I have a lot of junk in my place and in my car, I hate to throw away anything on the count that it might be valuable information later. However, it just looks tacky and messy in my car and in my place. If I stack and organize it, it still looks like junk. How do I get out of the "pack rat" frame of mind. I hate seeing excessive stuff, however, it's hard for me to just start throwing stuff away. Maybe I should hire somebody to throw my stuff away that way I don't feel guilty about throwing it away. I'm joking! Seriously, anybody know any solutions for this problem I have?
2006-11-27 10:27:33 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
oh lord! lol. I live with one of those. You need to get an outside source to help you. Someone who knows that you are a pack rat. That way there is no "buts" about getting rid of things. They will help you sort out what you need and what you don't. Perhaps a mom? or a best friend? Someone who knows the value of things, and what importance some items may have in your life. You dont want to go throwing away everything now, so this is best. If you try to do it yourself, you will only stop and realize that everything has SOME sort of meaning...this makes it more difficult. I suggest a friend who is willing to help. Make it fun ^_^
2006-11-27 10:30:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start throwing things away. If you can't get started, or can't decide WHAT to throw away, get a good friend who understands you to help. As to the frame of mind that created your pack-rat habits (I'm don't know if it's truly a compulsion), you might consider whether or not you're still in the situation you were when you started keeping stuff. If your financial situation has improved (lots of people become pack-rats when they've been through hard times financially), then look at it with the question, "Can it be replaced if I *must* have it?" Chances are, then answer will be "yes" most of the time, and that's something you can toss. Good luck!
2006-11-27 10:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am SO like you. It feels like you got that thing from somewhere/someone and you feel obliged to keep it. My room used to be all messy like yours too. I have a method but it kind of takes a long time. Step 1 is to see if you have ANYTHING that you could throw away imediatly. Examples include wrappers, broken pencils etc. When you throw those away, find the things you're unsure of. Make a list mentally of why you need to keep it. Or ask yourself questions, like "When was the last time I used this?" "What did I buy it for?" "Did someone important give it to me?" If there are less reasons to keep it than to throw it away, I would get rid of it. I know it's REALLY REALLY hard the first time, but I had to get through it because I could seriously hardly walk on my floor; it was PACKED with stuff. For the items that you really need to keep, and I mean reeeeally need to, keep them. You can repeat the process a couple of weeks later too. If you have some expensive items try selling them on Ebay or some other place so you could get "rewarded" for giving it away. And with the cash you could buy something new! (But not too much lol) Hope I helped =)
2006-11-27 10:36:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did not get the "pack rat" gene from my dad, thank goodness. My mom is moving to a smaller house, my dad is in a nursing home now. We are trying to help her clean out everything he brought home over a 40 year period. It's incredible. And none of us remember him bringing it in! She bought the new house 3 months ago, and is still in the old one too. It will take us another 4-5 months to get rid of everything. And I am being totally serious.
I go through my closets, cabinets every season, if I haven't used it in a year, I get rid of it. Only keep sentimental trinkets, I don't buy what I don't need. I don't care if it is a "great deal", if it doesn't have an immediate purpose, I don't get it. I take clothes and housewares to the Goodwill, sell books I've read at Half-Price books. I don't keep magazines, catalogs, etc. If it has a date on it, I trash it after a year.
Oh, I had an apartment fire too. That made me realize how much I had, that I didn't miss after it was gone. I only replaced what was necessary. I don't recommend that though....it was hard losing things I loved.
2006-11-27 10:46:53 · answer #4 · answered by msuzyq 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm also a pack rat. I'm moving in 3 weeks to a new home & I don't want to bring all my junk to the new house, I'm trying to sort it all out. I'm going to have a garage sale. The thought of making some money helps me to part with alot of stuff, & thinking about how much I want to have my new house all clean & organized is helping, but I'm still having a hard time parting with some stuff. Good Luck!!!
2006-11-27 11:45:42 · answer #5 · answered by Sherrie L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in, for FREE
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
2006-11-28 05:59:34 · answer #6 · answered by LIz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start by throwing small things away and work your way up!
2006-11-27 10:40:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a garage sale! You'll get such a joy out of making so much money, you'll wanna sell everything!
2006-11-27 10:35:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
set a fire
2006-11-27 10:30:23 · answer #9 · answered by tjmgyo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋