help I am a packrat of mega proportions. I am totally unscheduled and maybe have add as I am so distractible.

Question

I want to force myself to throw away some of my stuff and be more organized. I went from a big house with basement and attic to a small townhouse to a tiny apartment. I have a gigantic storage shed full, another storage shed I built on my mom's, one half the attic at my mom's and some of garage and her I filled up 5 of the storage sheds (smaller)..I am only supposed to have one but people did 't use them..the house is full.

I get emotionally attacked to everything. I may be moving in a year or so to a slightly bigger place. If it is away, I do not think of it but feel safe..when I look through it I do not want to throw a lot of it away but cannot bring it here. I am thinking of working on my house first and then tackling the boxes--maybe going through and throwing some away and organizing contents so I know what is where.

for instance, I have about 20 boxes of children's clothes that have been in storage years--my youngest is 27 now and oldest is 34. I have several toy boxes

that the kids do not want but I am emotionally attacked to..I have maybe 60 picture albums and probably 100 boxes of papers..I have no clue where to start or how to force myself to throw some of this away..I fill eventually I will be happier and less stressed if I can get rid of it..how do packrat compulsive, very emotional types do this. please help as I am trying to do some self improvement I am a sanguine melocholy by nature and am INSP (meijer's briggs) and I think this is part of it. I also compulsively shop and since I am poor use thrift stores and dollar stores to feel better but really this messes me up..I also have a great deal of trouble cleaning house..it is always a mess.

Answer 1

You seem to know what the problem is and you know how to fix it but do not wish to fix it. The problem is working for you at least some of the time. As you said yourself, the stuff is filling an emotional need and making you feel better.

There are many strategies for fixing the problem including sorting into piles, throwing away things you haven't used in years, getting better storage systems, etc. They don't address the underlying problem which is your emotional attachment to continue to live in a way that makes you very upset.

If you address the root of your attachment then you could easily clean things up in a few weeks as you have obviously thought about it. Otherwise, you will simply (as you stated yourself) get rid of the stuff you have and then get more to replace it.

It might help to read articles about the psychology of hoarding such as the one below. Hoarding may ultimately be an inability to make decisions. I'm sure all of us have this problem to one extent or another. Good luck!

http://discovermagazine.com/2004/oct/psychology-of-hoarding/

Answer 2

Get a friend or family member to help you, they will be able to be objective through your emotional attachments.
Start in one room, or small closet .
Get 4 boxes.
1.Throw away ( obvious junk, trash, bits of paper etc.)
2.Donate ( this box is a good alternative for usefull items, you will soon find it easier to part with items that someone else may find a use for)
3.Save ( ASK is it necessary, do I need to have this or am I saving it for emotional reasons?)
4.Undecided ( if its taking to long to decide place it here to go back to later)
Really special items like childrens clothing or a toy, limit your self to two items.This will allow you a sentimental keepsake, but prevent you from keeping too much.
Obviously this will take some time. Tell your self, Progress over perfection.
Remind yourself these items are NOT fulfilling you emotionally, you have formed unrealistic ties to them and need to set yourself free.
You may have difficulty starting, that's okay, at least you are starting.
If you find it too overwhelming you may need to seek some professional counseling to deal with it.

Answer 3

Ok start by anything that you have not used or forgot you even had in the last 6 months throw away. chances are you had no use for them so the future is probly even less likley that you will need any of that stuff. all the toy boxes and boxes of clothes donate them to the salvation army, its not just throwing away something that can be used but its tax deductable aswell. the papers carry the same 6 mo rule. shread anything that is not birth certificates, and vip documents. then the stuff that you are left with papers get a filing cabnent and its nice and organized. it will be hard to get rid of your stuff but lets face it all the space you had and the years passing by you, you just accumelated too much stuff

Answer 4

One approach would be to think about when the last time was that you looked at or used an item. If you haven't looked at or used an item for, say, a year, consider tossing it (unless it's a photo album or something like that).

Also, give away as much of your discards as you can to charity, and think about the good that it will do for someone else. That might make you feel better about parting with it.

I know, it can be hard to toss stuff. I get attached to things, too, and that's the criteria that I use when I have to get rid of stuff.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Photos, certificates, diplomas are always keepers.
ALL clothing, toys, etc.. that kids do not want and you are not going to need, must go.
Label one medium sized box with each kid's name. Put favorite school papers, toys, etc.. into that box - - do NOT start 2nd box nor get larger box. Limit yourself.
If have furniture, curtains, etc.. that you will not be currently using, get rid of that too. Your personal clothing: if you will never fit into it again or every use it - - dispose of it also.

Hard to part with stuff, take a couple of pictures of each item then get rid of it. It is tough; but for the best.

Answer 6

you need to have a huge garage sale or if you dont need the money get it to a donation center for the needy. some will even come pick it up.