mariposatx
New Member
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 16
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Post by mariposatx on Feb 16, 2009 14:03:15 GMT -5
Hi, I've always considered myself a packrat but only in the past few years have I begun to see it as a problem. My house is not in squalor, looks pretty normal on the surface, but if you open a drawer or closet you'll see they are all stuffed with so much junk, mostly saved "just in case" it's needed, that they are virtually unusable. The garage hasn't had a car in it in years and is full of boxes and junk saved because it's too good to throw out, but that hasn't been used in years, if ever.
I always assumed I'd clean it out "one of these days" but when my husband died 5 years ago it hit me, if something happens to me my family would be stuck dealing with all the junk. So I started trying to deal with it and realized it wasn't as easy as I'd assumed it'd be. I discovered Freecycle, where you give stuff to people who can use it and that has been great because I can get rid of things that Goodwill won't take, but it's time consuming to sort through the stuff, write up a description, post and then arrange for pickup. It does make it easier for me to give stuff up, the people I've met have been so nice and appreciative but it is a slow process.
I knew it was a problem when I took a bunch of stuff to a friend's garage sale and realized that I'd put a box of clothes in that weren't meant to be sold. I then proceeded to worry that other things I didn't mean to sell were in there also. To this day I feel anxious when I think of it, did I sell something I really wanted to keep? Then last week my mom cleaned out part of the garage and threw out a bunch of stuff and I was sick wondering what she'd tossed out and ended up going through trash bags at midnight because the next day was trash day. I rescued a bunch of junk I could easily live without but that was "too good" to throw away. That was the night I joined this group. I needed someone to understand, and you all did. It was such a help to me!
I have a daughter in 3rd grade, a full time job, and a long commute, so I don't have much chance to post, but I will definitely read here all I can and post when I need to. Thank you all for being there!
-Mariposa
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packy
New Member
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by packy on Feb 16, 2009 15:00:09 GMT -5
Hi Mariposa and welcome!
I am a newbie too. I have only been on this board about a week. Everyone here is very encouraging and give wonderful tips. Just read and keep reading.
My house sounds like yours in that it is clean for the most part but jammed with stuff. I have done the Working in Threes challenge and it is great! Give it a try.
A friend of mine had told me about Freecycle but I have not used it yet. I just was not in the mood to register that day. It sounds like it might not be the fastest way to get rid of things but sounds like a good option to throwing out that "useful" item. I also find it difficult to throw out items that are or seem useful.
You are not alone in sorting through trash! My husband now knows better than to try to "help" me with sorting, although every now and then he slips. He started picking up papers in the car the other day and I finally yelled to get him to stop. I tend to write a lot of lists, scribble numbers and things I need to remember, so what may look like trash to him, might be something I need. In truth, I can probably get the information elsewhere in most cases but there is always that nagging feeling of "could that have been something I really needed?".
So, good for you for joining us! I do understand your situation and you are amongst friends.
Packy
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Post by valor on Feb 16, 2009 20:47:33 GMT -5
Amnesty is a very helpful concept. It can assist us in getting unstuck  I absolutely think it's good to utilize cycle-free  sell things online, donate to charity--but sometimes we can get paralyzed and we have to give ourselves amnesty. I have had a part in clearing a deceased loved one's small abode. My loved one was a cleanie, born-organized person. It was still hard work and emotionally draining, and I even had help. I would not want anyone having to close out my home, continue on after me etc, to have any extra burden. "Getting it together" can be really difficult for me at times-this group has been great. Ya gots friends here  |
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Post by crazycatlady on Feb 16, 2009 21:15:49 GMT -5
Welcome, MariposaTX. I'm so sorry for your loss.  Sounds like you are already making progress on letting things go. But like Valor said, sometimes it is ok just to let things go to the trash. I know I threw out stuff that still could have been useful to someone. But the less stuff I have around, the easier it is to drop a bag or two off at the Salvation Army.
Keep reading and posting when you can. This place can help inspire you to let some of the excess go, so that you can find those real treasures more easily.
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Post by Ican on Feb 17, 2009 2:05:54 GMT -5
Hello & Welcome! |
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Post by eatingbonbons on Feb 17, 2009 12:04:09 GMT -5
Welcome, mariposatx!
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Post by messymimi on Feb 17, 2009 20:04:20 GMT -5
Welcome, Mariposa !
It's good to have you here.
messymimi
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