tayb
New Member
Joined: June 2023
Posts: 2
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Post by tayb on Jun 6, 2023 18:35:05 GMT -5
This is my first time joining a forum like this after coming up empty with internet searches. I'm 21 and live with my grandparents, my grandmother is scattered across the levels. We have:
1. Rodent infestations
2. Cockroach infestations
3. 2 unusable rooms, one because of clutter, one because of animal waste and clutter
4. Visible clutter outdoors
5. Large piles of clutter nearly ceiling high
6. Dining area is unusable due to clutter
7. Furniture items built but unable to be placed in their proper areas due to clutter (we have a full size dresser in the dining room)
I'm here for advice for my own room. Growing up with a hoarder(?) I picked up a lot of the "sentimentality" things that prevents people from getting rid of things even if they'll never use them again. It's difficult to even try and clean my room because of the clutter in other rooms. I'm a collector and collect figurines and models of things I like, and I'm paranoid that I'm just like my grandmother, even though my trinkets are organized. I have plans to sell some of my things, but in other spots I have no idea what to do. I can provide photos of my room if needed for advice, thank you so much for reading!
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Post by wynken on Jun 6, 2023 21:42:10 GMT -5
Welcome taybStarting in your own room is a good idea. Do you have any ideas of what you want to do in there? On getting rid of anything - The easiest place to start us with the obvious trash/ garbage / rubbish. Do you have a waste basket/ bin in there? That can be helpful. Getting the bag of trash to the bin without too much delay is another step to learn to do. Congratulate yourself and be pleased with every step you make is another essential thing to do to reinforce all positive action.    |
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tayb
New Member
Joined: June 2023
Posts: 2
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Post by tayb on Jun 6, 2023 23:24:07 GMT -5
I hope replying like this works? I haven't interacted with a forum in over a decade so I'm a bit lost, sorry.
My ultimate goal is to get rid of all the little things that should be gone/tossed, as well as excess clothes. My biggest issue is having even the smallest sentimental attachment make me hesitate to get rid of things, as well as holding onto clothes because "I might wear it someday". I've gotten rid of 20+ large trash bags of clothes (donated!)
But I have a lot of small trinkets, and some things I don't use anymore but have attachments to. Even if it's the smallest thing I feel bad just thinking about getting rid of it, so my room is full of small things like that that make it very busy. One example is a christmas present I got years ago. It's a remote controlled BB-8, but because of the hoarding it's basically useless, I've thought about selling it but I feel bad because it's a present, but it's been opened once. It's a struggle :/
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Post by papermoon on Jun 7, 2023 4:27:30 GMT -5
Welcome, tayb ! You'll soon get used to posting here. It's a great community, with wonderful support and resources. Since your first post is in the "public" section where anybody can read it, you might like to post a new thread in one of the forums in the "members only" section if you want more privacy. Click on the "Home" tab (upper left) to find the forums for members only. But feel free to start a thread anywhere with anything on your mind... a certain goal, an area of your room or your collections, or a shared area of your home, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Try to avoid taking on too many things at once. Baby steps will keep you moving forward without getting overwhelmed. There's an old saying we declutterers have: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. |
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Post by hedy on Jun 7, 2023 11:24:42 GMT -5
One example is a christmas present I got years ago. It's a remote controlled BB-8, but because of the hoarding it's basically useless, I've thought about selling it but I feel bad because it's a present, but it's been opened once. It's a struggle :/ Hello, tayb :) FWIW, here's a question that helps me: Do you think the person who gave you that present would want you to be unhappy? If you could ask her/him for "permision" to dispose of it because NOW it's making you unhapoy - what do you think that person would feel/say? If they love(d) you, I am sure they would encourage you to dispose of it ASAP.
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Post by def6 on Jun 12, 2023 11:05:16 GMT -5
Welcome taybFirst of all, Congratulations on getting 20 large bags out, That's major! Your little robot needs some space to run on the floor...I hope you can find room for what you love.  |
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Post by joyinvirginia on Jun 12, 2023 13:34:42 GMT -5
Welcome tayb! You have made a great start getting out so much!
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Post by missjean on Jul 11, 2023 7:20:09 GMT -5
Congratulations on the work you've done so far! I was/am a collector, too.
My suggestion is to try out having less visual clutter for a few days. See how it feels. Rate your pieces. Pull out your Top 10 (or 15, 20) and box up the rest. If you have a set and it bothers you to break it up, mark the box with the name of the series and put it aside.
As for selling things, I'd advise you to just donate things if your selling point is also your purchasing point. If you belong to any community (RL or virtual) that encourages your purchases, cut back your time spent with them. I don't use Etsy, Amazon, Good Reads, etc. If you feel the urge to add to your collection, open a box and add something back.
If you're not familiar with the term "sunk costs", please look it up. I finally understood it when I helped a relative shop for apartment necessities at a Salvation Army. I found items identical to my "treasures" being sold for well below what I paid.
Good luck!
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Post by notanotherdecade on Jul 11, 2023 13:48:36 GMT -5
Welcome @taybe it sounds like you've got quite a bit of insight into how your mind works. that's going to be valuable in making progress..
We'll done on emptying out your unwanted clothes, , , being able to trim down the ornament collection will help you see your favourite things, and move about the room with ease..
You're young enough to start new habits and become a very different person from your grandmother.
I'm sorry that you have to share the house with pests, there are a few threads in the forum on tackling them.
The Introduction section is in the public part of the forum, you can start a thread in the members only part of the forum, for a bit more privacy.
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