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Post by sunshineshouse on Jun 11, 2008 18:01:12 GMT -5
I am trying to change my hoarding ways and I've been reading the book, The Clutter Cure by Judi Culbertson (2007). THIS book, of the many I've bought to find the "cure," seems to be the most helpful to my hoarder mentality. I know the current thinking is that hoarding is an OCD behavior which is difficult to change. Yes, yes, yes. I'm stubborn about it - I don't WANT to throw this stuff away -- and I think it's a control thing with me. (Maybe fear is in there too.) Also I think it's a demand resistance thing with "Yes, they want me to get a dumpster and throw stuff out and, well, I'm not going to do it!!" (...she says defiantly with hands on hips). I like this book because the author talks you through some reasons WHY you might want to get rid of things and poses questions to ask yourself when you think you should keep something. One particular example which comes to mind is the used birthday candles in the kitchen drawer. She asks -- once the candles have been blown out and the celebration is over -- haven't the candles served their purpose? Should the next celebrant get used candles? And so on. The book is not about cleaning methods but dealing with the reasons we keep so much stuff to begin with. I'm still resisting throwing things out, but I DID throw away some old birthday candles yesterday! I've got lots of old stuff around here. Maybe I can start THINKING about letting some of it go. Not ready for action yet, but I'll try to get the thought processes going in that direction.
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Post by creativechaos on Jun 11, 2008 20:18:56 GMT -5
Thanks so much for writing and reviewing why this book is helpful to you! I think the main thing as a hoarder is to challenge my way of thinking about things I hoard, and this book seems to have some questions to help challenge that I am incapable (with my thought distortions and emotional attachments) to clearly think of. I believe lasting change comes from challenging our thinking and replacing our faulty thinking with clearer thinking, so thanks; I'll be checking this book out sunshine!
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Post by sunshineshouse on Jun 12, 2008 9:42:21 GMT -5
Yes, creativechaos, you've said it exactly! -- challenge your way of thinking with questions. I would normally hesitate to recommend a book (most of us have tooooo many!). The author also asks you to create a vision or a fantasy for each room in your house as part of the process. If items don't fit into your vision for any room, you might be able to toss them more easily. I discovered last night that the book mentions squalorsurvivors.com in two different places - one in the chapter which deals specifically with hoarders, and again in the resources section.
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Post by roseoftexas on Jun 13, 2008 0:05:23 GMT -5
...I discovered last night that the book mentions squalorsurvivors.com in two different places - one in the chapter which deals specifically with hoarders, and again in the resources section. Well isn't that interesting! How cool! I have seen many articles refer people to childrenofhoarders.com but have never seen any references to SS, which bugged me. Glad to hear this author is spreading the word about SS! Thanks for sharing!  |
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hollymaid
New Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 99
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Post by hollymaid on Jun 13, 2008 10:05:31 GMT -5
I am glad the book is working for you!
Do you want to loose 50lbs instantly.... toss out all your old dusty diet books!
I will be checking out that book but, from the library so as not to add to my already cluttered book self.
I must admit I buy allot of self help books. I keep thinking that the answer is in there somewhere. (yeah, right) the only thing getting thinner is my wallet. The only thing getting happier is the publishers. I have to admit some of the parenting books I pick up were helpful.
I love books~ My goal is to read for enjoyment, read a story or a trashy romance. No more self-help books.
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