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Post by 60isolderthanithot on Dec 9, 2009 9:50:01 GMT -5
A couple of large garbage bags full of clothing intended for donation didn't make it through the rain. I'm not sure what happened but the top is open on one and there's a hole in the side of the other. Anyway, I can't donate wet clothes. But it's also a big job to wash them again.
My thought to throw them away is based on knowing that 85% of donated clothing is sold to resellers in bulk, containerloads at a time, and sent overseas. There is an indirect "donation" of money to the charity from that but somehow, thinking of two little bags in a whole seatainer ... it's less imperative than if they were headed for another charity where I know they actually clothe people for job interviews. They do not sell the clothes.
Maybe I'm being l**y? I just washed them! But now they're wet and I suppose dirty from water that washed off the roof. I don't really feel like doing it again but I feel bad that I blew such a simple task.
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Post by DJ on Dec 9, 2009 10:13:08 GMT -5
A. if being charitable leaves you feeling grinchy, i wouldn't do it. being charitable is excellent. Stretching your limits of comfort to be charitable can also be excellent. However... you are here, at SoS to get help with squalor. I wouldn't tell an alcoholic to do a winery tour because "it's for a good cause" I wouldn't insist that someone dealing with sexual abuse at the hands of a man volunteer at a men's prison because, "it'd help others" and I don't see how pushing yourself into doing something that damages your recovery is charitable or good in the long run. B. if it helps you to justify how the donation is used that's cool, but you don't have to justify it. you don't get to hurt other people when you're recovering from something but you Do Not Have TO Hurt Yourself Either. You Don't. Period. You are a worthwhile and valuable human being, just like the nameless & faceless people you feel an obligation to help. I am sure you have, and will continue to do many things for other people, but this one's obviously weighing you down. You don't have to do it. If it hinders your progress in being a whole, healthy and well person it's also leaving you less able to contribute to society in the future, it is leaving you less capable of caring for you, and you are every bit as valuable as the unknown people you want to help. You don't have to have a justification for simple self care. You are worth it. C. You're still a worthwhile human. I wouldn't call you l*zy and i don't see why you should call yourself that either. you are in a fix. you've had some bad experiences, they've taught you some things. some of them have been great survival skills and some of them have led to a bit of hoarding. that does NOT make you l*zy. and you didn't "blow a simple task" you did your best. getting through difficult economic times after a difficult life is the task, and you are getting through it. a few bags of clothing were collateral damage, i think you are doing -very- well. sorry, i haven't had a lot of sleep. i just don't think you deserve some of the harsh thoughts you were giving yourself. i'll go make a cup of coffee and mind my manners for another 24 hours or so  |
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Post by pegasus48 on Dec 9, 2009 10:23:16 GMT -5
Toss them. Declare amnesty and toss them. They are not worth the extra work of rewashing.
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escape
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 89 
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Post by escape on Dec 9, 2009 10:24:31 GMT -5
Agree with Djollydjolan. You aren'te shirking your duties, you're being realistic about how you spend your time & energy. I'm sure you can find a better use for both than relaundering stinky wet clothes that may end up on a slow boat to who knows where.
-escape
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Post by mouseanne on Dec 9, 2009 10:25:00 GMT -5
Sorry, 60, so frustrating for you.  If they are not too heavy for you to carry... and you have transportation.... see if the animal shelter will take them "as is" they will use what they can for animal bedding and toss the rest... they have washer/dryer and volunteers... who will re-wash them. Remembering: our stuff serves us, not we serve our stuff. We are the owner, not the custodian. You have no obligation to those clothes. Don't have to find the "perfect recipient". You spent the $ on it, used them, now they no longer serve you. You are de-squaloring...you CAN toss them guilt-free. love, mightymouseanne |
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Post by 60isolderthanithot on Dec 9, 2009 11:09:16 GMT -5
Anne, okay! A couple of phone calls won't hurt and are easy. If they'll take them wet, it's fine. Otherwise, I have other stuff to rescue that actually matters to me personally. I need to work some more before the rains come back.
THANKS, people!
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Post by 60isolderthanithot on Dec 9, 2009 14:19:56 GMT -5
It was a good idea but I'm afraid local animal shelters are too busy to take in donations that don't translate to money in an obvious way. I'll toss those bags the next time I go outside.
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Post by dailystruggle on Dec 9, 2009 14:23:27 GMT -5
Hey 60, I would say toss them, but if it causes you this much emotional grief, then like the other person said, make a couple of calls.
I don't know about your area, but mine has little red metal boxes, kind of like mailboxes, but taller, everywhere for clothing donations. I have a hard time believeing that the clothes in there don't get wet, especially of late since we've had quite a bit of rain. I'm absolutely certain that they clean the clothes as well, because those metal boxes would be perfect for animals/insects to get into. If you do have the red donation boxes in your area, it probably wouldn't hurt to put them in there. They probably check them often, so the clothes shouldn't get ruined.
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Post by wendy on Dec 9, 2009 14:59:08 GMT -5
60,
I'd toss them. You TRIED to donate them, but you've run into a major snag. I think this situation truly merits amnesty, with no second thoughts!
Wendy
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Post by gettingsomewhere on Dec 9, 2009 21:55:29 GMT -5
toss dear 60. amnesty, amnesty, amnesty.....
dj says it all. you are a wonderful woman, and have achieved sooo much. give these clothese no more thoughts.
i am gonna try and do the same with a mountain of stuff i have had piled in my dining room for the last couple of months.....
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Post by success19 on Dec 9, 2009 22:53:24 GMT -5
I agree toss. It isn't worth the hassle for you.
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Post by houseworkhater on Dec 10, 2009 0:27:38 GMT -5
Amnesty for 60! Toss, toss, toss...you deserve this.
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Post by CaringFriend on Dec 11, 2009 1:50:40 GMT -5
Toss them. Declare amnesty and toss them. They are not worth the extra work of rewashing. Yeah.......what she said. |
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Post by creativechaos on Dec 11, 2009 3:12:54 GMT -5
toss em, 60is, you tried valiantly. give yourself amnesty.
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Post by Chris on Dec 11, 2009 8:30:23 GMT -5
I would toss them. Prior to being here and learning about amnesty I would have felt bad doing that. I've never liked spending water, electricity, soap and time washing & drying and folding things that I am unsure of their final usefulness -- but now I just do the best I can and in a case like this I give myself amnesty.
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