Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

R u a Hoarder to?

1stepup61Senior Contributor13 July 2016, 12:19 am AEST

R u a Hoarder to?

Hi, I watched SBS Insight show on hoarding & i think somethings not right with me, because I think I am a hoarder to? Does anyone else have this problem to? I became this way after my breakdown & I sometimes wonder if i will ever overcome hoarding because it does feel overwhelming at times! i would be interested to hear others stories as wel. Thanks, Step up

24 replies

1 - 10 of 24

1 2 3

In response to: R u a Hoarder to?

Unknown userMember13 July 2016, 1:02 am AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Yes @1stepup61,, big problem here ; ( Even sleeping in the loungeroom atm.
A new strategy i'm trying is packing & labelling boxes as if I'm going to move, swpa reate thrm in a pile but mark them 'GS' (garage sale) Later, if it doesn't sell, it stayz on the veranda for 'Charity' pick up.These are things I am not using and not likely to ever use. I'm lucky i have a spare room to store the boxes etc & to do sorting. I'm also putting a price on them for the garage sale. Once these boxes are packed they stay that way until a Removalist truck takes them away. You see i'm pretending I'm moving. So far i have filled a whole corner of the room.a
I think with MI our brain has trouble organising thought processes & this shows in our environment. Its taken determination to create my pile of boxes but only because my brain parts doesn't think I'm getting rid of it, only packing.
Of cause we have to stop buying. I visit op shops, its an addiction. Sometimes money is so tight I'm scared i'm gonna blow it so i just don't go out and live on baked beans.
Gave you tried anything?

In response to: Re: R u a Hoarder to?

1stepup61Senior Contributor13 July 2016, 1:25 am AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Hi Tawney, i was taught exposure therapy by an OT & I found it very emotional. I have worked out so far, its about safety for me, having the things around me. Since my breakdown, i have been scared to go forward and open up my life to people again, so stuff keeps me in and them out i guess. i like your idea of thinking your moving and packing! Oh well! It does become to much, but i find it hard to think about, sorting out, where to start? Step up

In response to: Re: R u a Hoarder to?

1stepup61Senior Contributor13 July 2016, 1:36 am AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Also Tawney, i think you are right about our brains thought processes, because i have felt the confusion my brain has when i am faced with stuff to sort out, its overwhelming and scary because i find it difficult to think how to now. Did u see insight show tonight? Step up

In response to: Re: R u a Hoarder to?

NikNikSenior Contributor13 July 2016, 7:16 pm AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Hi @1stepup61 I just wanted to post here and @mention @Former-Member for you, as she may not have seen your post to her.

If you put a @before their username, you will be able to get their attention and an email notification will be sent to them.

Kind Regards,
Nik

In response to: Re: R u a Hoarder to?

1stepup61Senior Contributor13 July 2016, 10:12 pm AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Hi @NikNik, thanks for the hint of the@ as i have just figured it out, thanks! @1stepup61

In response to: R u a Hoarder to?

Unknown userMember13 July 2016, 10:48 pm AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

@1stepup61, @NikNik, It wont work with this black duck anyway guys, i switched off notifications because i became overwhelmed with them all, even all likes & all comments not relevant to me, have trouble wading through it all so switched it off (wish clutter would stop so easy lol), no, i Just check in different threads when I Log in. Still finding my way.

No I didn't watch insight 1stepup, was it good? Plz give me a run down of the best bits. I'll come find you. 👀👣

In response to: Re: R u a Hoarder to?

BlueBellsSenior Contributor13 July 2016, 11:57 pm AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Hi peeps 🙂

Yes, I have a problem with hoarding, though no where like the ones on tv. I didn't see the show you refer to, but the hoarding shows, Hoarder Next Door, and Buried Alive...I know there are others.

I like the ones that have the therapists working with the people. I have learnt a lot about myself, and why I might have the hoarding tendency.

I also think that, for me, a lot comes from childhood. We re-used things, and clothes were handed down, we kept things that might be needed later on.

Nowadays, it's a throw-away society, everything is pushed buy, buy, buy, and then throw, throw , throw.....but I think some of us get the modern buy buy buy, but the old keep, keep, keep.

We couldn't easily buy new stuff, we didn't have the money, so we valued things more. I think I find it hard to throw out, even donate or garage sale, because of this old "it may be needed one day' upbringing.

Overwhelming? Yep, I live with that, and that's why I avoid buying more, I simply don't go to op shops unless I am looking for something specific, and I am learning to only buy if I am really needing it.

for about 20 years I virtually never went to op shops, garage or clearing sales or even markets, as I needed to break the buying habit, though I was never that bad, really.

Most of my clutter is inherited (when parents died) and that is hard to get rid of (20 odd years down the track, even. )

Hard to read what I've written on this teensy window, so, I'll post and see what happens 😄

Hugs 🙂 🙂 🙂

In response to: Re: R u a Hoarder to?

1stepup61Senior Contributor20 July 2016, 3:36 am AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Hi @BlueBells, i like the show with the therapists as well, as i have learnt about hoarding from them, the other shows with out the therapists are a bit harsh on the hoarder. For me my stuff is about keeping me safe. No-one can come in or me out, but the therapy i am having and my medication is helping. i am feeling nearly ready to begin the clean up & sort out. i made a decision the other day, of just focusing on each day. i know it will take a long time to get through it, but i think the best way for me , is like on the tv show working through it so slowly, as it is personal, all my stuff & like you, all the memories. Bye for now, @1stepup61 Thanks for your reply, sorry for being late. Bye

In response to: Re: R u a Hoarder to?

BlueBellsSenior Contributor21 July 2016, 12:08 pm AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Hi @1stepup61 🙂

On BB I would have just said " Hi Steps" hahaha. Still haven't got my head around this site, probably a psych would have a field day as to why 😄 😄 😄 😄

Years ago I came across a site, Get Organised Now, and it helped so much, but I find now it's a bit commercialised (seems to be the way everything goes) and the peripherals overwhelm me. (that's my issue with Sane, as compared with BlueBoard)

No idea if I can mention those sites, see what happens.

Are you meaning, with the comment "no-one can come in or me out" that you have yourself sort of 'boxed in" with stuff? And that is your security, to be surrounded by it all?

I'm screwed up, I work way better in a very clear environment - clear table, benches, floors, sparse furnishings. Soooo.....why have I got all this "stuff" that drives me up the wall, and I get overwhelmed when I try to get rid of it???

One idea is to work on just one shelf or drawer at a time, and when that is done, reward yourself with a cuppa or such, or a walk.

I've tried to get one room clear, and then bring in one box at a time, and try to sort that. Emphasis on "try".

At least with the grand children being here so often, I have most of the house neatish (3 year olds help put the pressure on 😄 )

Good to hear from you 🙂 (and you thought you were late replying 😄 😄 😄 )

Hugs 🙂 🙂 🙂

In response to: Re: R u a Hoarder to?

BlueBellsSenior Contributor16 Sept 2023, 6:18 pm AEST

Re: R u a Hoarder to?

Hi @NatureLover

Well, that made me look!! I read through the posts, and came across one and I thought "wow, I could have written that!!"

I did lol. About 7 years ago and I haven't made a lot of progress . Working on it though.

Thank you for the Blast from the Past ,

hugs oxoxox

1 - 10 of 24

1 2 3