AIBU to seek help after taking items from school lost property?

You are a thief. These items are usually donated to the needy at the end of the year.
No excuses. You are untrustworthy and a devious thief. Hope that helps you correct your mistakes.

This is bordering on kleptomania. You are justifying it fo yourself as 'necessary recycling' but it isn't recycling or your job to deal with these items.

There is a psychological cycle to kleptomania, similar to OCD. You need to seek professional support.

If going to the GP feels too heard you could start by ringing a MH helpline or using their online Chat facility.
is it a compulsion like you OCD compulsions?

How can parents claim them back if you are helping yourself to them first? It is stealing and you can absolutely help yourself.

Think about how embarrassed your children will be when you are caught.

A parent might be struggling. They paid for uniform, their kid left it somewhere as kids do. You then thieve it before they can get it back and make money you don't need.

You’re stealing. Stop making excuses. Go and speak to the GP if you really can’t help it.

This isn’t an impulse though is it? You’ve thought it through and done it more than once.

It’s stealing, maybe think of the terrible example you’re setting your kids and stop doing it.

Also make a large donation to the school.

The first step is to be honest with yourself. You're not selling stuff on vinted by impulse.

There are several steps in the process; start thinking about what they are and how you can intervene to redirect your behaviour.

When you catch yourself thinking 'I'm recycling and that's good', tell yourself 'STOP' and remind yourself you are stealing, which is not good.
Take the items out of the box then put them straight back.
Return the items you've taken but haven't sold.

Ask your GP about cognitive behaviour therapy. You really need to do something to help yourself before you are caught.

Do you have diagnosed OCD as in to DSM diagnostic guidelines?

You know what you’re doing is wrong, It causes you anxiety and you feel guilty. Stealing it, listing, selling, posting, that’s quite a process with lots of ‘stopping points’ along the way. Just stop?

You’re stealing and making a profit from your thefts. You ARE at fault and you need to stop before people notice what you’re doing.

You're not recycling, you are stealing and profiting from that. Left over lost property is usually used as spares for children in school or given to families in need, or sold at a second hand school shop or stall to raise money for the school. Do not justify your behaviour as a good deed. Consider CBT to address your cognitive deficits

I think you should see your GP, as there must be an underlying reason for this impulsive behaviour.

it really unreasonable- like if the parents wanted those things back surely they would just claim them not leave them there,

Yes, it’s unreasonable. It’s ‘lost property’ not ‘help yourself’. You’re not giving people a chance to reclaim their property, so it’s stealing.

also it’s not my fault f I can’t help myself?

You are self-aware enough to know it’s stealing, so it is your fault. But it’s also within your power to get help before this behaviou escalates into something that could hurt you and your kids, like stealing from shops.

It sounds like there’s a lot of thought and decision making going into this, meaning it’s far beyond “impulse”. You’re making a choice to take the items and sell them. There are quite some steps in between. If it makes you feel bad then you should stop.

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