The Hoarders Anonymous Thread Part Three...Still Sorting It Out ~ Together!

[Solo]

Are you are any of the following? Can you be described as a clutterbug? Are you a hoarder, in a mess, untidy, disorganised, lazy with housework that has lead to something that you now feel unable to deal with. If you are ill and not coping with the housework. If you are emotionally attached to items for whatever reason. If you cannot just ask someone in for a cuppa at a moments notice or dread the meter reader asking for access.

Are you nodding whilst reading any of these words? If you have a combination of any or all of these things or something completely different, please join us. No one here will judge you. We have something in common and we have a common goal. We share our ideas and we share our disappointments no matter how big and our celebrations no matter how small. We cheer one another along and drag the drowners from the depths of despair.

Join us; we don't bite :) Welcome to thread number 3.

*Onesie

hopefully it will be a bit warmer tomorrow. We have one fireplace in our house for emergencies, dh has chopped wood for it (only I now find that the emissions from wood fire are meant to be extremely bad for you) be sure to have a source of fresh air if you are using an old gas appliance Solo. boilers are a nightmare at best of times. but I always like when the plumber comes for one reason only, it forces me to clear out the understairs cupboard (where the gas connection is) even if most things go back there is always a few things i manage to throw away..

just been watching Blades of Glory with the two younger children, a fabulous film that despite our enormous collection of DVDs we don't seem to have! I love Will Ferrell.

I was surprisingly warm in bed last night. Need to get a move on and sort the back bedroom out. I will also put a Carbon Monoxide alarm in the living room; thanks for the reminder

cleared out some of dd's old schoolwork with her, recycled the paper bits
recycling in the bin
washed up all the saucepans in the garden
emptied all the vegetable compost that had been building up outside (too frozen to get to the compost heap)
watered some dried up camellias in pots outside from meltwater
wiped worktops
made lunch
swept floor
ds hoovered the tv room
unblocked the loo
cleaned the loo and basin not too bad and (scrubbed the bath yesterday - several weeks of grime there)
took two cushion covers off to wash/dry clean
picked up some rubbish in the garden
threw away some recycling from the post - catalogues etc however tempting

cold weather clothes everywhere now, we are sinking in thermals, and it is lovely and warm now drat.

That’s great progress! I’m intrigued though, do you mean that you brought in the saucepans that had been in the garden and washed them, or that you took all the saucepans and washed them in the garden? [nosey] :o

I have done bugger all, it’s just too hard to keep up with the day to day stuff ATM. I am panicking so much about moving.

I had put lots of very greasy burnt saucepans and baking tins in the garden as they didn't all fit in the sink and someone was coming round that day...several days later they were washed.. Dh had bought several baking tins which is why there were plenty spare..and he has been away for a week so I manage without!!

I've been bricking it over all the stuff -I had been avoidingthat needed to be done before he returned from his week's visit to his parents, like you Cag when I feel worried about all the things I need to do, I seize up. In the end i just did everything very fast this morning, and made ds help me and somehow most of it got done. No coffee though The eldest child was utterly useless as he lay in bed until it was all over [grr] dd cleverly just disappeared at lunchtime, at least one less demand.

Ah that makes sense! We just put that sort of thing in the old oven (did I mention we have an oven that doesn’t work, because we were too embarrassed to get anyone round to have it fixed... instead we have a tabletop one that takes up lots of counter space). 😳

Yep totally seize up. We are at an impasse with decluttering now. We’ve done all the big stuff. Got rid of so many toys, books, clothes etc. Left with all the random crap that doesn’t really have a category, and we have no idea what to do with.

I know really that there’s no point racing ahead with all the other stuff that needs doing because there is no escaping the fact that there is still too much clutter in this house 🙄 but I’m in such a state about sorting that. I really don’t know how to move forward.

DH hasn’t been around much lately, mostly work but a few other random commitments upcoming (nothing more will be added to that though until we are settled). So we are really behind with all the day to day stuff let alone anything else.

We also have lots of stuff in boxes that we do need to keep. For example baby’s next size clothes, toddler toys (just good quality basics like duplo) and picture books, Christmas decorations, games I’ve packed up etc. But there’s no space to put this stuff while we sort out the rest and it’s getting in the way. Can’t get it in the attic really (tiny crawl space, plus damp and dust and ugh). Can’t really hire a storage space either because having no car I’m not sure we could use it. This stuff won’t be a problem when we have more space (eg at the moment we are all sharing one built in wardrobe in our bedroom, but when we move the 3 DCs will obviously get their own storage, we will have 3 bedrooms rather than 2 (one of which is so small that in some countries estate agents couldn’t legally call it a bedroom) and much more space downstairs. But for now? It’s driving me batshit.

what about just piling all the stuff you don't know what to do with (yet you know there are things that you do need to keep in there, ie important papers/memorabilia) into large zip laundry bags you know the stripey plastic ones and just clearing the house that way? And sort it at your leisure in new house? I find that my problem is a kind of perfectionism when I start sorting, I like to do it properly and slowly considering each item. But sometimes it is worth just sweeping everything into transportable piles/rubble sacks? And piling them up in the corner of the room?

time is an issue here and you have three kids to look after whereas later as you say you will have more space and leisure possibly or just no time limit on sorting.

I actually did that recently on a small scale Cag I took all the little ornaments off a shelf and just put them in a drawer. Later I will declutter that drawer, but in the meantime I see a lovely clear shelf.

I’m really glad you said that! 💐 I have been considering something along those lines but I feel so guilty. We already have various BRCs (Bags of Random Crap) dotted around the house. But amalgamating them into one, or at least one set of stackable boxes or something, would be good, as they’d be all in the same place. And that may give me space to get other stuff in order. It may not need to then be left until we’ve moved (depends on housing list, we reckon maybe 3 months) but at least then it would be portable. If all the random stuff all over the place was at least contained, I would have much more space to sort other stuff. Or even then just be able to start on those things, knowing that I had all of it IYSWIM.

Amazingly the Caglets did a little decluttering this evening. Amazing what can be achieved with the telly off :o I was sorting a few bits in the bedroom (well, finally moving a pile of books into a box) and I suggested to DS that he could sort through his transformers. Amazingly he is getting rid of a third or so. They are one of his ASD obsessions so this is massive. DD was then inspired to sort her dolls out but wasn’t quite so successful. Still, it’s something.

I have had an overwhelming feeling of dread lately, that moving will make absolutely no difference to our quality of life in terms of clutter/disorganisation etc. I need to not rest on my laurels and think that everything will be better just because we have more space. I don’t think that’s true at all!

I mean, it unequivocally WILL be better. We will have an extra bedroom, and more space downstairs. We will have a garden. We will have a kitchen with more counter space which will make cooking easier. We will have a shower (a wetroom eventually due to my needs) which will save so much time. And all for about a third less than our current rent! I can’t wait! But what I mean is, I have to make sure we are in a position to really appreciate it (it is like a gift, we are very lucky) and make the most of it, not just squander what we are given by still being cluttered and messy and disorganised. I feel like we are improving. Certainly if I’d been given a bigger house a few years ago I would have been just as bad, because my mindset hadn’t changed. I’m definitely better about it all now, I don’t acquire so much and I can let things go, I’m better at keeping up with laundry etc. I still do Flylady to some extent and am really finding the ‘just do something’ principle helpful. But I feel like if we move with a load of clutter then it’ll just creep back in, and we will still be playing catch up forever. That said, is that just the perfectionism talking? 🤔

I think it will! That's why people upsize with kids, and downsize when they leave. It is perfectly normal to expand your territory with more mouths to feed and tend to. And you have decluttered a lot to make room for baby Caglet. what's not to be optimistic about, you've already shown your ability to cope flexibly. please don't worry and just enjoy the future possibilities.

Oooh! You two have been busy because I just know that you will have been busy with children if nothing much else Cag :) .

Reading about you both 'seizing up' is very much how I can feel too. I feel overwhelmed by so much needing to be done that I 'seize up'. Today, I have been sorting out some of the back bedroom which is full of crap that Ds left behind. I have a bag of rubbish from there. I also gave Dd a big cardboard box and told her that all her stuff had to fit into it and the stuff not in it would be thrown. Of course, I only mean her toys and craft things, not her clothes. Anyway, she started on it. I allocated a smaller but, still big box for Ds's stuff to go into so that I can take it to Mum's house and leave it with him. His books will be staying 100's of them) as Dd will likely read them and it will save me tons of money.
I also reheated casserole leftovers from yesterday, cooked vegetables, mash and gravy for dinner. Made Dd's lunch for school.
Unfortunately, having no radiators means the washing isn't drying well so, I've only done one full wash load this weekend. Not masses left but, I do like to try to keep on top of it.
Not being able to use my kitchen wall cupboards is a massive blow. I only have 2 under sink cupboards which are full of cleaning/washing/dishwashing stuff and one corner one that goes right back past the sink unit - impractical but, it holds some stuff I don't often need and another which holds a box of stuff I can't get to and my stone baking dishes. I have 2 drawers. I can't see my worktops again and everything is just balanced! My kitchen is dangerous well, my whole house is actually. It's ridiculous!

Wow- I've found my people.

Can I join in please?

Welcome Zoflora :) I tried answering last night just after you'd posted but, my laptop kept throwing me off.
Join in, say as much or as little as you feel comfortable with but, you'll get no judgements here :)

So, an urgent question for you all. My microwave is from 1985. The inner door thingy ((no idea!) crumbled 5 years ago after my mum used it and she's a slammer. It's sat there since as I've been unable to get the replacement part. I've found one on ebay - slightly different model (same as mums by coincidence) but it'll cost me £70 delivered. So, do I buy it and use it and store mine away - because I will never part with it, or do I buy it and swap the doors and store the 'new' microwave away?

Hi :)

I would use the new microwave and store the other one. I get sentimental too...

So here's me. I have diagnosed OCD and have always had a spotless house... until a few years ago and i became an unofficial carer for dgm who has dementia.

My house took the hit. It has got out of control and I don't know how to regain it.

Dgm has recently gone to a retirement village with specialist dementia carers on site so now I have my life back ( sounds a bit dramatic but that's how it feels! )

My biggest problem is laundry.
My mum has always ironed everything and so have I. It's all I knew. Literally everything, tea towels/flannels everything.

I am now drowning in laundry and I don't know what to do. It's all sat there in piles looking at me. There are 4 of us and I have it all neat etc but I just can't put it away unironed. I know that's ridiculous.

I also have fibromyalgia so am in a lot of pain which does hinder things. I'm on new medication as of today so hoping for an improvement.

I like order and nice smells, I'm not a germophobe. Prefer Zoflora to bleach.

Anyway I'm rambling so will finish here:

Thanks for the welcome

Ps I'm following the "21 item toss" method from Clutterbug, its quite good! I've got rid of a lot over the weekend.

I found her on YouTube and also bought her book

Just wanted to say a very belated thank you for the welcome, sadly life got away from me (again)! Am still here lurking, feeling rather discouraged as had 2 days off work due to snow and did naff all. Except cook soup.

Partial success today however, D/W on, bed cleared, hoovered under, mattress flipped and actually put sheets on! (Yes, I'm disgusting, but have been without a duvet cover for 3 weeks cos I couldn't find one or get to the bed to make it )

Downside- apparently terrier3 (now nearly 2) a) hates the hoover and barks and attacks it and b) had apparently peed up hoover filter so room smells mildly of pee.

One step forward, 3 steps back...

Windows wide open, filter in bin, burning lavender oil. Thanks pup.

Hope the rest of your days are proving more successful!!!

Solo I know this is just me (and I'm a bit of a technophobe) but what about just getting rid of the microwave (after all the microwave is not your mum, it is a microwave) and living without one for a while. I never had a microwave for years, and I only bought one in the end because of the dd demands for microwave popcorn, tbh I should not have listened as I can make perfectly good popcorn ont he hob.. And it cost less than £50, the new one. You could try living without one for a month. And see how it goes. I'd would happily do without mine as long as i have a hob/oven, (which I know that some people don't)

I'm in my parents' house atm. The home of broken worn out saucepans and rugs which cats have peed on and which are never ever thrown away. It is depressing in some ways to witness an obsession with making do in some areas which is almost akin to fear, yet in other ways they are very generous and enjoy life and they have a beautiful old house. But in a way they don't look after it because they are so frightened of throwing things away that it ends up full of worthless flotsam. I don't think they even have a sentimental interest i half the stuff, it goes beyond that. When my mum was younger she threw away lots of toys and books and old clothes, it seems to be only now that it has become an obsession to keep things in case they come in useful, a fear of being found wanting when the day of judgement comes. My mum is ill atm with a bad leg which is why I am not challenging her but it is sad to witness. I threw away a jey cloth today ( I do little acts of sabotage every now and then)

I’ve done not very much lately. I have taken the advice to start collecting random crap together though.

Thinking of more things to pack away properly, so will get more boxes today I think. Might take a friend up on her offer to use her garage (this would require another friend with a car though!) - as I am using plastic boxes, they should be perfectly safe right?

Cag garages circulate damp; my brother has lost so much stuff due to damp garage storage. Sealing the plastic boxes might help?

That’s what I’m worried about :( how would I seal them? They are just cheap plastic tubs from Wilko with lids that click on. I’m just not sure it would be worth it given how much I’ll worry.

The boxes all stack easily, so theoretically we can just stack them up in a corner here while we get on with other stuff. But there are no corners free. Because all the other crap is in the way!

Maybe tape them up along all the joining edges? Don't put books into storage though.

Anything happening? Nothing here...