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Original poster

Hoarder's Rehab

80 replies

FrustratedFrugal · 17/05/2017 19:54

Do you hoard clothes, shoes, jewellery, makeup, skincare - or magazines and books?
Or something else?

Do you have a hard time letting go of things?

Would you like to declutter but don't know how to get started?

Would you like to join a collective spring cleaning?

A warm welcome: please join this thread and tell something about yourself!

OP posts:
Original poster
FrustratedFrugal · 17/05/2017 19:59

So my name is Frugal and I have far too many clothes and shoes. I'm also a longtime cosmetics hoarder.

I want to get rid of some unwanted items in the next few weeks - go through drawers and countertops and let go of some clothes that I no longer wear.

OP posts:
nickdrakeslovechild · 17/05/2017 20:53

Yes please, count me in. I keep buying stuff as I cant find my stuff as I have so much stuff. aaaaggghhhh

ememem84 · 17/05/2017 21:53

Hello! I have too much stuff. Fact.

Clothes mostly. Shoes too.

im currently preggo and am buying maternity clothes like they're going out of fashion. But not yet wearing them. Still holding onto my old clothes. This would really be the time to clear out.

kwick · 18/05/2017 07:35

Thanks @FrustratedFrugal for starting thread Grin
My hoarding is not so much around clothes and shoes (although could do with a clear out) as I am very limited on storage space so have to operate a one in one out system. Nope my problem is with paper... I have never thrown away a bank statement or birthday card or credit card statement... the time has come to do something about this!!!!

Floisme · 18/05/2017 07:40

I never throw clothes or books away. My husband never throws gadgets away. We will end up on one of those reality tv shows where someone has to tunnel into the house to get you out.

Original poster
FrustratedFrugal · 18/05/2017 14:50

Welcome everyone! My birthday card hoard is also pretty obscene... Blush

I am pretty busy but would like to devote 15-30 mins per week to decluttering every week.

I got started! When I am super busy, my office gets progressively messier until I literally get drowned in paperwork. Our network was down and I had a mini clearout - sorted out my desk in about 30 mins. I immediately felt much better!

How would you like to get started with your problem areas?

OP posts:
kwick · 18/05/2017 18:30

I really like your idea @FrustratedFrugal - doing a little but often. I am going to try that - that way I can the stuff that needs shredding in small quantities to work Blush

mindmyarse · 18/05/2017 18:42

I hoard clothes for all the various sizes I be but i never find my size 12 clothes or 14 or 10 whenever I reach that size because I have too much too wade through so I just buy more Blush So I am trying to clear out by getting rid of a carrier bag of stuff a week Not always successful TBH

CantChoose · 18/05/2017 22:17

Oh, frugal... 'magazines'... how did you guess?? Blush
I've got another work deadline on Tuesday (only just finishing up so I get 15 minutes free time before bed!) but after that I need to sort my house out. I really struggle to get rid of the magazines without reading them. Cover to cover.

Gah81 · 19/05/2017 08:27

Count me in too! Fab idea for a thread. I am not so bad on the clothes front but I keep an awful lot of work/industry documents, cards, magazines, clippings...

Am a little nervous that I may end up one of those women who dies buried beneath a pile of newspaper so big that the authorities can't open the door when they try to get in!

Gah81 · 19/05/2017 08:28

I am going to start by going through the pile of old industry magazines in the corner of my room and get rid - my weekend task. Wish me luck!

ememem84 · 19/05/2017 08:59

Oh the industry magazines. I have three or four arrive which I open then just stick on a pile. I don't read them. I mean to. But....

Maybe I'll just dump them.

Tanaqui · 19/05/2017 09:42

Me! Make up (which I don't even wear!), skin creams and bath stuff, clothes- and then when I do clear out clothes I regret it years later and wish I'd kept stuff! And gadget cords and plugs and wires cos I never know which ones are important.

But I am good with magazines- I always pass them on to someone else! And I might try the Kindo thing if taking a photo before giving away clothes I am sentimentally attached too even if I don't wear them any more.

Girlywurly · 19/05/2017 10:14

I have a lot of S&B stuff, plus inadequate storage.

I'd like to embed some decent beauty/makeup routines, so that I can work out which products I need, and which can be discarded.

Also clothes. I love almost every item in my wardrobe, but much of it is going unworn because it's in disarray (too many clothes in a too small cupboard) and I don't put together outfits ahead of time - just grab and go in the mornings. End up wearing the same half dozen items over and over.

lifeistooshort · 19/05/2017 10:49

Have you guys looked at the Kondo threads. I did follow the Marie Kondo programme a while back and it has definitely helped a bit. Be warned though it is a LOT of effort and you have to keep at it.

FiveShelties · 19/05/2017 11:24

I just have a lot of everything. Moved last week and have filled a house (with a tremendous amount of storage ) easily, and also left stuff in the UK for use when I visit. I cannot believe just how much stuff we have and just how much of it has not been used.

I would love to join you 'Frustrated' and hopefully this mountain of stuff will reduce Grin

Joyofscreamingjoy · 19/05/2017 11:32

I really struggle because I buy wayyyyy too much of everything and then I feel guilty because such a waste to throw it out and would be useful to someone. I haven't bought much in the last year as I've had a baby. I've started by going through my stuff as I will definitely never fit into size 6 again (thank you hips) so they've all gone to charity. Also many of my 10yrold knockers have gone & ALL but 2 of my bras (which was 2bags😱) I find it really difficult to get motivation during baby napping because as soon as I start he wakes up &I am on mumsnet

Joyofscreamingjoy · 19/05/2017 11:32

Knickers not knockers 😆

Original poster
FrustratedFrugal · 19/05/2017 19:54

Thanks for joining everyone, it's great to hear that I am not the only one with hoarding tendencies...

Gah and Em, magazine overflow situation here too. I know that there will be some takers at work - so I am committing to 15 mins of magazine decluttering this weekend.

With some industry magazines, you can switch to an online version. I got rid of a weekly one that way and it makes a huge difference.

FiveShelties, your situation sounds really familiar, I am still using up stuff that I managed to accumulate when we had homes in two different places.

The weather around here is amazing right now - not mega conducive to a major clearout...

OP posts:
silkpyjamasallday · 19/05/2017 23:20

I definitely have hoarder tendencies, so does my mother. But I don't see the issue until I start running out of space, but maybe I could follow along just in case I change my mind. I have done clear outs before but almost always regret things that are then long gone, so I bought a lot of vacuum pack bags...

chocolatespiders · 19/05/2017 23:25

Yes please. Me and my girls are crammed into a tiny house and the extra stuff is not helping us.
Clothes that are too small are my big down fall. I feel I won't be able to buy again if I ever slim down and I have chucked them away

chocolatespiders · 19/05/2017 23:27

I have recently decluttered magazines. Took some running ones to the library and the rest to GP surgery

Deathraystare · 20/05/2017 11:23

Oh dear. I think this will be my new home. I willjoin before my friends make me! I have to find where I put my passport but I have loads of bags around the place and cannot remember where I put it. I seriously need to get rid of some clothes though.

Oh and the broken jewellry too!

Floisme · 20/05/2017 11:27

I can justify hoarding clothes as I do recycle them, sometimes years later. My books I am saving for my deathbed. (Hopefully someone will read them to me.). What I find harder to explain are the tickets, programmes and reviews from gigs, football matches and theatre going back to the 70s Blush

IPokeBadgers · 20/05/2017 15:10

Hello everyone! Am seeing a few familiar names here 😊
I have masses of clutter and do think I am definitely bordering on a proper hoarding disorder. Clothes, footwear, make up, toiletries, magazines, books, paperwork, sentimental items.....you name it, I have a serious difficulty in parting with it. Have mentioned it to a counsellor who said it can be seen as an I d
trying to protect from the shocks in life/difficult emotions. I definitely agree, as my issues with "stuff" have spiralled over last decade and I definitely think are linked with the loss of a parent and a failed marriage and a lot of relationship/job insecurity.

Recently bought the Konmari book looking for inspiration.....I struggle to imagine ever being that hard core, but I have removed 3 large bags of clothes, and begun a cull of the dvd/cd collection. This is after not letting go of anything for years.....so a start, but in truth, barely made a dent.