Can It Be, I'm One of THOSE People ?

[jjkrkwood]

I'll admit, I watch those shows about seemingly dysfunctional people obsessed with Hoarding shit and think, WTF ??? It is interesting, amusing and alarming at the same time, and i think "I could never be like that"....

 

But low and behold, after spending a nice, leisurely day at home, I realized, I AM one of those people.. Although I dont live in a dirty, disheveled space, cramped up with a bunch of stuff that looks like garbage, i'll admit that in my 60 years of life, I have amassed WAY TOO MUCH STUFF. Where did it come from ? I dont remember buying

half the stuff I have, yet its there. And I never use it. Why do i keep it ? I dont have the foggiest idea.....

 

So now you know, I AM a hoarder. A GAY hoarder, which simply means my STUFF if a bit "glitzier" than others might be, but still, it needs to GO....

 

So now, I am on a mission to Downsize. At 60, how much STUFF do I really need ? And if I die, why burden someone with having to deal with the disposal of all THAT. ?

 

Anyone else realize that they have unconsciously accumulated TOO MUCH STUFF ????

[ErieBear]

Yep. My big thing was always books. A few years ago, I gave away 7 bookshelves full of books. I even went so Dara's to give away the bookshelves too to make sure I didn't restock. Now, most of the books I buy are ebooks. Much, much easier to organize.

[jjkrkwood]

Yep. My big thing was always books. A few years ago, I gave away 7 bookshelves full of books. I even went so Dara's to give away the bookshelves too to make sure I didn't restock. Now, most of the books I buy are ebooks. Much, much easier to organize.

 

OH God EB, I wish I could say it WAS books... At least I may have learned something or at least have been entertained. Its just everything else, like close to 400 pairs of shoes, and 300 vintage cookie jars. (and I dont even eat cookies)

[Guest countryboywny]

OH God EB, I wish I could say it WAS books... At least I may have learned something or at least have been entertained. Its just everything else, like close to 400 pairs of shoes, and 300 vintage cookie jars. (and I dont even eat cookies)

 

Ebay is calling you, JJ!

[jjkrkwood]

Ebay is calling you, JJ!

 

LOL CB, you got that right. I am a loyal customer of theirs with over 700 feedbacks. Great way to dispose of unneeded shit. and I have surprisingly found that people will buy ANYTHING.

[+ azdr0710]

not a cookie jar aficionado, but I'm sure ebay has a lot of buyers for them....and I'm sure some of yours are collectibles....take it one corner of the room at a time....and keep a few for yourself

[+ Charlie]

I, too, save far too much stuff that I don't need, including books, of which I have a few thousand. Everytime I try to cull the collection, my partner looks through my choices and says, "Oh, you can't get rid of that!" I save clothes I don't wear and can't wear, just in case I lose weight due to illness someday. I have things like extra dishes and glassware that I kept when we got rid of our second home, just in case we ever got another one (we never will). I hate to get rid of linens, but finally got rid of a huge box full of sheets and blankets a few months ago, including some that my late mother bought and never unpacked, and an army blanket that my uncle used during World War II. And finally there are the piles of memorabilia--papers that I wrote in college, letters that I received from friends long dead, photos of people I can't identify, soft porn from a half century ago, etc.--that someone will throw away as soon as I am dead, because it will mean nothing to anyone else.

 

I try periodically to be ruthless about getting rid of stuff, but usually manage only to organize it better.

[jjkrkwood]

not a cookie jar aficionado, but I'm sure ebay has a lot of buyers for them....and I'm sure some of yours are collectibles....take it one corner of the room at a time....and keep a few for yourself

 

Thanks for the advice, They are ALL vintage, in fact I had to increase my homeowners insurance because of the value of these collectibles, which were not covered under my basic policy.

Included are 1500 Lady head vases from the 60's. WHY ??? I dont even know, I was just attracted to them and it became an obsession.

 

I needed an Exorcism, but have come to my senses... Cant take all that shit to an Old-age home.

[jjkrkwood]

I, too, save far too much stuff that I don't need, including books, of which I have a few thousand. Everytime I try to cull the collection, my partner looks through my choices and says, "Oh, you can't get rid of that!" I save clothes I don't wear and can't wear, just in case I lose weight due to illness someday. I have things like extra dishes and glassware that I kept when we got rid of our second home, just in case we ever got another one (we never will). I hate to get rid of linens, but finally got rid of a huge box full of sheets and blankets a few months ago, including some that my late mother bought and never unpacked, and an army blanket that my uncle used during World War II. And finally there are the piles of memorabilia--papers that I wrote in college, letters that I received from friends long dead, photos of people I can't identify, soft porn from a half century ago, etc.--that someone will throw away as soon as I am dead, because it will mean nothing to anyone else.

 

I try periodically to be ruthless about getting rid of stuff, but usually manage only to organize it better.

 

It's AMAZING huh, because you never see Yourself as one of THOSE people. And those "what if" and "just in case" days NEVER come. On top of that it takes me weeks to actually clean my apartment, and while I am an organization and Neat freak, at least my home doesnt look like a dumpster. BUT, I dont NEED any of it, so I am in the process of Downsizing. Just hope I can keep the momentum going. (before I buy another thing)

[josephga]

I use to have allot of stuff until i sold my home in 03 and downsized from a 2000sq foot house to a 700sq foot apartment

[jjkrkwood]

I use to have allot of stuff until i sold my home in 03 and downsized from a 2000sq foot house to a 700sq foot apartment

 

Well all I have is a 1 bedroom condo. Maybe I need to move into a cardboard Refrigerator box ?

[Decatur Guy]

I tossed out or gave away a lot of stuff during my last move and it's liberating. I need to really strip down to the essentials and ORGANIZE all that's left.

 

I really collect only CDs and books. I'm think about tossing all but some hard-backs. (And keeping the CDs. I still listen to them).

[+ deej]

I tossed out or gave away a lot of stuff during my last move and it's liberating.

 

Yup. Everyone should move house at least every 10 years. (Unlikely, but it's a target.)

 

When you're moving, it's amazing how fast "I'll keep that just in case" becomes "why the fuck am I keeping THAT?!?!?!".

[gallahadesquire]

Yup. Everyone should move house at least every 10 years. (Unlikely, but it's a target.)

 

When you're moving, it's amazing how fast "I'll keep that just in case" becomes "why the fuck am I keeping THAT?!?!?!".

 

It's amazing how easily one can say, "Oh, it's JUST one more box ..."

My mover underestimated my move by $3500 because of BOXES of xeroxes ... none of which I've looked at in 20 years.

[KMEM]

Like Charlie and some of the rest, I have stuff from my grandmother and mother (who is still alive). I think if I got rid of "their" stuff I would only be a "moderate" packrat.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ Charlie]

Yup. Everyone should move house at least every 10 years. (Unlikely, but it's a target.)

 

When you're moving, it's amazing how fast "I'll keep that just in case" becomes "why the fuck am I keeping THAT?!?!?!".

 

I do move on average every ten years, but the problem is that I have usually moved to someplace larger, so I have taken everything along, and then accumulate more. The last move across country to a smaller house finally motivated me to get rid of some things, including unnecessary bulky stuff like furniture, but the movers still delivered some boxes that are sitting unpacked in the garage, eight years later--I'm not even sure what is in them, but it's pretty obvious that I don't need it.

[jjkrkwood]

I do move on average every ten years, but the problem is that I have usually moved to someplace larger, so I have taken everything along, and then accumulate more. The last move across country to a smaller house finally motivated me to get rid of some things, including unnecessary bulky stuff like furniture, but the movers still delivered some boxes that are sitting unpacked in the garage, eight years later--I'm not even sure what is in them, but it's pretty obvious that I don't need it.

 

The sadder part is that since I am still a "working boy", my obsession with possesion has extended to my office.... Since I am one of the principles, I am ALLOWED to get away with it...

Someone really needs to smack some sense into me ! ( )

[corndog]

A few years back I downsized from about 2500 sq ft to about 500. At this point, I know exactly where everything is, and whenever I get anything new, something old has to go. It's incredibly liberating.

[+ deej]

the movers still delivered some boxes that are sitting unpacked in the garage, eight years later--i'm not even sure what is in them, but it's pretty obvious that i don't need it.

 

btdt

[+ Charlie]

btdt

 

I have no idea what that one means.

[+ deej]

Sorry. btdt= "been there, done that"

 

I made a conscious decision when I moved in here that there would be NO UNPACKED BOXES! It's the first time in my last 2-3 homes.

[robberbaron4u]

I yet have two overcoats, trimmed with fur collars, from a 1960s round-trip Atlantic voyage to Europe, a "bold" plaid Brioni fancy Brioni sport jacket, the type of garment every well-dressed Neopolitan would wear to a race track, from a grand tour" of the continent in the same decade, and racks of other clothing I have accumulated over the years and cannot bear to part with for fear that an occasion calling for some particular garment in my closets might arise.

[jjkrkwood]

I yet have two overcoats, trimmed with fur collars, from a 1960s round-trip Atlantic voyage to Europe, a "bold" plaid Brioni fancy Brioni sport jacket, the type of garment every well-dressed Neopolitan would wear to a race track, from a grand tour" of the continent in the same decade, and racks of other clothing I have accumulated over the years and cannot bear to part with for fear that an occasion calling for some particular garment in my closets might arise.

 

Robber, somehow your sartorial descriptions give me a vision of you boarding the Titanic with the other regals. So Grand !

[+ Travis69]

Robber, somehow your sartorial descriptions give me a vision of you boarding the Titanic with the other regals. So Grand !

 

The Duchess of Windsor got quite upset with Robberbaron4u on one trip. He had more steamer trunks and better looking male valets.

[seeker630]

Wow, JJK, this thread has really struck a nerve!

 

I am, by nature, a collector (I'll vigorously reject the 'hoarder' label - my 88 year-old father is a hoarder, and I periodically would toss away stacks of styrofoam coffee cups from McDoanlds and empty Kool-Whip containers.) In earlier years, my vices were books and comics. I've always aad a spare room to store them in until first my sister and then my father came to live with me for periods of time, and then I really needed the 'spare bedroom' as a spare bedroom, so I rented a storage unit.

 

For the past 20 years, my hobby has been collecting pottery (primarily regional NC). My living room, bedroom, guest room & office have large (nice) wooden shelving units with several hundred pieces of pottery, in total. I've cut way back on my acquisitions in the past year (funny how being 'made redundant' will do that for you.)

 

At least most of my porn collection is digital!

 

And as an aside - last year or the year before, I saw an exhibit at MOMA in which a man had taken his Chinese mother's entire house (from her village in China) and all of her possessions and put them in a large room. Much of it was empty storage containers and broken appliances, toys, etc., but her generation (WWII, I think) never threw away ANYTHING.