Confession: I am a hoarder. Maybe not to the extent that I would be on the show Hoarders, but in my own quirky way, I certainly have a hard time letting things go.
Recently, while yielding to my parents request that I finally go through my things in their basement, I came across some ridiculous items to have saved.
For example, I saved dozens of little folded notes from my friends all the way back to elementary school. (Meghann, if you are reading this, we wrote A LOT of notes in fifth grade. And just to answer your last question, no, I do not want to 'go with' Brad. And yes, I do want to spend the night with you Friday.)
What sane person would keep these notes for over twenty years?
What about the carved, wooden key chain that says 'Stephanie' from King's Island? There's a keeper.
Has anyone ever actually gone back and read their seventh grade social studies binder?
How about a program from a high school sports banquet or my fourth grade cheerleading uniform?
Why did I keep these things?
As a VERY young child, I can remember hoarding Halloween candy until Easter. I would not use stickers or special markers because I didn't want to waste them. I would hoard them until they just never got used. Seriously, it's not like I grew up in the Great Depression
If my hoarding practices continue, I will never be able to get rid of anything my children have ever made, touched, watched or played with. This is how it happens - how people get buried in their houses.
I have nearly every paper Luke has ever colored or painted. I realize this is not practical and I also had a revelation recently of how insane my sentimental hoarding is. My sweet husband had cleaned the kitchen, and gasp, threw out some of Luke's art. While I know this was probably the right decision, tears literally sprang to my eyes.
Selling and giving away my children's clothes is a heart wrenching affair. While I am doing pretty well, let's just say the 'keep forever' pile is pretty big.
I am curious. Are there certain items any of you have a hard time parting with? Any good methods of sorting the special from the expendable?
Maybe I will practice this weekend by finally parting with my VHS collection.
Footnote: I did get rid of many things when Jon and I got married. I had to sell my house and most of the things in it to move to Europe with him. I felt like I had sold all my worldly possessions except the nine boxes I mailed myself. I guess I didn't get rid of as much as I thought.
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ReplyDeleteFrom recent experience... grab a friend (one that has the guts to possibly be harsh), your camera, some boxes or bags that you will not miss and start. List, box, and Goodwill anything that might by usable (vhs tapes). You can use it as a tax deduction. Bag and immediately throw away anything that is not. If you feel a sentimental pull, take a photograph, it's much easier to store.
ReplyDeleteFor the things you can't part with, give them a box with a label and a date so you know how long it's been there and go through it again in a year.
My daughter did this with me and though I am not free and clear of some stuff, it's a lot better.
Good luck!
Those are great ideas. When I moved to Germany, I had a good friend help me get rid of clothes. She was ruthless, but I needed it. I like the idea of taking pictures of 'important' items.
ReplyDeleteI also like the idea of revisiting the items in a year. This has helped me pair down my kid's clothes. What is still freshly sentimental now, may not be next year.
Oddly enough, the reason I can't let go of my VHS tapes is because they are mostly from college, so each movie reminds me of lounging in the dorms or the sorority house watching these same movies over and over with my girls. They also all have my initials on them so we didn't get them mixed up:-) They remind me of a great stage in my life.
Still.....I don't need them in my house and I don't even have a VCR to ever watch them on!Sadly, they need to go.
ReplyDeleteOh you're a girl after my own heart. The funny thing is that I didn't really consider myself a hoarder until I read your post. I guess it's true because I have a lot of the same issues you d. For one, I have an entire bag of notes from my friends. Sadly, I was afraid to throw them away in fears that my 5th grade love would somehow find my trash and discover my untold love for him. My favorite recent find was a necklace with these plastic charms we used to collect. I loved it so much an remembered that I had some no one else did, so I couldn't part with it. I used to "save" my stickers and stuff too and then never used them! Thanks for pointing out another one of my ocd behavior traits (:
ReplyDeleteDanielle, a kindred spirit! I think I am going through my closet (again) tonight. Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteOMW I do the same thing about my kids artwork!!! I have never thrown any piece of paper away that they have colored on!!! I thought I was the only person that did that!
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