Posted by Angel Girl on June 16, 2004, at 9:01:25
In reply to Re: motivation. » TexasChic, posted by ghost on June 15, 2004, at 14:42:20
I'm a packrat too and it amazes me sometimes how fast things can accumulate without you even realizing you're doing it.
I've heard that one of the key things in de-cluttering is to only pick up an item once. Decide right then and there what you're going to do with it. Don't say to yourself that you'll put that one aside and think about it later. Later will never come.
Another problem people have when trying to purge some of the clutter is letting emotions getting in the way. I think you have to look at it from a practical standpoint instead. As someone (sorry I forget who) said earlier in this thread, if you haven't used it in 'x' number of months or a year or whatever time frame you decide on, what is the likelihood that you will ever use it.
When it comes to clothes, if you're like me, you might have several sizes hanging in your closet. You hang onto the stuff that's too small hoping that someday you're going to get back into that size. But reality is that *if* you ever do get back into that size, are the clothes still going to be in style and would you really wear them?
Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who look at things from an emotional point of view, therefore making it harder to purge items. I think sometimes you just have to be brutal about it. Maybe get a friend to come and help you that doesn't have any emotional attachment to the items who can steer you in the right direction.
Have any of you watched the show "Clean Sweep" on TLC? I love that show. A "Clean Sweep" team comes into your home and you show them 2 rooms that you want to have de-cluttered so that they are more livable. It simply amazes me how some people can live. My clutter doesn't even compare to their clutter, thank God! They are pretty brutal with the people on purging their items and they hold a garage sale for what they're getting rid of. The "clean sweep" team also redecorates the 2 rooms, keeping in mind what the function of the rooms are supposed to be and providing the people enough storage for the items that they are keeping. They totally reorganize everything for the homeowners. I really recommend watching this show if you'd like some ideas on de-cluttering and/or organizing. At the very least it will make you feel better about your own clutter when you see how other people live. lol!!! Maybe you could even apply for the Clean Sweep team to come and help you with your own clutter. :D
Personally, I would probably be traumatized if Clean Sweep came here and started purging my stuff.
AG
poster:Angel Girl
thread:356453
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040611/msgs/357175.html