Hoarding: How to Not

Do you, like nearly everyone in a first world country, have far too much stuff lying around? Have you classified some of that stuff as “crap?” Do you constantly wish you had more space? I do. And I know what I should be doing, but I seem to have a real affinity for my crap. It’s a simple process, really. It can be cut to three easy steps: Start, analyze, sort. 

The first step seems a bit vague, seeing as it’s literally telling you to do what you were already planning. My mistake, but my brain doesn’t enjoy giving me better words as I request them. It’s a long process, really. Truly, this step is seeking out the stuff lying around that is to either be rediscovered or eliminated. Be it a basement, crawl space, garage, or… Well, everywhere… This stuff needs to be located and identified as unused. I’ve heard the saying “Don’t know it’s there, don’t know it’s missing” a great many times, and if you can live with that, skip the next step and just throw it away. I however have seen too many history specials where people sell “junk” for hundreds to just toss boxes full of potential treasure.

If you’ve started into this sentence, chances are you share my affinity for antiques roadshow. Open up those containers! Decide whether the things inside are worth keeping due to sentimental value or practical use. This step will vary widely depending on the nature of your stuff and the type of person you are, but try to compromise. Even if something has slight value, weigh also how often it has been used or removed from storage, and consider if it would be better used by someone else, if it’s even worth keeping.

Tedious time; sort those boxes/stashes of stuff. Make a pile or area for junk, and an organized and clean area for treasure. Ideally, label the containers used to organize the treasure or remove it from storage and sell/use it. The trash can go into a massive cleansing yard sale, or directly into the rubbish bin, at your discretion. 

And now, your house won’t resemble an episode of hoarders! Congratulations, home owner! I recommend during the sorting process, one also cleans the area the things were stashed in to provide a truly renewed feel to the space. It will be considerably more satisfying if one can stand back and enjoy the space they have so painstakingly created with personal sacrifice!

The best news; My girlfriend is sure to stumble upon this eventually, and I’ll have to suffer alongside you! It’s so very worth the payoff though, so please, do take this step for you. You’ll love your new space and impress yourself with your diligence.

Picture from http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/hoarding-buried-alive