Posted by TexasChic on October 31, 2005, at 16:34:21
In reply to Re: facing eviction, help, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 29, 2005, at 9:29:53
I SO understand! I have the same problem (except the landlord hasn't been in to see my mess). I've read alot about it on the internet. It seems to be an actual illness, or at least a part of one. The only thing that has semi helped for me is to just put everything into big boxes. Then it won't be messy except what's in the boxes. The next step is to go through the boxes, but I haven't gotten that far yet.
Here's what I consider the best advice of what I read: Once you begin going through the stuff, you're supposed to have three big boxes to sort stuff in labeled: Garbage, Give Away, Put away later. That way, you don't feel guilty about throwing out perfectly good stuff, because you have the 'give away' box. That seems to be the sticking point for most people with this problem. You hate to throw something away because its still good.
As for the sentimental stuff, once you have it all together, its easier to decide if you really want to go to the trouble of storing all this stuff. You might see it in a different light when you have to figure out where to put everything (or pay to have it stored).
Like I said, I haven't gotten to the sorting phase yet. But getting everything out of the floor definitely made me feel better. It's a start.
I just saw this British show on tv this weekend that kind of deals with this. They took all of this women's belongings and boxed them up. Then they brought them to this baseball field and layed it all out. Then with the help of a friend she went through all the stuff. It was funny because she would fight to keep something like some old raggity bunny slippers, but they eventually convinced her to let them go. Then they put all the stuff to throw away in a shredder(!) and brought the other stuff home and put it away and redecorated everything. It was pretty cool. It was also nice to see someone else overly attached to something there was no rational need for. The bunny slippers and shoes she never wore anymore were the main things for her.
Anyway, I hope this helps a little. If nothing else, know you're not alone. I'm trying to figure all this crazy crap out too.
-T
poster:TexasChic
thread:573423
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20051029/msgs/573850.html