Pack Rats Anonymous
Great, so now this stuff is in my bedroom. At least it's out of the computer room, formerly referred to as the "junk room" and now my shared office space with Howie (who is not a neat freak like I am).
The only issue is I am a neat freak with way too much stuff! And most of this stuff is miscellaneous stuff that belongs to the girls but doesn't really have a permanent home. There is a lot of art stuff, meaning half dried out markers, broken crayons and all kinds of Mickey D's toys and bouncy balls out of gum ball machines.
So here is some new math leading me to the concept of forming a pack rats anonymous support group.
Me + Bargains = Too much stuff = Stress
Purging + Pruning = Less Stress + More Joy (but only after my stress first goes way up when I realize it is all self inflicted).
I was talking with a friend who marvelled at what my friend Audrey and I had accomplished in my storage space a few weeks back and now she wants to get on Audrey's list. I told her we should just be partners, that her stuff wouldn't hold any emotional value or significance to me and vice versa and I could tell her not to hold on to all that stuff "just in case" just as well as Audrey could. Which then led me to the idea of forming partnerships, which then led to the support group concept, because isn't hoarding just another addiction? I hate to admit it, but I am somewhat addicted to my stuff, especially if it was a gift, free or a bargain...(although my primary drug of choice is - and always will be -caffeine.)
Then, we could all just have one big happy yard sale and use the money for outreach to people who really need things, not just "in case" but to make it to the next day.
Of course it is easier said than done which is why we need the support of fellow pack rats. So share your story and share your stuff. Guaranteed to help you feel less stressed once you get over the hump!
The only issue is I am a neat freak with way too much stuff! And most of this stuff is miscellaneous stuff that belongs to the girls but doesn't really have a permanent home. There is a lot of art stuff, meaning half dried out markers, broken crayons and all kinds of Mickey D's toys and bouncy balls out of gum ball machines.
So here is some new math leading me to the concept of forming a pack rats anonymous support group.Me + Bargains = Too much stuff = Stress
Purging + Pruning = Less Stress + More Joy (but only after my stress first goes way up when I realize it is all self inflicted).
I was talking with a friend who marvelled at what my friend Audrey and I had accomplished in my storage space a few weeks back and now she wants to get on Audrey's list. I told her we should just be partners, that her stuff wouldn't hold any emotional value or significance to me and vice versa and I could tell her not to hold on to all that stuff "just in case" just as well as Audrey could. Which then led me to the idea of forming partnerships, which then led to the support group concept, because isn't hoarding just another addiction? I hate to admit it, but I am somewhat addicted to my stuff, especially if it was a gift, free or a bargain...(although my primary drug of choice is - and always will be -caffeine.)
Then, we could all just have one big happy yard sale and use the money for outreach to people who really need things, not just "in case" but to make it to the next day.
Of course it is easier said than done which is why we need the support of fellow pack rats. So share your story and share your stuff. Guaranteed to help you feel less stressed once you get over the hump!
Labels: cleaning out, Packrats, support for purging and pruning
posted by www.kathypride.com at
11:51 PM
6 Comments:
As to your goal of putting relationships first, we just returned from Doug Fishman's surprise 50th birthday party on Jan. 1st. We got the prize for coming from the furthest away (6 hours). The look on his face when we walked in was worth every mile. We stayed the night, and when they asked if we wanted to stay another, we accepted gladly. We had a great time -- mostly just talking, with lots of eating sprinkled in. Simone had a great time with their two girls (both adopted from China). We got to see their pictures of Santorini and Florence and Rome (drool -- jealousy -- yearning to travel again). Staying an extra night was the easiest decision ever- it was all about a valued relationship with a dear, dear old friend. He is about to have surgery to remove 3/4 of his thyroid gland, and depending on what the biopsy shows, his parathyroid gland and all the lymph nodes in his neck. Needless to say, he is quite concerned and nervous.
Now, as to your pack rat club -- sign me up! I have been getting rid of many clothes too large for me now as I discover them. (I probably could empty half my closet if I tried on everything in there!) But do you know I have a box of old Christmas ornaments and another of lights that we haven't used since we moved here?! That's 15 years. Just when do I think I "might" need it?
So yes, this will also be my year of purging.
Great job of turning your office into a room for your mom. Please give her my best.
Love,
Katy
You have a great problem, clothes that are too large. I went through my closet and took out all the clothes I couldn't button and it was about two thirds of what I own...I think we should all commit to one area per day and slog through till we're done. Maybe one drawer, shelf etc. It does feel wonderful to purge, and even better if you know it is going somewhere that will make a difference.
Glad you had a grand time at Fishman's. It must have been one of those suspend in time events...
I have a great solution. Pack everything in one BIG box, label it with the date. In two years, donate the box (don't peek inside)...just give it away. If you haven't used it in two years, you won't need it anyway.
A smile and a hug!
oy vey. How right you are...but I don't think I am quite brave enough to just label a box and heave it two years later, but it might just be the solution...hugs! Give me courage!
I have tried the box idea. However, after finding it a couple of years later, I couldn't resist and I opened it. This, of course, sent me on a trip down memory lane and suddenly I could not throw it out. Even though, in my defense, I did find some significant memoribilia that should not have been in a box in the first place. However, that fear of throwing out something I would regret someday, have left me with boxes that I can not get rid of although should. Thus, meet Shelly, the pack rat.
I'm with you, shelley, I don't think I would be able to resist peeking and then there it all goes.
I did get the stuff out of our room, except for all the markers but that will be tomorrow's project. Everything else is downstairs. I am gathering three collection areas: the garage (again) the utility room (again, will need hurricane Audrey for that again then too) and Nicole's room. You can hardly wade through it. She is truly a pack rat. "But that is special to me" she says, so several bins later that will all be in the utility room as well. I must admit, though, seeing Matt discover some of the relics from his childhood was priceless, so I defer those choices to them, that is only fair.
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