Can I beat Hoarding with Minimalism?

@WhiteBearClub

I think I may have a little hoarder tendency in me. My partner clears up without me knowing, with items discreetly being got rid of. I never miss them....I don't even notice what's gone. But if I were given a choice, I'd have hung on to it!

I watched a TV programme the other day that got me thinking of all this stuff we hang on to. In it, the participants had all their belongings taken from them, every scrap of clothing, every item of furniture, all their precious bits and bobs. They were left with food and drink only. They were then able to reclaim one item per day, over 28 days.

The interesting part was seeing what people prioritised, and thinking about what would be important to me in the same situation. What was more interesting though, was thinking of the bits that I wouldn't prioritise.....do I really need them? Why do we surround ourselves with stuff? For what purpose? Using this new found clarity, I feel a little more relaxed about letting stuff go. When I get round to it, I shall root through those drawers and cupboards I haven't looked in for over six months, with the intention of clearing them out. I'll probably find them empty, because my partner got there before me!

Anyway, this is a rather long winded way of suggesting, in your case, could you apply the principle of do I really NEED it? Not just want it, but NEED it. Does it serve a purpose? And if you find yourself needing it because it provides you with comfort, or reminds you of happy times, would a photo of it suffice, or a list? For example, as a kid I had various gadgets and games, and when I see images of them on eg. Facebook, I have a good reminisce. I don't actually have to own the item to recall those memories.

You seem to like the minimalistic home. Would that desire for sleek, uncluttered lines also motivate you? Or maybe you need some clever storage solutions? Or to develop an altruistic nature, where you take pleasure in giving things away? Or do you want to become your dad, mark two? The power lies with you my friend.

Given half a chance, I would keep everything I have ever owned. I would have boxes of ALL my baby clothes, instead of just one sweater my great-grandmother knitted for me. All my dolls, every book I've ever had, all of it. Everything.

However.

I've moved more times than I can remember. And every time, I pare down more and more. Right now, I live in 91 square feet of space. Granted, I have a ton of boxes out in the rest of the house with things I couldn't possibly use right now - cookware, a few furniture pieces, etc. But due to physical disability and mental illness, I spend all my time (outside of doctor appointments) in this 91 square feet. So I've had to decide, what's important for me to have?

You might not choose the things I've chosen. I have a lava lamp, 8 cans of play-doh, a 20 oz bottle of Coke with my name on it, and a stack of jigsaw puzzles. These things are important to me. They each have their place. With this last move, I dumped half of my book collection (which originally started, in my first house of my own, at least 10 moves ago, as a jam-packed, double row on every shelf plus more stacked on top of everything, 15' by 8' bookcase). I got rid of 75% of my clothes. Sold 90% of my furnture.

I don't quite live minimalistically. But I can tell you that making conscious, measured decisions about my living space, and what I keep in it, has helped keep me from being completely overrun by stuff. I think choosing minimalism could be an awesome way to help you.

Hi @WhiteBearClub

I think that's a brilliant idea and I love the idea that you have been so inspired by this. I say go with your heart and I wish you all the best and please, do keep in touch :-)

Lucy2

Hi there @WhiteBearClub

I was just thinking about you and wondered how you are getting on with the minimalism, I hope it's going well, do pop in and let us know :-)

Lucy2