7 Deadly Sins that Lead to Hoarding

We love our stuff. That might be one of the reasons we moved from NYC, there just wasn't enough room for our stuff. Fortunately in New York we had a loft area and became adept at re-arranging our closets and kitchens to suit the seasons otherwise we would have been living in a room full of wardrobes and dressers. We managed in under 500 square feet and now manage with less than 1000 but for some folks no matter how big their space they will continue to fill every nook and cranny with stuff.

Apparently hoarding is a real disease according to Oprah and the impulse for some people to not only keep everything but collect and "hoard" is uncontrollable.

Look out for these 7 deadly sins that lead to hoarding.

1. Holding onto to old magazines and newspapers - Just get rid of them! You may have bought a daily subscription but if you fall behind that doesn't mean you always have to catch up, especially when you never do. 99% of magazines should be recycled. Everything is now online anyway so no worry about holding onto back issues.

2. Keeping clothes you don't wear - We've all got a favorite t-shirt or pair of shoes that we hold onto hoping to someday wear again. We've ditched it because it doesn't fit is uncomfortable or out of style. Donate these clothes to people who can use them right now!

3. Storing broken electronics & appliances - Someday you'll get around to fixing that printer, don't kid yourself, no you won't. Recycle or donate used electronic items that you no longer use. With every month that passes it becomes more obsolete for the next person.

4. Storing free swag - Just because you got a free key-chain or mug doesn't mean it should be stashed in your drawer or kitchen. Again, donate it to your local Goodwill store.

5. Every room becomes storage - If your storage closet or garage is so full that you need to keep the extra TV or refrigerator in the dining room, you may have a hoarding problem. When your storage overflows into the rest of the home and continues to grow - check yourself.

6. Your car becomes a closet - Are you keeping more than just an extra pair of shoes in your trunk? If you need to keep books and camping gear in your backseat because there is no more room in your garage, it's time to consider a trip to Goodwill.

7. Your daily life is impacted - If there is no where to sit and eat dinner because every chair is piled high with papers and you can't sleep comfortably because the bed is covered in clothes that have nowhere to go you may need to take a step back and get help.

Bonus 8. You can't clean - If your floors and countertops are covered in papers and junk that you can't even vacuum, take that as a major warning sign that something needs to be done.

If you can easily solve the above sins by a thorough cleansing and possibly rental of a storage unit then you should be fine, but if it's clearly gotten out of hand and your friends and family have already said something to you then reach out and ask them for help. They don't want to see you living like this.

photo: coccu

Charles & Hudson | Comments () |

guest

my mother is becoming a hoader, she has reached all 6 except 7, it impacts mine but she doesnt realize its impacted hers.. i am going to read her this list and see if it does something to help her understand what i mean.

Ajamrani

Cory,
I don't think this article is irresponsible simply because it isn't aimed at people who are deep into hoarding or their friends or their families. It's for the rest of us, who may, from time to time, wonder if we or someone we care about is possibly headed in that direction. Huge difference!

cory billeaud

This is for people to prevent themselves from a hoarding cycle? This list is not for someone in full-blown hoard mode. My parents were hoarders, and you can clean up after them and a week later it was like it was never done. Someone that is a hoarder is not aware they are a hoarder. They will completely ignore the hoard, while being critical of others mess even if it just perceived as one to the hoarder (which is odd when it is the opposite to anyone else nested in reality). Case in point a couple of t-shirts on teenage boy's room while the rest of house is only accessible by "goat trails" and only a couple of spots for sitting. It is a psychological problem that comprises more than just a messy/lazy person. Then advocating to a person with such a psychological problem who can not control themselves that they can remedy the problem by just getting more space? This is article is in the very least wholly irresponsible, and could possibly be even more damaging to people and their friends/family that suffer from hoarding.

Unicorniasara

I just found out that i am a grade A hoarder. And I'm only 13! I keep stuff in car and garage, (mom always tries to clean it out) And my room is piled high with my so called "collectibles"

Pam_Osgood1947

I wish my mom would have had time to teach me how to sort and organize ! My mom ran a store all by herself while my dad worked on the railroad. From the time I was 6 until got married at 20. I never got to stay over and see how anyone else lived or took care of there stuff. I always put everyone else first. My stuff comes last. I had 2 wounderful boys and a very demanding husband. I love him dearly, but I always spoiled him and waited on him hand and foot. Then 13 years later the 2 boys came along. So I kept on doing everything for them. Now I'm 63 and tired! I have one grandson 3 years old and awsome! They are divorced and i end up having him here so my son can see him. My house is so cluttered that I can't see the floors in most of the rooms! It'svery hard to have him here. I want to clean it up, but by the time I do the things I have to get done everyday I am so tired i don't feel like doing the extra things to clean up and organize things. Pam

jo

i feel for you, as i'm disabled and its difficult to keep up with whats manditory, let alone 'extra'! i always had a "pile" of stuff by my bed, of things i didnt quite know what to dop with, even while i was married, raising 3 and a 'soccer mom'. that later spread, and i found later i was able to keep things a better, & under control, as my children stayed on top of some general housekeeping chores. but i always had a spare room that was out of control. now i'm single, older, more isolated, and as before, still disabled. so, i understand. it is not an easy circunstance. jo

R.

The only thing that applies to me is #1 (though I usually read my magazines or use them as part of a craft project). #2 applied to an extent, but as I got older and the recession continued, I started wearing some of my old clothes that I hadn't worn much, and anything that didn't fit either went to my sister-in-law, Goodwill, or a secondhand store. My dad, on the other hand, exhibits most, if not all, the signs of a hoarder. However, like many hoarders, he doesn't see his hoarding as a problem.

Guest

Useful list, thank a lot. My mum is a hoarder and I just can't stand it. I am determined not to be like her. Having a list like this helps me to see how things should be and test if any are areas are problem areas.
Thanks again. :)

Lexii434

AWESOME CHECKLIST !!! 10 out of 10

Allison

We have a neighbr with a garage like that. Luckily he keeps the door closed most of the time. When in doubt....throw it out!

Meranda

Great article. All those things are so true! Great Job

Laurel

I love this post - do you mind if I quote you on my blog?

Charles & Hudson

Thanks for the link love Laurel!

sarah shaw

great check list! i think we all have to check our selves sometimes!

Stacey Karl

I know - we totally do. I don't think we hoard but sometimes we can't see our floors with all the junk laying around.

7 Deadly Sins that Lead to Hoarding

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