Is anyone else horrified by how much *stuff* you have?

[iheartscience]

Sit down and watch a Hoarders marathon and you will have everything cleaned out lickedy split!

HA I was seriously just going to post this! It is SO TRUE!

 

[CJ2008]

I hate hate hate "stuff". I definitely have more than I want because of DH. We have boxes in almost every closet - they look neat - but I hate knowing they're filled with "stuff". Plus he's not organized so the boxes are full of mixed stuff. Drives me crazy just thinking about it He's gotten better but still not to the level I'd like it.

This made me laugh out loud! I can hear the words "mixed stuff" being said like it something *dirty*!!!

Here's the problem with one in/one out: It never gets to LESS than what it is now... Maybe I need one in two out... or three...

Some of you can at least share/place the blame on your significant others. I have no one else responsible for this mess now! When the XH went his stuff went too, so all this that's left is mine. Ack.

(I do have to confess I look rather spiffy today in a blazer and shoes I completely forgot I had until they came to light in the Great Unearthing the other night!)

hahahaah It is like something dirty to me! It really bugs me. (I love your avatar BTW - I always feel like I'm talking to your doggie).

Dee - don't be hard on yourself for accumulating stuff, though. It's hard for *most* people to part with things - we get emotionally attached, we're scared to throw it out for fear we might need it...it's not easy.

But the one-in one-out (or the one-in two or three-out!) rule is very helpful because it reminds you that you want to stop accumulating and it forces you to look for something that you can let go of. Plus it's like baby steps so it makes it easier.

 

[Haven]

Sit down and watch a Hoarders marathon and you will have everything cleaned out lickedy split!
I have adopted the 'one in one out ' method at lest for clothes and shoes. It really does work.

This is SO true! DH says I'm banned from watching that show when he's OOT because it compels me to binge purge a bunch of his stuff. The really nasty ones send me on a deep-cleaning spree, which DH rather supports.

On a serious note, if anyone really does want motivation to let go of some things, and Hoarders isn't working, I highly recommend spending some time volunteering. I've always done some sort of volunteering with homeless shelters, or tutoring kids in under-served areas, or walking animals in shelters. DH never did anything like that on a regular basis until we got together. He believes that my ability to part with things (and my distaste of acquiring extra things) has a lot to do with regular exposure to people or animals who have less. I think he might be on to something, especially because spending time in these situations always resets my focus and mindset in a way.

We also see that the more time we spend volunteering or advocating for a cause, the less money we spend in general--we cook at home more, buy fewer things, etc. So, double bonus!

 

[Mrs.W 514]

I just moved and DH and I were amazed at the amount of stuff we had that we never used! I packed my dodge Durango full (as in only room left for the driver) 5 times and donated stuff to goodwill. I still had boxes that I hadn't unpacked from my last move. DH labeled them Julie's Random Crap #1-#8 It truly was random crap though just thrown into boxes and I didn't need or want almost any of it. Only one Random Crap box still exists