Flipping through videos on YouTube the other day, we came across an episode of ‘Hoarders’. The house was filled to the brim with trash, feces covering the floor and it even came with its own pets. Watching that show made my stomach turn. It also caused me to look around my own home.
My house does not look anything like the picture above. It’s kept very clean. Everything is dusted, floors are vacuumed, counters are wiped down and very rarely will you ever find a dish in the sink. Even still, we have clutter. Lots of clutter.
Where does all the paper come from, or the many electronic components found stacked on shelves or in corners? Why are there still books for toddlers, in my 14 year old son’s room? Do I really need bills dated back to 2002 or card envelopes with no cards inside?
Do we ever throw anything away? From the amount of clutter, it would seem that the answer is no.
Although our house is clean, the clutter makes it look messy. Or, should I say “made” it look messy. Yesterday, thanks to the motivation received by watching “Hoarders”, our house was transformed. We spent from morning until close to midnight throwing away stuff and rearranging the furniture in every room, but one. Bags of items from all around the house were packed away for donation.
My son helped out with the giving also, as he picked through his toys. He loves to give items to people who need them. Almost every time I mention getting rid of something, he insists that we give it away. He has such a kind heart.
Yesterday, he was in a selling mood too. He found a 4 inch tall haunted house, made out of foam sheets, that he had made in school. “We can sell it, for a $1”, he said. So if you’ve been in the market for a purple foam house, look no further. We’ve got a deal for you! It comes unfurnished, but all utilities are paid.
Waking up this morning and walking out to see our ‘new’ home, was very refreshing. What better way to start off the new year, than with an uncluttered, nicely rearranged home?
If you’re looking for motivation to rid your home of clutter, along with the items in the “one day I might need that” category, just turn on an episode of ‘Hoarders’. That should do the trick.
Here’s to a fresh start for the new year!
Me - Who am I? 
I think this might have been the solution I was looking for. I will attempt this at home!
My son is quick to share, but he doesn’t yet easily give away. I hope as he gets a little older he will understand the importance, as I came from a childhood of needing others’ generosity.
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Watch one episode of that and you’ll be a cleaning like never before. 🙂
Once he gets out of the “it’s mine” phase, I’m sure he’ll get into the spirit of giving. My son has seen a lot of homeless people and those living in very rough areas, so he’s seen their needs first hand.
Maybe a trip to those areas in your town would give your son a better understanding. It’s hard to grasp, if they haven’t seen it or experienced it.
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I wish I could get my husband on the cleaning bandwagon. I swear that man is a pig.
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For men that can be quite the challenge. Some do a good job when it comes to cleaning. Others missed out on the clean genes altogether.
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I find it difficult to get rid of things, especially electronic/music equipment. I have 4 non-working record players and 2 non-working guitars among other misc stuff. Haha.
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Isn’t it funny how we hold on to things that don’t even work? I suppose we’re just waiting on the one day (the day that never comes) that we’ll get them fixed.
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Never know when I’ll need a replacement part for another one!! haha.
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Good for you. My GG tells me I hoard (only in my craft room lol). We have a little bit of clutter but I do try to thin it out on a regular basis. I know I regularly cull my closet but then I find wonderful outfits to replace what I’ve culled 😉
I found following Fly Lady has been beneficial to me over the years. Whilst I don’t do it every day, I keep my subscription going so that when I’m ready to do it again, I don’t have to re-subscribe. 🙂
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I can imagine how easy it would be to accumulate items in a craft room. After all, crafts are all about creativity and practically any item can be used for that. I’d be afraid to have a craft room. 🙂 Fly Lady? I’m going to have to look that up. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I was going to start the Fly Lady’s guidance. Aren’t her followers called Fly Babies? Maybe I’m thinking of something else. Her plan seems to be something I can keep up with. I need a babysitter telling me what to do sometimes.
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I just checked out her page and signed up on her email list. She seems to have a nice variety of to-do’s. I’m interested to see what the emails include.
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Make sure you sign up for the “Lite” list otherwise you will be bombarded with emails. 🙂 I really enjoyed putting together my ‘control manual’ when I was still at home. It broke things up into bite sized pieces. And their 21-fling boogie is a cool concept.
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You were right! I had signed up for the ‘recommended’ emails and woke up with about 4 of them in my email already. It’s been changed to “Lite”.
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I watch Hoarders for the inspiration to get moving. So far, I’ve watched maybe 50 episodes, and I’m still working on my motivation. 🙂 Seriously, it is a great motivation show, now that my mind is a bit clear, I am going to get started. Oh! It’s good to know I’m not the only one who has bills dated from the 2000’s, but I think mine were only back to 2006. Thanks for the kick in the rear!
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It easy to get hooked on that show. It’s good for motivation and for prompting the extra shower for the day. 🙂 Getting rid of that clutter is great mentally also. Today has been much more relaxing, just seeing that everything is organized/gone. You’re welcome! Glad I could help.
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I agree with the extra shower. I seriously use it for motivation. However, it’s kind of like watching exercise programs, and never leaving the couch. I do have some goals, and I’m breaking them down to the itty bitty steps.
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I used to watch Hoarders until it just became to sad to see how people live and the dysfunction of it all. I have learned over the years not to let possessions possess me- and it has kept me pretty clutter free. Yes I still have too much fabric for the quilts I will again start making, and too much yarn,for those upcoming projects, but purging years of papers is liberating. I do still have all the letters my grandmother wrote to me as a child (she is dead 38 years) and my mother in laws robe (she is dead 15) but some things just have too much sentimental value to part with. 🙂 Great post!
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It is sad indeed. I can’t imagine living that way or why people would. What’s saddening the most is when children are involved. It’s heartbreaking to watch.
There is certain ‘clutter’ that we can’t part with. Some things can’t be replaced, such as the keepsakes you mentioned.
It’s great that you are able to keep yourself from collecting too many possessions. It’s important to stay clutter free. It looks organized and also helps our overall mental well-being.
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I did reach a point where I felt my “collections” were just overrunning my life. I also think as I have gotten older I realize a lot of things I was holding onto weren’t important. I still have keepsakes, but I am selective about what I keep,which makes them more meaningful.
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I cannot make myself watch that show. Due to my job I have been in those homes. And it is beyond difficult to try and get help for this. It’s heart breaking. And often after having been to one, I’ve come home to clean. Not that my house needs it, but I think it’s a way of trying to clean what I saw.
I love that your son wants to give his stuff away. Except for the foam house, which I understand his desire to sell. Sadly, I don’t need one or I would offer to buy it! 😉
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I can’t imagine walking in those homes, but with certain professions a person would have no choice. You’re an amazing person to do that.
It’s not a well insulated home, so I completely understand. Maybe he’ll discount the price. 🙂
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If he does…I’m sure it will sell! 😉
I’m not so much amazing, just professional enough to do what I must to do my job. 🙂 I can’t say I “like” it. I will say I’ve been amazed. Maybe “amazed” isn’t the right word. But my brain is in awe/shock in some environments. I mean, is the hoarded house a physical re-creation of the person’s mind?
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That’s what I think. It’s a visible look at what’s invisible on the inside of a person. A person’s cleanliness or lack there of, speaks highly of the type of person they are in regard to every aspect of their life.
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for a year I watched “hoarders” religiously…loved it. I am a clean/neat freak and believe in throwing everything away and not having clutter……its weird how a lot of people become conditioned to save so much that they don’t need to be saving
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Wow, a clean neat freak – in guy form. 🙂 Good for you! People do get conditioned to it. I think it would be fabulous to throw everything out, except for my two keepsake boxes, and start over with nothing. Then, progress to having only the necessities.
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