Last night I got together with a few friends, who are also single, and we started talking about what needs to be done around our homes. I need help finishing my bedroom, I’m tearing out the existing closets to build one big one. The girls agreed to help and then Nancy asked us to help her. She said she is a hoarder and needs us to help get rid of all the stuff she has accumulated.
You cannot imagine how excited I am! I am the anti hoarder, my friends make fun of me for my frequent purges. It’s really two extremes of the same thing, a need to be in control. When there are too many “things” in my home I feel out of control, getting rid of those things puts me in control again.
Hoarders are the opposite, being surrounded by things gives them the feeling of being in control, they know that no matter what it is you need, they probably have it.
I’m excited to help Nancy but I know it’s going to be tough. For me, if I haven’t worn something in the last year, out it goes. I don’t see the need to have 50 pairs of jeans and 100 pairs of shoes. It will be hard for her to give up her stuff, I know she will cling tightly to it, citing a reason why she needs each thing. It will be my job, as her friend, to remind her how much of her life these things take up.
Fortunately I’m a master organizer as well. I know we will only make a small dent, this is the first time Nancy has realized she needs to get rid of things. The things that stay will need to be better organized. Sometimes if people can’t find something because they are unorganized when they do find it, they keep it thinking that now that they know where it, they will use it.
Organization will help Nancy see how much of her stuff is really useful. She has some things that are purely decorative, she collects quilts. They are all very beautiful and some are old, but if they are just folded up taking space in a closet because you don’t want anyone to use them, then they are just clutter. My first project is coming up with a way for her to display those beautiful quilts so that she will get enjoyment out of them.
It’s going to be a challenge, but I love helping people get organized.