How can I get a pack-rat to de-clutter?
Question:Short of throwing crap away, how can I get someone to de-clutter? I feel like he has made SO much progress, but he still is hanging on to stuff just for the sake of keeping it. I've pleaded.. and begged- nothing works. So far, the only thing that has been working is "donating" his stuff.
Answers:
I deal with this every day. Hoarding is the term used. Sometimes it is a true mental illness that causes someone to hold on to items.the item has sentimental meaning and therefore represents the person who gave it to them...if they throw away the item, in essence, they throw away the person. Or they feel that something bad will happen to them (this is an OCD feeling).
It is hard for some people to donate stuff because they feel their stuff will be misused or unappreciated.
I would be happy to talk with you about ways to help this person. Just e-mail me.
You need the Flylady aka Marla Cilley!! Decluttering is her mission in life. Her site is free www.flylady.net. I've been using her system for 6 years and it's made a huge difference.
Its a slow process that cannot be rushed. My mother has been going through the same thing for about 10 years. Rubbermaid containers work in the mean time.
More Related Questions & Answers...