The danger of hoarding

USA TODAY ^ | 2/18/2004 9:57 PM | Joyce Cohen

[EvaClement]

For 25 years, a difficult-neighbor problem plagued Curtis and Elaine Colvin of Seattle. The neighbor's home and lawn resembled a junkyard. Finally, last spring, the elderly man was taken out of state by relatives.

Konstantinos Apostolou bought the house

[EvaClement]

I've been saying I need to do clean some closets this spring. This article truly motivates me! E.C.

[EvaClement]

My sister is trying to tell me something? She was the one that emailed me the pointer to the article, and now, this:

How Bad is Your Clutter Situation?
Find out how you rate on the Clutter Scale!

1). If someone wanted to come over for a visit, how long would it take you to clean up?

I wouldn't have to do anything (0 points) One Hour (2 points) One Day (5 points) One Week (8 points) I would ask them not to come (10 points)

2.) Would you be able to give a friend a ride in your car if they asked?

Yes, the whole car is clean (0 points) Yes, only the trunk is cluttered (2 points) Yes as long as it's only one person the trunk, backseat are filled (5 points) No, the passenger seat is inaccessible (8 points) No, the whole car is stuffed and windows are blocked (10 points)

3). How much of the floor space in your house is covered (with collections of magazines, piles of clothing, stacked boxes, etc) and not available for walking?

None (0 points) 25% (2 points) 50% (5 points) 75% (8 points) 100% (10 points)

4). How much of the horizontal surface space (counter tops, tabletops, chair seats, dressers, desktops, coffee table, etc) in your house is covered, and unavailable for intended purpose?

None (0 points) 25% (2 points) 50% (5 points) 75% (8 points) 100% (10 points)

5). If you need a particular item or paper document, how long will it take you to find it on average?

30 seconds (0 points) 15 minutes (2 points) An hour (5 points) All day (8 points) I'll never find it (10 points)

6). How many of your appliances are functioning perfectly and available for intended use?

All (0 points) One is not working, but I have set a date for repair (2 points) Two are not working but I will have them repaired this month (5 points) Several are broken, I can't remember for how long (8 points) None are working and I have no idea when they will be (10 points)

7). In regards to adding more clutter to your life ("Compulsive Acquisition"), how often do you come home with an impulse purchase, and later regret it?

Never (0 points) Once a month (2 points) Once or twice a month (5 points) Once a day (8 points) Several times a day and many items (10 points)

8). In regards to adding more clutter to your life ("Compulsive Acquisition"), how often do you come home with freebie flyers or "free" items picked from the curbside trash?

Never (0 points) Once a month (2 points) Once or twice a week (5 points) Once a day (8 points) Several times a day and many items (10 points)

9). How difficult is it for you to let go of things?

I have no problem getting rid of things; I'm a "tosser"! (0 points) I hesitate a little, but usually let go of most stuff (2 points) I hang onto things but eventually let go if it goes to a good home! (5 points) I struggle with the question "What if I need it later?", and hang onto most things. (8 points) I am paralyzed by the thought of letting anything go and therefore nothing leaves my life (10 points)

10). How much does the clutter in my life impact personal relationships?

It has an effect on relationships, but only in a minor way. (2 points) It has an effect on relationships; we have been working through compromises about it. (5 points) It is causing increasing stress in relationships; nothing seems to help; I am worried about the future. (8 points) I have already lost a relationship because of clutter. (10
points)

[meowmeow]

When I bought my house, there was a hoarder across the street. His yard was filled with appliances and crap and the house was overflowing. He was the single point failure of a generally well kept block but I got my house pretty cheap. Eventually he disappeared, was arrested somewhere for something and the house was seized. The Emptying of the Rat House was a neighborhood event, we all sat out in our yards and watched them fill dumpster after dumpster. A single guy bought it, fixed it up and made us all very happy.

For you mildly disturbed hoarders, go to www.flylady.net.

I used to be somewhat obsessed with acquiring things, but now I am obsessed with getting rid of them. For the rest of us it is not so much mental illness as a wrong attitude about stuff and what its real value is. Now I lay up treasures in heaven.

[Tijeras_Slim]

This article makes me sad... I just had to have one of my favorite dust bunnies euthanized, it was 12 years old. :)

[EuroFrog]

My big problem was not that I had too much stuff, but that I didnt have enough space for all of it. Eventually the light popped on over my head and I realized I had plenty of space and too much junk. 6 lawn and leaf bags later I was feeling better. (And that was all out of various closets in the house). Still have all the stuff in the storage room to go through.

[radiohead]

It is but a short step from hoarding to:

http://www.network54.com/Realm/Squalor_Survivors/

Yep, that's what it says, "Squalor Survivors." Go to the photos section and click away.

[kimmie7]

This article and watching Clean Sweep on TLC. Between the two, my hubby will be on the curb if he sits still too long! lol