I have started out on a quest to 'down-size' my random accumulation of 'stuff.' This started a few months ago and has been prolonged due to procrastination. I have already set out a bunch of stuff for "The Arc" to come pick up for those in need. I do not have the patience to sit through a yard sale and have people mill through my 'stuff' (.."one persons junk is anothers treasure).

So, I have found myself knowing over the years that I have bizzare illogical reasons for keeping some things for as long as I have. I have made a concentrated effort rid myself of such things. Along the way I have found myself scrimmaging through and taking back some items both boxed and bagged.

I drove past someone elses garage sale and told myself not to stop. Yet, there had been something I saw and thought maybe I needed. I milled around their junk looking for my treasure. Knowing my 'condition' I forced myself to leave without buying anything. I proudly announced the owners.

I was back in 5 minutes purchasing a professional portable steam cleaner. I spent the day and evening steaming my bathroom and kitchen. I marveled at how clean it got the stove and nooks and crannies along the floor.

Once again distracted, yet cleaning in a way that I have never done before. I actually started to clean a room and finished!!! I wonder if it is new gadgetry that I need to start and finish something.

By the way... I have still yet to get officially diagnosed for ADD or ADHD. I feel borderline insane inside, but I attribute that to all the emphasis placed on this time of year.

Ohhhh yeah, I went to Las Vegas for thanksgiving. If I did not have ADD/ADHD before, I definately do now after getting lost or trying to find my way out of them casinos ~ and I don't even gamble!

Thanks for reading my random thoughts.

My biggest reason for keeping stuff is physics. It appears I am forever setting up housekeeping in locations that are freak gravitational vortexes. That's why, once a thing is in my house, it just stays whereever I dropped it. That's the only explanation I can come up with for why allllllll this stufffffffffff is around here. Once in a while the Forces recede enough for me to shovel some stuff out.

Nothing like rummaging through old boxes for bringing back memories....

Remembrance of things past.....

Maybe thats why we keep the stuff?

kilt

It's weird though. I get comfort from stuff. It's gotten me thru many a bad day. I can get into a collection, and escape.

It's weird though. I get comfort from stuff. It's gotten me thru many a bad day. I can get into a collection, and escape.
I kunderstand the statement above. when I get feeling scared or out of control i seem to want to get more stuff, maimly electronics or office thngs.

My biggest reason for keeping stuff is physics. It appears I am forever setting up housekeeping in locations that are freak gravitational vortexes. That's why, once a thing is in my house, it just stays whereever I dropped it. That's the only explanation I can come up with for why allllllll this stufffffffffff is around here. Once in a while the Forces recede enough for me to shovel some stuff out

I think I am in the same vortex.

...it just stays whereever I dropped it. That's the only explanation I can come up with for why allllllll this stufffffffffff is around here. Once in a while the Forces recede enough for me to shovel some stuff out.

I can't believe the things that drop... and how many times I step over it and for how long. I think about how normal people can walk to their bathrooms in the night and not have to turn on the lights and not step on ANYTHING."

I usually await the day that I am emotional/mental prepared and well rested to tackle at least 1/4 of a room to clean.

Nothing like rummaging through old boxes for bringing back memories....

Remembrance of things past.....

Maybe thats why we keep the stuff?

kilt

I wish it were so logical. My accumulation of stuff has to do with that 'rainy day syndrome.' If I won't ever need it, who knows when someone crosses my path who may need it (funny, I think I have just had a break through where it has taken me years of therapy to address... ;) thanks)

It's weird though. I get comfort from stuff. It's gotten me thru many a bad day. I can get into a collection, and escape.

Most of my collection of stuff has no memories... it is just stuff. I escape under the covers with a tv remote control. Of course that is after trying to find the remote control amongst the stuff.

I have tried really hard over the last year not to collect "stuff", and have actually gotten rid of a bunch of it. But my car is a different story, it is my vortex. "Stuff" will stay in there forever.

Lots of my stuff has memories, but lots also is for "just in case" . . .. you never know when you'll need it (not that I can actually find it when i need it!!)

I just adore everyone on this forum for being so honest . . . there have been many a time I've started to sink into the self-hatred spiral about my house full o' stuff . . . then I think about y'all and know I'm not the only one and it definitely does not make me a bad person . . .

I like stuff, too, but I think my accumulation comes from an inability to distinguish or prioritize what I will need in the future. I can be super attached to something, though, like an article of clothing, and then my husband forces me to throw it out or to give it away, and then two months later I can't for the life of me remember one thing I've thrown away. I guess that bad memory has blessing and curses -- you can't remember what you've lost, so you can't be upset about it!