Tips for hoarders
Related story
PABSON emphasizes keeping private schools within companies
Every time to you go shopping, or to museums or the movies or basically anywhere, if you are a hoarder, then you'll find many objects of attraction and will go to great lengths to acquire it. Tell us if you still don't have that bill from the last time you had coffee, or the program from the last play you watched, or if you are a big scale hoarder, then maybe bottles, cartons, and...garbage? But, we ain't judging! The Week understands that these trinkets hold sentimental values and wants to help you with your hoarding tendencies, so that you can keep it under control and promote peace and happiness.
Your closet might be overflowing with whatever you are hoarding, or you might be running out of space under your bed. First of all, never let this happen. You took these objects under your wing because you grew affinity towards them and you should never disrespect that feeling. Ever. So be smart about it and categorize things from the start, so that you can sort them out and avoid clutter from whence, it will all be downhill.
Time and space
Everything that you have doesn't need to be kept with you. You didn't read that, did you? But it's true. You might not want to get rid of that music box someone once gifted you, or the perfume bottles that are so old, or that stack of magazines you've been saving since sixth grade. But there are some things that fail the test of time. Don't take it the bad way, it means that you are making room for something that has much more value in the present.
File it!
Collecting articles and photos in the form of magazines and newspapers might sound like a good idea, after all, you could have enjoyed it and were expecting to read those again but you never got the chance to. But stacking them up will in a big pile will only push you further from getting back to it again. Instead of keeping the entire thing, cut the photos, or articles and file it. You will have extra space and you will get to read the interesting things again and again, whenever you want.
Being Modern
Update and rearrange your wardrobe time and again. The clothes from five years ago are so out of fashion (probably) and will probably not fit you, too (oh, come on!). Use this fact to your advantage. Imagine yourself in the store, buying the clothes that you have a hard time throwing away, and ask whether you'd buy it now or not, and you'll have your answer.
Being selfless
The things that are just staying idle (and glorifying your place) could be useful for others. You know what they say – one man's treasure is also another man's treasure. So be selfless, and think of all those people who would enjoy having that item as much as you did, and tell us if the kindness in you won't have you good. So keep things aside for donation, or if it's in a good condition, even sell it! This isn't being selfless, but hey, you know what we say, we ain't judging!
Don't let them know
If you can't follow any of the above suggestions, or if you think that the thought of giving your babies away is much too painful, then make sure you stack it away safely, so that no one knows that they exist. For this, we recommend you to learn magic and make things invisible, or simply buy the invisibility cloak. Or better, put up a 'keep out' sign on your crib. You'll be fine.
People famous for hoarding:
Bettina Grossman
Grossman lived her life surrounded by art. Literally. She lived a hidden life as an artist; yet, under exposure never affected her love for art. She explored her talents in paintings, sculptures, drawings and films so much, that when a filmmaker called Sam Bassett befriended her, she could barely squeeze herself in her Chelsea Hotel apartment. He made a documentary on 2007 on her life where he also helped organize her massive inventory.
Zero Freitas
Freitas came to the media attention recently for his six million and more collection of vinyl discs. This 60 year old man had bought Canta para a juventude, by Roberto Carlos, in January 1965, with his first pocket money, followed by LPs of the Beatles, the Stones, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and many more. Now, he's hired a team of people to collect, clean, dust and photograph each and every one of them, and he's still looking for more. He plans to open up a library so that people can benefit from his collection.
Alexander Kennedy Miller
Alexander Kennedy Miller managed to keep his hoarding a secret until 1993, when he died aged 87. In his estate where he lived with his wife, he had hidden 30 original Stutz motorcars, a Stanley Steamer, a 1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, and a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. He also had a million dollar worth of gold bullion, 0.9 million in stock certificates and $75,000 in silver bullion. Besides that, he had an assortment of typewriters, sewing machines, and spool cabinets among others
