Balancing “Hanging-on” with “Hoarding”
We all have that one area of controlled chaos in our lives.
The catch-it-all-drawer in your kitchen that just never stays organized and draws everything from can openers to sticky tape, matches and left-over Christmas candy. Whatever you looking for, whether its superglue, scissors, postage stamps (yes, really!) or spare keys, this is usually the first place you check.
If by some magic you don’t have this drawer, you probably have the basket/box/bag of mismatched and outdated cables…
Either way, the psychology behind these types of “just in case” stashes is clear. No one likes to be caught unprepared and its better to deal with a drawer or box of chaos than it is to have a middle of the night superglue or cable crisis.
While having this one area of unorganized clutter isn’t a big deal, you need to stay on top of it.
If you find your chaos creeping out of that drawer and over the edges of your cable box – if you realise that the superglue and scissors has been joined by useless clutter like empty packages, broken things, and dry pens, you need to act before “hanging on just in case”, becomes “hoarding”.
What is hoarding?
“Hoarding disorder is an ongoing difficulty throwing away or parting with possessions because you believe that you need to save them. You may experience distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. You gradually keep or gather a huge number of items, regardless of their actual value.”
The problem with hoarding is that it creates a cramped life, both physically and mentally, with very little space for growth and expansion. The home of a hoarder will often be so swamped by random possessions and clutter that there are only small walkways through the clutter and no clean, open surfaces available for things like cooking and working.
Hoarding is often associated with untreated mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Hoarding is a toxic cycle.
Hoarding can spiral out of control because it traps the hoarder in a prison of clutter. The lack of living space leads to a lack of “thinking space” causing your brain to stop functioning properly and leaving you paralysed and unable to get out of this cycle on your own.
There is a distinct difference between hoarding and collecting.
While hoarding follows no clear pattern and is generally signified by disorganized often useless possessions, collecting refers to choosing to keep a specific type or style of item and organizing or categorising it in a systemic way.
Common warning signs of hoarding include:
- An inability to let go of (often useless) items such as old newspapers and packaging.
- An accumulation of pets or other animals that do not receive sufficient care
- An inability to keep working and living spaces clean and functional. (hoarders often use stoves or sinks as storage, making them unusable.
- Anxiety and anger when confronted with the reality of their lives and a fear of getting rid of any possessions.
Staging an intervention or asking for help.
Hoarding is more than just being messy or disorganized. It is classified as a form of neurodivergence and like other types of mental illness it is not something that you can talk someone out of or simply punish someone for. The best advice when dealing with hoarding is to get professional help and approach it as you would any other disease.
Steps to fight the clutter creep.
Hoarding is however, a “creeping” disorder and if you catch it early on, it can be dealt with successfully before it becomes a big problem. The most important way of fighting hoarding is to remain logical about possessions, what they mean and when to keep them. The box of cables is fine to keep as long as the cables all still work, and most importantly, THEY CONNECT TO DEVICES YOU STILL OWN. The same goes for other items. Keeping a couple of glass jars to use as storage instead of plastic containers is fine, but keeping every single empty jar and bottle instead of recycling it is a slippery slope.
Keep one spare (but let the rest go!)
If you have more than one of any item you use often, we suggest keeping the one you use, and one other spare, but to let the rest go. Four hair dryers/bottle openers/soap dispensers are two too many, and they can be used and appreciated by someone less fortunate than you if you donate them.
Thoughtful consumerism
The less you buy, the less you’ll have to organize. It’s as simple as that. Whenever you are out shopping, think about what you have at home and make extra sure you need whatever it is you are buying. If you know you have the same item at home, but see this one as an upgrade, remember to organize and donate once you get home inline with the “keep one spare” rule.
