Are you a hoarder?
There is a huge difference between clutter that’s simply out of control and clutter that’s been accumulated by a hoarder.
For one reason or another, spare rooms etc. can become unusable due to excess clutter, but given the attention and time, most people can attack this and get rid of it. A true hoarder, is unable to get rid of anything, won’t like you touching their things or moving them, and has every reason under the sun to keep everything.
Over the years, from our experience, we are convinced there is a hoarder living in every street. There is evidence to show hoarding is hereditary but it is not the only reason.
The reasons as to why people hoard are as varied as to the items being hoarded. Some people are compulsive shoppers from either shopping channels and internet or letter box brochures or catalogues; others hoard food; some collect anything and everything off curb side clean-ups because they hate to see waste; some are termed binners – where they pull items from skip bins; others collect free items with the intent to sell items on e-bay, but of course they never sell them.
Common traits we’ve encountered:
- there are tell tale signs from the street – large stacks of items around the house, in the carport, down the side, on front verandah’s, some of these collections are huge which is a sign the house is full and they’re now overflowing outside;
- their cars are usually full of things;
- there is a big collection of containers or boxes with the intent to organise their belongings;
- they can justify why they keep the smallest item;
- no matter how large the hoarding problem is, they know where most things are;
- almost all have an off-site storage facility.
Here are a few reasons we’ve encountered as to why people hoard:
Perfectionism: Yes, perfectionism doesn’t sound right, but some perfectionists can’t make the perfect decision about whether they should get rid of something or keep it, so rather than make the wrong decision, they don’t make one at all and hence clutter begins to build.
Early trauma in their lives: Some people have been affected by a trauma in their lives and surround themselves with various items in order to feel safe.
I might need that one day: This is a common thought. What if I throw something out and then I need it? The smallest fear or doubt that you might need something is enough to keep everyting.
Someone might need something: Again, alot of people have the feeling they’d like to help people and if someone should mention they were in need of something, this person would be able to give it to them and feel good.
Emotional Attachment: We all have things we’re attached to for various reasons and they’re ok to keep, but a hoarder’s attachment can become very intense and can become attached to literally hundreds or things and then can’t bare to get rid of them.
Don’t like to see waste: Because so many things are discarded these days, some people can’t bare the thought of waste, so they take the items and keep them. Some think they’ll sell them on e-bay and others just keep them so it’s not thrown out.
Inherited items: Some people end up living in their parents or in-laws house and inherit all their belongings and others simply inherit people’s belongings. Most people can sort through this and keep a few sentimental pieces, but others feel tremendous guilt about getting rid of items so they keep everything.
Most people have a little of each of the above traits, but it’s when one or more of these become obsessive and out of control.
Ask yourself these questions:
- How much of your home is cluttered with possessions?
- Do you have rooms you can’t access?
- Does your clutter prevent you from living comfortably in your own home?
- To what extent do you have difficulty letting things go?
- How distressed does the thought of throwing something out affect you?
- If you have children, do they have asthma or skin irritations?
- Is your car another storage area?
- Do you have off-site storage?
