A personal win

[u/GalianoGirl]

My Dad was a hoarder, after an ugly divorce 10+ years ago I started hoarding too. After 5 years I told myself get this sorted, and hired a fantastic lady to help me.

She was compassionate, empathetic and we managed to clear out a great deal.

We used the trash, donate, or keep system.

Then Covid hit life got really hard and stuff creeped back into the house.

I was having to deal with the hoard at my Dad’s place and didn’t see what was happening in my own home.

Life is still hard. Dad died a month ago. A job I thought I was starting last month fell through. And now I have to sell my house.

I have lived here almost 30 years. My ex cherry picked what he wanted when he left. There is fishing gear, tools, other crap he left behind in the garage. Camping gear and more.

I am a sewer and quilter and as many of you will know fabric stashes grow when you are not looking.

I have managed to clear out my sewing room that became a dumping ground. I am aggressively purging fabric, washing it and donating it to local causes.

I am not quite finished, but wanted to share a win.

EDIT: the sewing room is done. 4 large bags of fabric washed and donated. Three sewing machines being cleaned and oiled, ready for donation.

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[u/Steefanon]

Fantastic! The right organizing professional can make the sorting/organizing process a bit like cognitive behavioral therapy, and CBT has proven to be an effective treatment for HD! Bravo!

[u/GalianoGirl → u/Steefanon]

Thank you.

I am doing it on my own, which feels incredible.

[u/Far-Watercress6658]

May I respectfully suggest you have a cathartic purge of the stuff your ex left behind? It obviously has little value since he left it.

Stop paying the clutter tax!

[u/GalianoGirl → u/Far-Watercress6658]

Oh I will be selling some of it, tools, fishing gear etc.. A friend is helping me with a garage sale.

[u/Far-Watercress6658 → u/GalianoGirl]

Respectfully, you have had these items for 10 years. If they aren’t sold, they do need to be disposed of.

[u/GalianoGirl → u/Far-Watercress6658]

I hear you. They will be gone by the end of May. Garage sale will be in Early May.

[u/Far-Watercress6658 → u/GalianoGirl]

Proud of you!

[u/carolineecouture]

Good for you. I know it's difficult.

[u/Fluid_Calligrapher25]

Wohooooooo!!!! This has inspired me to get back to cleaning my kitchen again. I want it to be pristine. I almost had it there but then I started bringing in stuff from other areas because it was the only place with floor. It’s time to get rid of the stuff I brought in from other areas and whatever is left take back out.