Hey? Wow! Fantastic job! You are clearly starting down a great path! Congratulations! :D :D :D

Hey? Wow! Fantastic job! You are clearly starting down a great path! Congratulations! :D :D :D

Thanks! You are 100% right. I swear that I almost had a mental breakdown yesterday. I took some of my mom's stuff from my basement and took it to her house. Half of it was junk and some of it was from one of her precious ceramics collections. I wanted to test her to see what she would take. Of course, she insisted that she had to keep some of the junk. We got into a big fight. She accused me of taking some of her dishes. Of course, I found them in her spare bedroom where they were for years! Then, I ended up cleaning a bunch of her stuff up. She was shocked by the things we found. (All precious, but then the sheer numbers of things starting to impact.) We set a lot of it aside to "sell" and then donate. She really thinks that people will want this junk. Some of it collectible glass, but most was like old baskets, ornaments, and books. She finally started to let me throw away damaged and stained items, so we made some progress.

One thing that helped was me taking pictures of all the junk. Pictures don't lie. Then, she started the "it's all your brother's junk", well, my brother came and started to throw away his mess.

So, we decided to try to sell the stuff once online, consignment shops, and a garage sell and then donate the rest. Now, let's see if this works.

Personally, i absolutely think you should get that stuff out of your space. If it were me, id take a couple of momentos of his, and then maybe tell your family they have one week to take what they want. After that id toss every bit left and feel guilt free! Im serious...that situation does no good for any of you?!

Personally, i absolutely think you should get that stuff out of your space. If it were me, id take a couple of momentos of his, and then maybe tell your family they have one week to take what they want. After that id toss every bit left and feel guilt free! Im serious...that situation does no good for any of you?!

Thanks for the info. I've been looking online and have been shocked by the high costs of places like 1-800-Hoarders or whatever it is called. The stuff I have in my garage is really mostly books, odds and ends, and stuff from my late father's business. That is why my family is resistant to me "throwing it out." It could be resold. Some of it does have some value, I guess. For me, though, I don't care about the "money", I just want it gone. My family has had over a decade to sell this stuff, if they really wanted to. Instead, they let it sit collecting dust and cob webs. I know there are rodents running around my garage. I can hear them and have found their nests. Yuck.

I think the time has come for me to get tough and take control. It's my house and I need to stop letting my family put their junk in it. If I need to change the locks, I guess I might have to go there. It's not easier to be a hoarder and have your entire family be hoarders. They thwart me every step of the way.

I just want all of this junk gone! I think it might be worth it to pay someone to take it all:) Your success gives me hope that I can get the courage to stand up to my family and get rid of this mess.

Thanks and keep posting.

I'm new here too. I understand your feelings. Oh gosh, do I understand you. I'm in the process of having a company do the clean out. They started today.

I just want you to know that I understand. All those feelings running through your mind. I want to validate those for you because I am right next to you in that boat. I know right now I'm barely hanging on and it just feels better to know that other people know this struggle and these feelings and I'm not the only one.

I'm working with the company Steri-Clean, a branch based in Indiana and they came out of state to help me. They've been so great through this process and the owner of the branch I am working with has been amazing. I hope you're able to find someone like them.

I must have been rushing!

Thanks for your reply. It has been a tough week. I know I am making a lot of progress, but I just have so much stuff. However, some rooms that I have gone through feel amazing! Coming here is a big help.

Keep checking in!

Hi Mortified and Mshope!! Starting out can feel overwhelming, but it's amazing how much gets done when you do little things with consistency. Every piece of garbage tossed, every plate washed, shirt folded, etc adds up. Just keep going in the right direction.

Regarding the cleaning service, can you call a different local service. If they can't help, they might have a recommendation for a service that can.

Good luck to both of you!

Hi Mshope2012
Thank you for your reply :>). I try to get small things taken care of (like dishes, loads of laundry, unpack a box or 2, etc. each day. Seems like it will never end, so I get the same feelings as you - wish it would all just be done!
I sent a message to a hoarding service co. that is on this website - it 'said' I'd get a reply w/in 24 hours - no such luck which is even more discouraging - but I try to keep plugging away.
Keep up your spirits, & thanks again -

Hi, I'm new here, too. I know how you feel. I am slowly getting my house done although the garage and storage areas are still a nightmare.

I am just going from area to area. For example, instead of doing the whole kitchen, I just do the pantry first. I have been trying to keep that "clean" area clean, but due to some home repairs, things are getting shifted. At this point, I just want it all gone.

Keep going! Just take it area by area.

Hello I just found this site. I am in counseling (which helps a lot) but I am so overwhelmed by how much needs to be done, scared, and ashamed.