Natasha, I just saw your post for the first time, so by now, I'm sure it's too late to donate anything. I would love to know how your project went.

While I agree with Dave that ultimately, we have to take action, I also believe there is a lot of value in understanding why we do certain things. The understanding in and of itself may not make the old "stuff" suddenly disappear, but sometimes it may help us recognize unhelpful thought patterns that are contributing to our problem. We might find better, healthier ways to respond to those old thought patterns and feelings, ways that enrich our lives and the lives of others without contributing to the clutter/hoarding problem.

I'd love to know how your project turned out!

Hi Natasha,

Your post actually identified 3 different issues that you are attempting to deal with.

Understanding why people engage in hoarding behaviors.

a project for a class.

Dealing with your own clutter and hoarding behaviors.

I can't give you response for the first two, but I can tell you that study, understanding and empathy alone are not going to fix your own problem. It will be necessary for you to act upon it, regardless of how you feel or what you know or don't know.

One hoarding behavior or clutter creating behavior is actually to save assorted objects such as plastic razor blade covers, styrofoam meat trays, tin cans or plastic bottle caps (or plastic components from old disassembled printer ribbon cartridges) with the idea that someday they will be useful in an art or creative project. Unfortunatly, for most people engaging in those behaviors, "someday" never comes.

You can find a gentle presentation of the action point if you search out a blog called "Clutter Busting with Brooks Palmer"; and look for the March 13, 2014 post called "The Working Mind".

Brooks also suggests that saving old items because of their emotional attachments is a form of living in the past, stemming from confusing feelings about a past event with the event itself; and that these kind of attitudes prevent us from fully living in and enjoying the present. I don't have notes about some specific blog entries for that, so I can't point you to them.

I have hoarded from quite a young age, and would probably trace it back to my parents divorce when I was 6 as well as the subsequent downsizing.

I hoard any item which I attach emotion or memories to, as well as items I believe I will find use for at a later date. I collect all types of travel tickets; cards and letters; photographs; clothing; craft supplies; glass bottles and many more.

As a Graphic and Communication Design student, I saw my final major project as a perfect opportunity to explore the idea of causes and effects of hoarding relating to relationships, in particular family relationships. My hope is that from doing this project, and gaining a better understanding of mine and others hoarding, as well as the effects of this on the other people in my life, I may finally be able to begin to curb my own hoarding.

For the project to be a success I believe it is important to focus not only on my own hoarding but to include both stories and objects belonging to other people.

I am hoping to create installation style pieces which will eventually be displayed in a book.

If anyone has any items that they are wishing to, or would possibly be willing to, clear from their house I would be extremely interested in, and grateful for, speaking with you. I am also very interested in stories relating to causes and effects of hoarding.

Obviously if I were to end up taking anything off your hands I would pay all shipping etc.

Thank you
Natasha

mn09nfc@leeds.ac.uk