Help!! I'm a Pack Rat looking to be cured!

[BoMac]

For as long as I can remember I had trouble throwing things out. Newspapers,books,magazines,clothes—you name it—and I kept it. Things would begin piling up, collecting dust.

I'm the most disorganized person I know. Yet, it has always worked for me as I work better in "organized chaos". But now I'm in a career that I need to be more organized(I'm a journalist) and I'm struggling with getting organized. My desk is a mess and papers are piling up.

Does anybody here have the same problem? If so has anyone overcome these issues? I've tried being more organized in the past but that's usually lasted no more than a week.

 

[shaynar]

oh man, I'm totally the same! I used to have stacks and stacks of old magazines (I planned on one day going through them all and cutting out articles) and my closet was actually bursting open full of clothes that I hadn't worn in years!

[oh the irony of having a mess of Martha Stewart Living magazines!]

One day I just got fed up with all the magazines and actually spent a weekend with scissors, a hole punch and a binder and made myself the best scrap book of recipes, decortating tips etc etc.

When it came to my closet I told myself that I wasn't allowed to buy anything new until I had room for new clothes, and if I did I wouldn't let myself wear it. So I brought garbage bags to my room and tried stuff on. If it didn't fit, didn't like it or haven't worn it in 12 months I tossed it and gave to charity (which made me feel good anyhow.) Now my closet is nice and orginized and I have a set of clothes that actually fit me and that I like.

The best thing is that I found that the more orginized my room was the less stress I felt. I loved walking into my room each and every time.

Obviously the whole idea of making rules is totally against the whole pack rat thing, but it has to be done.

Good luck!

 

[daafish]

A friends mom had some good advice about this. She said that if you haven't done anything with it in 6 months - i.e. reading magazines, wearing clothes, etc. - you probably won't in the next 6 months so why keep it? Sounds reasonable.

I've just cleaned out my storage and am in the process of throwing things out that I haven't used in a couple years.

 

[BoMac]

Good luck!

Thanks Shaynar. Incidentally, is that you in the photo in your signature? I could have sworn I've seen you before.

Were you the girl pulled onstage at the Montreal 11/26 show?

 

[BoMac]

A friends mom had some good advice about this. She said that if you haven't done anything with it in 6 months - i.e. reading magazines, wearing clothes, etc. - you probably won't in the next 6 months so why keep it? Sounds reasonable.

Yeah I'm trying to do that now. You'd be surprised what I've found. Some of it depressing—I had how much money in my bank account a year ago?

It's not always easy though!

 

[redkat]

make a habit of throwing 10 things away every day until things get cleared up and then periodically from then on. Just go around with a trash bag it's amazing how fast things will clear up.

I'm not organized by any means but at least there is no clutter

 

[Cleasai]

Some helpful resources for Packrats...

shesorganized.com
organizedhome.com
lifeorganizers.com
flylady.com

That last site, flylady, has been very helpful for me. Unfortunately I think it's rather sexist. Very good ideas on how to cut clutter though.

 

[shaynar]

Were you the girl pulled onstage at the Montreal 11/26 show?

Actually I was pulled up the second show, Montreal 11/28
did you go to both shows? Montreal is the most awesome place for concerts!

make a habit of throwing 10 things away every day until things get cleared up and then periodically from then on. Just go around with a trash bag it's amazing how fast things will clear up.

That's an awesome idea... I will use it to clean up my room!!!

 

[BoMac]

Actually I was pulled up the second show, Montreal 11/28
did you go to both shows? Montreal is the most awesome place for concerts!

Right, sorry, 11/28. Yes I went to both shows and ended up front row both times. I was standing right next to you I believe. Awesome is an understatement! By the way, I , um enjoyed your dancing!

 

[BoMac]

Some helpful resources for Packrats...

shesorganized.com
organizedhome.com
lifeorganizers.com
flylady.com

Thanks. I'll check them out!

 

[Liesje]

When I clean I saw "If I have not used/worn/looked at this in the past 6 months, it's gone." If there's still too much, I keep all my collectibles contained in two rubbermaid boxes. If I have too much, something else has to be thrown out. Of course one box is U2 and the other is everything else!

 

[SunBloc]

make a habit of throwing 10 things away every day until things get cleared up and then periodically from then on. Just go around with a trash bag it's amazing how fast things will clear up.

I'm not organized by any means but at least there is no clutter

I do this too - for my laundy/closet. I hang or fold about 10 things a day. It does work.

I buy a lot of trash bags and the new huge zip-lock bags and go through the kitchen storage areas & linen closet about once every 4-6 months.

Out of NECESSITY, I HAD to start doing something to get rid of the excess!!!! I also had a big garage sale and take stuff to the consignment store on a regular basis. Now I'm starting to see more of the house and less of the stuff. It's a lot easier to clean now that there isn't nearly as much in it!!!

 

[Carek1230]

I try to do 2 big cleaning swoops through the place per year, just before winter and springtime--sort of like when shifting the summer clothes to the back of the closet and bringing out the warmer winter clothes, etc.. I try to use the rule of thumb if it's not been read or done in 6 mos., toss it....with clothes if it's something I've not worn in a year, toss it....amazing how much cleaner the place is when I clean things out. I try to keep my closet and drawers clean by folding laundry and putting it away each load right out of the dryer. That way piles of clothes don't take up space.

I keep collectibles in rubbermaid tubs like seasonal decorations and my U2 collectible things so they won't get damaged.

 

[MrBrau1]

throw out anything you haven't touched in the past year.