How to Stop Hoarding Things

From time to time, many people have difficulty throwing things away and getting rid of clutter inside of their homes, whether it be clothing or old toys. A little bit of clutter and holding onto things is normal. However, for people who have a serious inability to discard belongings to the point that their homes are filled to the brim, hoarding can be a major problem. If hoarding is making your home practically uninhabitable, take action by organizing your mind and your life.

Instructions

• 1

  Handle mail immediately. Newspapers and letters can pile up quickly, seeing as they show up at your door almost on a daily basis. As a result, these things can contribute greatly to clutter and lack of organization. To combat this, sort through incoming newspapers and mail as you receive them. Either throw these things away immediately or store them on a designated shelf.

• 2

  Consider your use for certain things. When people start to throw things out, they often stop and say to themselves, "I might be able to use this someday," and so they keep it. Although you may technically be able to use Santa Claus coasters from 1986, it doesn't mean that you will. Be honest, and ask yourself if you can genuinely picture yourself using a certain item within the next six months or so. If you cannot, discard it immediately, with no regrets.

• 3

  Eliminate any extras. When it comes to home organization, less is more. Remember that you do not need five televisions (especially when three of them haven't been turned on in over a decade), four microwave ovens and three red raincoats. Go through all of your belongings and try to get rid of things of which you own more than one.

• 4

  Put your clothing away. One culprit behind many messy homes is laundry. A common scenario for hoarders is taking their laundry out of the dryer and then simply leaving it out indefinitely, whether on the couch, on the counter or on the bedroom floor. After your clothes have finished washing and drying, deal with them immediately and put them away in their respective closets, drawers, shelves and storage units.

• 5

  Be choosy about things you buy. Ponder whether you truly need something for several days before purchasing it. Avoid impulse purchases, and only buy things that you really need. When you add something new to your home, try to free up the space beforehand by first throwing out something you already had that you don't need anymore.

• 6

  Spring clean your home every three months or so. Abstain from being sentimental and nostalgic; look at the big picture when cleaning out your home, and determine whether things need to be thrown away. Honestly consult yourself about whether something still is your style today. If it is something that you haven't used or worn in six months or is something that you would never think about buying now, get rid of it without hesitation.

• 7

  Take your time. Avoid making rash decisions and throwing everything away all at once. Doing this may cause you to feel upset and regretful later on. Instead, begin slowly and work in sections, focusing on one area per day.

• 8

  Downsize your belongings. If you are a proud mother and own a collection of 50 of your daughter's finest drawings from elementary school, try to pick out your favorite five or so as representative pieces. Discard the rest, and just keep the ones you love the most.