My earliest memories of hoarding junk were the semi-annual auctions my brother, Joseph, held in the basement. He would take his junk drawer and start the auction. All of the younger packrats would bid. "who wants this bouncy ball?" We'd all try to get as many things as we could and we'd take our loot back to our room and store it in our own junk drawers.
I've become quite self-actualized and can take responsibility for my own choices, but I will say that my parents probably enabled me to continue packratting because I had way more drawers than I needed in my room. So, while I'm confessing, I want you all to know that yes, I did in fact, have 17 junk drawers in my early youth.
Well, the truth is, I don't really want to be a packrat anymore. In fact, these days I may even have less junk than some of you. It's been really difficult, but each time I've moved (6 times since I've been married), I try to go through things. I can find an emotional attachment to just about anything. It hasn't been until the last year that I could in good conscience, throw away a gum wrapper (I collected gum wrappers for years in hopes of becoming famous). Anyway, the best thing my parents did for me (related to my packrat addiction) was making me take all of my stuff with me when I got married.
Sorry this is so long, I mostly just wanted to brag that I'm becoming more organized, consolidating boxes of stuff, and throwing away a lot of junk. Oh, and now I only have 2 junk drawers (maybe soon to be junk boxes :O). I'd love to hear your best organizing tips or your packrat tendencies.
7 comments:
Good for you to be de-junking! I decided a couple years ago, if I haven't used it, or worn it in the last year, it's probably safe to get rid of. It's just getting to that task of actually clearing it out. As for the more sentimental items, I've limited it to one box. It's just not worth it to me moving so much 'stuff' and have it take up room somewhere else. Now, when it comes to going through my kids stuff, it's just too overwhelming! I guess it is a good time for Spring cleaning!
Thanks for letting me view your blog. It sounds like you can get me inspired to clean today. I am a de-junker. I love it when Sheldon leaves town and I can go through his things. The nice thing about it is that he never knows what I throw away. I think we are all a little like that.
brava mags. I used to be a packrat. I need to declutter my house again too.
when you de-clutter do you make your bed and then put everything on top of your covers as you go through it? and then at 11pm you decide you're too tired so you push everything to the foot of your bed and then decide to organize next week? hmmmm... me too.
The horrible thing in our family is that we HATE to throw things away so we (temporarily) GIVE things away to someone else in the family, so in case we decide we do, in fact, need it again, it won't be impossible to get it back. So, having said that, I just wanted to point out that you actually GAVE away some of your junk in SG and, just in case you decide you need it again someday, it will be in Bob's room. I wonder how bobby feels about being the family junk drawer catch all. Let's not ask him.
We are going through the same process right now. I've never been a pack rat and never will be. But, David on the other hand....OH MY GOSH! He saves everything! It must be an Adams thing. :)
I don't have any advice, this post just brings back many happy memories.
Wow I love this post! I remember the gum wrappers and all the drawers in your old house! So great! I love you, Mags!
Post a Comment