subject: Six Easy Junk Removal Steps For Hoarders [print this page] True hoarding is an addiction; it can stem from overcompensating for a deprived childhood or a fear of never having enough in the future. Either way, it ruins the lives of the sufferers and their loved ones. It can lead to intense isolation, fear of guests, and - at times - an inability to leave the house. The psychological mountains that have to be scaled before the actual junk removal can begin are real and often require professional help. If this is you, please avail yourself of these services. But once you've overcome those hurdles and are ready for the actual debris removal work, these six steps will make it as easy as such a task can be. These six steps are logical and easy to follow; they have the power to turn a daunting task into a manageable adventure. Review these steps and then get down to business.
Step one: Start slow. Don't think you're going to plow through your house and throw everything in a dumpster for carting off immediately. This kind of mania will start off strong and then fizzle out as the task proceeds onward. Start slow. Take one room at a time. Or, one wall space at a time. Got a slew of random collections? Deal with one today and put the next one off until tomorrow.
Step two: Force yourself to handle each item you come across only once. This eliminates indecision and reduces the risk of just moving items from one pile to another. Everything you pick up needs to be dealt with immediately. Toss it and sign up for debris removal. Donate it. Or keep it. But once you've made a choice - that's the final word.Step three: Collectors needn't toss every single item. Just keep the top three from each collection and toss/donate the rest. Duplicate aren't needed and must go. Keep the ones you love and get rid of the rest.
Step four: Employ the use of a box. Put questionable items in a box for 6 months. If after that time period, you haven't used it - it get tossed. If you use it in that time period, find a logical place for it to go and keep it.Step five: Toss all un-used items. Owned something for months and months without even opening it? It's got to go. That's what junk removal is all about. Toss it and move on to the next item.Step six: Donate. Sometimes it's easier to part with objects when we know they are going to someone else - not in the trash. Donate it and know it's finding a nice home - that isn't your home.
