compulsive hoarders
@SIMPLYD (90722)
Philippines
January 9, 2012 7:12pm CST
An old woman was shown on TV to have hoarded a lot of things in their house. Even the steel materials that her dead husband keeps when he was alive, was stored because of their sentimental value. They were lots of broken appliances stored but were irreparable .
The eldest daughter of the woman who visited even slept in the living room, because like her mother , her former room was filled with her things since she was younger! Oh my, the house was reallylike a junk shop! 
So the TV network, asked the old woman that they clean the whole house. The mother agreed but the daughter doesn’t like, but was relieved to see that the house was neat and orderly free from the hoarded things when she arrived from going out.
And the cleaning company were able to sell all those old things , which was a truckful for PhP9,000.00 plus or $210.00. 
Had I not convinced my in-laws from selling all the irreparable appliances too in their house and all other unused things , it would have looked like that house of junks too.
One thing I noticed, mostly, old people tend to hoard old things, even plastic bottles, cartons and the like. Me, I prefer to throw or sell things that are already obsolete or irreparable.
I think i am a minimalist when it comes to housekeeping.
What's your say guys?
So the TV network, asked the old woman that they clean the whole house. The mother agreed but the daughter doesn’t like, but was relieved to see that the house was neat and orderly free from the hoarded things when she arrived from going out.
And the cleaning company were able to sell all those old things , which was a truckful for PhP9,000.00 plus or $210.00.
Had I not convinced my in-laws from selling all the irreparable appliances too in their house and all other unused things , it would have looked like that house of junks too.
One thing I noticed, mostly, old people tend to hoard old things, even plastic bottles, cartons and the like. Me, I prefer to throw or sell things that are already obsolete or irreparable.
I think i am a minimalist when it comes to housekeeping.
What's your say guys?5 people like this
14 responses
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
12 Jan 12
I understand to a point for not getting rid of some things because of sentimental vague. But, I do not understand why people keep everything. If it's broken, throw it away. And if there is an outlet to sell it, then sell it and get the money. I sometimes have a problem getting rid of some of my kids old things. After all, they are still in good shape. I do give some away to my girls niece. But the rest I actually boxed and put away in the basement.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
13 Jan 12
I agree with what you do with old and broken things, intertia. Just like you all the play things , clothes and bags of my daughter, i give them to my nieces if she has outgrown them. The rest, i give them to an organization who deals with kids.
2 people like this
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
10 Jan 12
Jessica Soho show right?
I have also seen a lot more on TV. They were even worse because their house was not only cluttered with things but also with animal droppings.
I also feared for my own when I saw that show because I have so many neglected things at home but am very apprehensive about throwing them out, believing that they will be of use in the future.
At some point in my life, I threw a lot of stuff away and didn't regret a bit that I let go of them.
Sometimes I'm always at a dilemma whether to throw something and be branded as a wasteful person, or keep things and be a hoarder.
Which is which? So baffled.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
Yes, it's Jessica Soho's show, my friend.
Have you seen the bedroom also of the woman's daughter? She is more of a hoardder than her, because she refuse to let them be cleaned and be sold. And her room was really a mess.
At least the old woman hoarded in their store room. 
Have you seen the bedroom also of the woman's daughter? She is more of a hoardder than her, because she refuse to let them be cleaned and be sold. And her room was really a mess.
At least the old woman hoarded in their store room. @Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
13 Jan 12
Similar to the American shows, the son or daughter picks up the trait as well and is far even worse than the parent. I somehow understand the psychology behind hoarding. They usually happen when they lose a loved one, so they cling on to the things once owned. Objects become representations of that loved one and because it could not ever replace the one lost, they keep hoarding and hoarding but never finding satisfaction.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
13 Jan 12
I think it is okay to have something from a lost love one but not in a way that it will take a lot of space in the house. 
One nice thing that we can keep as a reminder of our lost love one are photos of them. That at least can be displayed in the living room or bedroom if you like to have them displayed.
One nice thing that we can keep as a reminder of our lost love one are photos of them. That at least can be displayed in the living room or bedroom if you like to have them displayed.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
10 Jan 12
Hi SimplyD,
I just can't stand the clutter of collecting too much stuff. I understand sentimental value to a point. I had boxes of drawings and school projects from my girls. I finally went through them and saved the best. Now I'm going to copy them to disc and if they want the originals then they can have them. Last year, I got rid of a huge cassette collection. It was ridiculous because I had them on this big shelf and all in alphabetical order. They took up so much space and I haven't had a tape deck in the longest time. Finally, I boxed them up and gave them a new home. 
I have also noticed that the worst offenders tend to be older people too. My mom was pretty bad. I think it was because they went through the great depression. I'm not sure but whenever we'd try to get her to get rid of some of those margarine tubs or whatnot, she'd say, " You just never know when you might need them."
I have also noticed that the worst offenders tend to be older people too. My mom was pretty bad. I think it was because they went through the great depression. I'm not sure but whenever we'd try to get her to get rid of some of those margarine tubs or whatnot, she'd say, " You just never know when you might need them." @sid556 (30960)
• United States
11 Jan 12
Oh I cleaned my mom's house once years ago when she had me house-sit while her and my dad went on vacation. That was over 25 yrs ago. I was bored and decided to surprise her by cleaning. It was my project for the week and I didn't even make a dent. I did throw away many of those annoying containers, old stacks of newspapers and mags. Old bills from when I was a child got tossed, bread ties etc. Mind you, I did save some of those containers but only a few. At first she loved how clean and organized everything looked. I didn't throw away a thing that might possibly have sentimental value no matter what I thought of it and I did not go into her room and through her personal items.I did not touch her make up of which she had shelves full of in the bathroom...some of which was almost gone and antique. Still, for the next several years, each and every time she could not find something, I got a call asking me if I'd thrown it out.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
11 Jan 12
Oh those margarine tubs, dishwashing containers, bottles, noodles cups among others, really makes me annoyed whenever i see them. My mother-in-law would collect them, just as you said "for any future need".
What i did, i put them in a big plastic bag and keep them in the cabinet below the sink! That way, i don't get to see them. But i will get rid of them one of these days, after i have talked to her about disposing them.
Oh those cassette tapes also, i am thinking of also discarding them because they are of no use to us anymore. I just don't have the time yet.
My husband and i have already cleaned the store room of some junks but i guess, in a few months there will be others again, as my mother-in-law keeps putting some in there! 
My husband and i have already cleaned the store room of some junks but i guess, in a few months there will be others again, as my mother-in-law keeps putting some in there! 1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
11 Jan 12
There's actually a show about these on cable, and I've seen a few episodes. It's interesting to see how people let 'sentimental value' run their lives. To a point where they don't live normally anymore.
I saw one show where his house was deemed unsafe and he got evicted. It's great that it is being brought to life, and that there are professionals helping them.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
12 Jan 12
Really, the owner was evicted ?
I think those compulsive hoarders really needs a professional help to address their being such, if it becomes overboard and their house becomes unsafe or unhealthy because of them.
We can keep items of sentimental value, but they just have to be maintained in a minimum number. It should not impair the healthy surrounding of the house.
I think those compulsive hoarders really needs a professional help to address their being such, if it becomes overboard and their house becomes unsafe or unhealthy because of them.
We can keep items of sentimental value, but they just have to be maintained in a minimum number. It should not impair the healthy surrounding of the house.1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
11 Jan 12
You know, these people really scare me. I'm not the most tidy person in the world and there might be times where I keep a few more things than I should, but those people who hoard really do make a bit of a sport out of it. Eventually everything that I don't have any use to gets thrown out. It might take a few weeks but really, not that bad.
Then again, there are some people who hoard to the point where it defies any level of sanity to say the very least. There are times where many people tend to really be a bit obsessive. It is rather horrifying, yet I cannot tear my eyes away. It makes me wonder how far these people go. It is rather mystifying in many ways to say the very least. But there are hoarders and there are HOARDERS! That's just how it goes.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
12 Jan 12
Indeed these type of people who hoards even the the most unusable things already , have some somewhat psychological disorder already.
The sight of a house so crammed up because of those hoarded things alone, is already enough for a normal person, to clean them. But it seems it isn't so, with these hoarders.
Sad, but there are a lot of people who are like this. And mostly they are those old people.
Sad, but there are a lot of people who are like this. And mostly they are those old people. 1 person likes this
@3mangesti (28)
• Indonesia
10 Jan 12
My friend's mom was crying so hard, when her son threw her rusty iron wok away... when he cleaned up their house after renovation done. He complained to me about this and asked me where to find the similar iron wok that usually to cook Chinese food--stir fry or deep fried.
I said to my friend to start looking at traditional market to go iron-wok hunting.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
Some old people could really be so much of a hoarder. Imagine your friend's mom crying over the thrown rusty iron wok ! Your friend could very well buy a new stainless one for that. 
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
Well, books are at least something to collect. They could be displayed as if they are trophies to tell everybody who comes to the house, that you are a wide reader. 
In fact, i have my vast collection of the Reader's Digest , during my many years of subscription to them . I think we cannot call that hoarding but collecting.
In fact, i have my vast collection of the Reader's Digest , during my many years of subscription to them . I think we cannot call that hoarding but collecting. @3mangesti (28)
• Indonesia
10 Jan 12
actually am a potential hoarder too... LOL... watch-out myself! LOL
I will use my stuff until the end, for clothes when they're tatters I'll just use them for mat in the kitchen or mop... but I really hate to see my all books and mangas (Japanese comics) gone for the exception awfully boring books...LOL... for those I'll just kiss 'em bye-bye....
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
Correct! Imagine whenever you see them all piled up in one room, and when you try to look for something, you have to move them to look for that item in the store room!
Those spaces could have been used as storage for things that are of use to the house.
Those spaces could have been used as storage for things that are of use to the house. 1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
I am also minimalist SimplyD. I do throw away what we do not need or sell it to the junk shop.
My hubby is a computer tech and he stashed a lot of monitors and CPUs at home! He can disabled and assemble them and sell them but there are a lot of stuff there that are not working! So i did sort out what can be thrown...or sold.. and things are clean lol 1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
11 Jan 12
Just like your house Jazel, our stock room which is actually an unused bedroom was formerly also filled with old irreparable computer monitors and the like.
But through my prodding, my husband sorted them all out and sold them. Thus, he has some extra money. He gave some to me and we bought a big pizza!
Well, that was some sort of a reward for us, for cleaning the room.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
10 Jan 12
I am also a minimalist and I only keep the things that I really like and the things that I know I am going to use again. My husband is a hoarder. Whenever I want to throw something away, he says: "No, no wait, I want to keep that, I can use it"
I think that I have become a minimalist, because there are hoarders in my family and I don't want to live like them. My great-grandfather was a huge hoarder and he kept things that were 60 years old and broken. As a child I loved to explore his attic, and I loved to read the old magazines from the 1940's, but I don't want to live the way that he did.
I think that I have become a minimalist, because there are hoarders in my family and I don't want to live like them. My great-grandfather was a huge hoarder and he kept things that were 60 years old and broken. As a child I loved to explore his attic, and I loved to read the old magazines from the 1940's, but I don't want to live the way that he did.1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
11 Jan 12
Actually, my husband is a bit of a hoarder too.
When we sorted out the old things stocked at the store room, he wouldn't let me throw the old books of my child from her elementary and high school days. Yet, those books are actually a workbook, where any child will have no need of it anymore when they reached those grades.
Thus, we still have a big plastic of books that occupies a big part of the store room.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
10 Jan 12
Hi SIMPLYD
Well, I do have a clock that was used by my grandparents. I grew up watching time on that one. It is beyond repairs stage today. But that doesnt fit in as Hoarding. I think people hoard stuffs because of their emotional attachment with these. But today, when the houses have reduced in sizes, and also people have become less attached to their gifts, parents, I think, hoarding things which are now antiques is confined to only a few hundred or thousands only.
Well, I do have a clock that was used by my grandparents. I grew up watching time on that one. It is beyond repairs stage today. But that doesnt fit in as Hoarding. I think people hoard stuffs because of their emotional attachment with these. But today, when the houses have reduced in sizes, and also people have become less attached to their gifts, parents, I think, hoarding things which are now antiques is confined to only a few hundred or thousands only.@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
11 Jan 12
It's really a big thing if the parents gets to stock, not hoard things that are irreparable yet would be of value after many years when it has become "antique" as they say, sids.
Yes, they cannot be considered hoarding but a collection for future increase in value, thus gaining something from it, even if it's considered beyond repair. I would do that also for those kind of things.
But when they are those worthless things such as cartons, bottles , margarine containers and the like, you can obviously say that they are hoarded .
But when they are those worthless things such as cartons, bottles , margarine containers and the like, you can obviously say that they are hoarded .1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
I think compulsive hoarders need help. I watched a show just like that and the lady said that she started hoarding when her kids had gone out of her house into their own places. So the therapist said that it was her way of coping with the feeling of "emptiness" in her home. It was difficult for him to let the things go, but she had so much stuff and had not cleaned her house in a while that her husband always got sick. That made the children decide to seek help for her. For me, I may try to hold on to some things, but not to all things. Once in a while, I go through my things and give away those that can still be used and throw those that can't. And since I've moved house 3 times in the past 3 years, my things got trimmed because of the tediousness of moving with a lot of stuff.
1 person likes this
@cearn25 (3456)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
I keep all the things I own in my room. I really hesitate on giving them. It is just there in my room including my boxes of notebooks from elementary and high school, dresses way back when I was still young and so many other things. By the time my father arrived, I bid goodbye to them already because he gave and throw all those things. I was sad because I have to leave them. I am happy though when I see my room already clean.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
All my daughter's things such as the notebooks , notes and scrap books and other things from her high school, i keep them in a big , transparent plastic container. Whenever she remembers something to look at from them, she would just have to open them.
But it's in the store room.
@ajagogo (153)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
I can relate to that,lol. My grandmother is definitely one of them. At first, she just want to collect dolls, she even keeps those 35 years old dolls,almost deteriorating. Besides from dolls, she also keep even the smallest thing she think is cute. She collects money, panties,dangling earrings (she loves to wear that too),plastics with beautiful kids or women on it. She even cut outs pictures of her favorite artist in the newspaper and magazine and then put it in her room.The result? No space already in her room. There is only a little space so you can still open the door and see what is inside of it. She is now sleeping on the living room.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
11 Jan 12
Oh my, your granny's very much like that woman in the show, where her bedroom was filled with things she bought from ukay-ukay and would later be not used and many other things. So much so, that she also sleeps in the living room whenever she visits the house of her parents.
When the TV network sent a cleaning agency for free . to clean her bedroom, she refused. She still would like to do it herself and sort them out. Yet, it was there for many, many years when she left and have a family of her own.
Now that she's visiting she has nowhere to sleep. 
1 person likes this
