Let’s be honest, everyone has those material possessions they just can’t let go of, for some reason or the other; whether it be from a past relationship, a family heirloom or a souvenir from a trip. But when does it evolve from harmless collecting into an unhealthy obsession?
A hoarder can be described as a person who has trouble letting go of material possessions such as furniture, clothes, shoes etc., so they begin to obsessively store them for long periods of time.
Here are a few signs to determine if you or someone you know has officially stepped into hoarder territory.
Your storage space begins to multiply
If you have a designated closet space or area for storing your items but notice that you have to start storing them in different areas of the house due to lack of space, you have slowly begun to hoard.
Old clothes, shoes and books (even with dust and mold) are competing for space in your home. You also tend to lose track of where certain items are and start to forget what exactly you have accumulated over the years.
Why not devote a few days per month to some good old spring cleaning, throwing out items you do not need. Get more organised, and once your space is uncluttered, your mind will be as well.
When you no longer know when enough IS really enough
Be aware of your urge to needlessly buy or otherwise acquire numerous amounts of the same item ‘just to be safe’. Items could range from grocery bags to ketchup packets, take out menus, disposable food containers, plastic cups, piles of cables and plugs (even though you have no clue what it should be connected to), old letters and birthday cards, old school papers etc.
There is nothing wrong with collecting memories and useful items here and there, but once you can no longer see when enough is enough, you’re hoarding.
When you become obsessed with getting every bang for your buck
If your philosophy is “why throw it out when there are still a few more good pumps in the shampoo bottle”, then you might have some hoarder habits. Before long, you may find yourself with several bottles awaiting their ‘last pump’.
Maybe, over time, your fridge has strictly become a ‘leftover’ zone because you “know that the chicken chow mein, pepperoni pizza and half eaten cheeseburger will taste just as good two weeks from now”; or you never buy sugar, salt, pepper, ketchup and other condiments at the store because you have uncontrollably stocked up at your favourite fast food restaurant and have enough to last for a lifetime.
When anxiety takes over
We all have trouble letting go of sentimental items. Some persons are terribly anxious over letting go, to the point of depression, hypertension and other serious health problems. When material items have enough power over you, that it begins to affect your health and well-being, you might have a serious problem and should seek urgent medical attention.
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #9, 2016 Issue.
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Let’s be honest, everyone has those material possessions they just can’t let go of, for some reason or the other; whether it be from a past relationship, a family heirloom or a souvenir from a trip. But when does it evolve from harmless collecting into an unhealthy obsession?
A hoarder can be described as a person who has trouble letting go of material possessions such as furniture, clothes, shoes etc., so they begin to obsessively store them for long periods of time.
Here are a few signs to determine if you or someone you know has officially stepped into hoarder territory.
Your storage space begins to multiply
If you have a designated closet space or area for storing your items but notice that you have to start storing them in different areas of the house due to lack of space, you have slowly begun to hoard.
Old clothes, shoes and books (even with dust and mold) are competing for space in your home. You also tend to lose track of where certain items are and start to forget what exactly you have accumulated over the years.
Why not devote a few days per month to some good old spring cleaning, throwing out items you do not need. Get more organised, and once your space is uncluttered, your mind will be as well.
When you no longer know when enough IS really enough
Be aware of your urge to needlessly buy or otherwise acquire numerous amounts of the same item ‘just to be safe’. Items could range from grocery bags to ketchup packets, take out menus, disposable food containers, plastic cups, piles of cables and plugs (even though you have no clue what it should be connected to), old letters and birthday cards, old school papers etc.
There is nothing wrong with collecting memories and useful items here and there, but once you can no longer see when enough is enough, you’re hoarding.
When you become obsessed with getting every bang for your buck
If your philosophy is “why throw it out when there are still a few more good pumps in the shampoo bottle”, then you might have some hoarder habits. Before long, you may find yourself with several bottles awaiting their ‘last pump’.
Maybe, over time, your fridge has strictly become a ‘leftover’ zone because you “know that the chicken chow mein, pepperoni pizza and half eaten cheeseburger will taste just as good two weeks from now”; or you never buy sugar, salt, pepper, ketchup and other condiments at the store because you have uncontrollably stocked up at your favourite fast food restaurant and have enough to last for a lifetime.
When anxiety takes over
We all have trouble letting go of sentimental items. Some persons are terribly anxious over letting go, to the point of depression, hypertension and other serious health problems. When material items have enough power over you, that it begins to affect your health and well-being, you might have a serious problem and should seek urgent medical attention.
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #9, 2016 Issue.
Share this post: