Compulsive hoarding is a mental disorder that is just beginning to be understood. As a hoarder, I have acquired things over the years with a specific purpose in mind at the time of the acquisition, used some of those items for their intended purposes, forgotten the goal for different objects, but now that I find that they have outlived their purpose in my life I am struggling to rid myself of those same things.

You can read the start of my journey here.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Cluttered Desk is the Sign of a Cluttered Mind

No truer words were ever spoken! My mind has always felt like it goes in several directions at once. I can be working on one project, walk by another, and totally forget I was working on the first until hours or even days later. Everything seems to call for my attention, whether it's this pile or that, the kids, my husband, breakfast, lunch and dinner, the school, or the groups I have online.

So today I made the choice to give up moderating the most demanding of my groups, even though it's not horribly busy. I've been on the group for several years, but it's time for me to pass the torch or delete the group. I can live with either. I just need fewer things pulling me in different directions. I feel relieved at having made the decision.

Today has been somewhat productive. I found homes for several things today, and I'm waiting for someone to come pick up the cabinets I mentioned the other day. If they aren't picked up tonight, they'll be picked up by a thrift store tomorrow. It will be nice to be rid of them!

Last night, I was able to sort through several small boxes and save only 5 or so papers from all of it. That was nice. Granted, 2 boxes were full of packing peanuts, but they're gone now. Someone picked them up this morning, and they're out of my hair. Other things were sorted into a 'shredables' box, newspapers or trash.

Physically, I'm exhausted. I think I'm coming down with something again. Mentally, I feel the best I have in a few years, even though so much lies ahead. I've made my decision. I am going to beat this thing.

To quote Albert Einstein,
"If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?"

I will never have an empty desk, nor will I have an empty mind. However, both of them will eventually be clear!!





1 comment:

  1. i have problem with old paperwork too, I've got 6 moving boxes worth down tow 1 now.

    I found freecycle great for giving away usable and fixable items

    ReplyDelete

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