I wouldn't consider myself a hoarder. I like keeping things simple and tend to be quite ruthless about cleaning my stuff out from time to time. I like to keep things to the minimum possible, which goes for clothes, electronics, and that general clutter of pieces of paper, magazines, bills, letters and whatnot.

I think some Thais hoard though. My father in law always keep old bits of wood, broken chairs, pieces of wire, old cabinets, broken pots, floor mats, but this is because he always ends up using them for something.

I don't keep nothin. I even throw away the paper inserts from CD's
Because the extra paper is frustrating.

Fauxie said:

whew... a post! thanks, Fauxie - you're check's in the mail!

that's kinda what i meant about cultural differences - i think it's one thing to hoard stuff because of necessity, and quite another if it is for control reasons.

but the disorder is fascinating nonetheless...

IrresistibleB1tch said:

...
[Edited 10/7/06 19:55pm]

Fauxie said:

IrresistibleB1tch said:

So, are you a hoarder?

This is interesting. I think my mom's mom was a hoarder in her younger days. Mom has always commented how annoying it was to be picking after her mom. Gradma would throw worn clothes to the floor, stuff them in a box, etc.

So this is a genuine sickness like the shopaholics?

So this is a genuine sickness like the shopaholics?

july said:

really?

I hoard.

I don't like the past to go.

gyro34 said:

interesting. did your Mom talk about how it affected her? apparently, many hoarders go to great lengths to keep others from throwing things away, even just from moving them.

IrresistibleB1tch said:

Oh, yes. I like the cd but what's with the booklet.

2the9s said:

In fact, I have every orgnote ever sent to me on file (index cards).

Fauxie said:

by the way, i love your sig!

IrresistibleB1tch said:

Yes. Some things she has talked about openly like how grandma would gossip about her to other siblings for rearraging her stuff. One thing mom is not aware of is where does her mistrust of people comes from.

IrresistibleB1tch said:

Thanks. I'm glad someone likes it.


Ok, just clicked on the link and read some of 'Tracy's Story'. That's scary.
She didn't let her children in the house for 8 years and ended up dying in her home overwhelmed by all the stuff and filth from her pets??? Truly scary stuff.

gyro34 said:

i presume you're talking about your grandmother's distrust. that's an interesting point - does the hoarding compulsion lead to distrust, or is there an underlying distrust (among other things, i'd think) that manifests itself in setting people up like that.

IrresistibleB1tch said:

Grandma passed on to my mom. I think hoarding comes before the mistrust. Probably out of embarrassment.

gyro34 said:

yeah, that seems to be part of every story you read on that website. what a horrible situation, for the people suffering from the disorder as well as for their children and loved ones.

my heart goes out to your grandmother and mother!

IrresistibleB1tch said:

Thanks, and thank you for letting everyone know that there's a website where one can find information and support.

IrresistibleB1tch said:

Yes, I'm with you there.

Man. My best friend's mother is like this. The friend and I have been close for almost ten years and I'm around her family more than my own. After realizing there's a website dedicated for children of hoarding parents, I've realized that I could have been more sensitive about this. I've actually called her mother on this a few times in high school--naturally*, her mom's a bit loopy to begin with and to have a "conversation" with her means sifting through her constant mentions of soap opera actors (referred to by first name, no less) and other senseless oddities that make it impossible to communicate. Being in their house obviously bugged me and it made me sick that my best friend had to grow up in there. I saw/see it as a selfish act; not to mention embarrassing for the FOUR kids that had to wade through the GARBAGE and REFUSE to answer the door for their Homecoming dates and such.

Anyway, I've completely rambled. Unfortunately, I still resent that woman for depositing the garbage in my friend's head that I weirdly feel responsible of cleansing. Jesus, I'm more fucked up than these hoarders. Jaeger, please.




*insensitive again.
[Edited 10/7/06 20:44pm]

INSATIABLE said:

here ya go...

hey, i completely understand. we do talk about the hoarders amongst ourselves, too - mostly in practical terms, like where to find the dog treats in all the mess... and i've come to accept that some people live that way. but when children are involved, it's a whole other story.

i'm sorry to hear about your friend - that must have been rough.