How Did I Get TOO Much Stuff?

Do I have a hoarding disorder? I have closets crammed full of stuff. Stacks of 5 or 6 boxes. Every surface piled with more stuff!
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Website rickhasadhd.com/
Moving to a much smaller house has created a crisis of clutter for us. Not just personal stuff. Hundreds of video tapes and scripts from television series. Paperwork. Memorabilia We're living in a rummage sale!
Before sorting through a box to decide what to keep, I have to clear a flat surface. But where do I put that stuff? Then I need find a place for the 'keepers.'
It's been confronting. Emotional. And difficult. And I'm starting to wonder do I have a Hoarding Disorder?!
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - amzn.to/3sd7t3d (Amazon)
Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on The Art of Organizing and Tidying Up - amzn.to/3haGgrw
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo - amzn.to/3BMBBWo
This video is for entertainment purposes only. Copyright Big Brain Productions 2024. All Rights Reserved.

[@comrade-jellyfish-pizza]

A follow up question I've started asking myself when I encounter the "But I might need it someday!!" reaction is "How hard would this be to replace? If I do need this specific thing down the road, is it something that would be easy and affordable to go out and buy or borrow?" and that's been helpful for me, especially coming from a scarcity mindset. If I can convince myself it is easily replaceable, it's easier to get rid of.

[@LedgerAndLace]

I think a lot of people can relate! You may appreciate Dana K. White's method. What you've described in downsizing, is her "Container Concept." Your home is a container, and it can only fit so much. If you want to create more space quickly, get rid of bigger stuff like furniture pieces. Also, you have a "Project Mind," which means that you can ALWAYS come up with ideas for stuff. She demonstrates her method on her YT channel, and has a weekly podcast. She's not officially ADHD diagnosed--altho, she's been UNofficially diagnosed by people with ADHD! Her method helps make things look better (none of the "it always looks worse before it looks better") WHETHER YOU SPEND 5 MINUTES OR 50. No decision-fatigue questions and you starts with the easy stuff. By the time you get to anything sentimental, you've gained momentum and it so much easier. There's my testimonial for her! I'm in no way affiliated, she's just helped me start to get control of my stuff! 🙂

[@Sugar3Glider]

Door Hardware... Honestly, categorizing things like that is superb... If you just go one step further... Start an Art Trade! There's a bunch of people that like to build stuff from silly things artistically. Imagine a reddit where you request boxes of bits and bobs, and give away your bits and bobs to those who want to make stuff... And then sharing said results

[@WayToVibe]

"Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without." This Depression-era saying is one of the many reasons that older generations - and the kids they raised - keep stuff they don't need. Then, seeing their moms and grandmas keeping useless stuff becomes a family curse passed along from generation to generation. I'm glad minimalism, and its offshoots, are ideas that are spreading across social media and creating positive change in our current generation. As the saying goes, "If your house is hard to clean then you own too much stuff!"

[@lactobacillusprime]

When we moved in 2009 - the movie company was flabbergasted that we needed more moving boxes than their estimate and actually needed a second small moving truck to haul our stuff to the new place. That already was a sign. Collecting and nostalgia played a huge part in me accumulating a ton of stuff - in March 2020 with the Pandemic hitting I got up and got rid of a huge part of my collection (mostly surplus) and kept a smaller subset of things that really meant something to me. Marie Kondo was a life saver for me; her simple approach of going with your gut feeling and the moment things get occluded by thinking it was "that's going out unless..". Saving things for a rainy day is over with. Decluttering proved to be a good thing for my mental health as well. Does it spark joy? That question is actually surprisingly easy to answer :)

[@amandachapman4708]

I'm decluttering this year and so your video is quite timely! As well as the "does this spark joy?" I am doing the "if I need this some time in the future, can I easily get another one?" thing for those "just in case" items. And "will anyone care about this after I pass away?" for some of the things I have kept , well, "just because."

[@markkomis6160]

I remember an old Red Green episode where the speaker was showing some strange item his wife wanted him to throw out and he was basically saying "What is this? I don't know but after I throw it away I'll find I actually needed it and now I'll have to go buy another, which will cost more than this one did and not be as well made". However I do agree with what you've said Rick, and if I can add another stumbling block sidebar to it I've experienced, I see that I need to get rid of stuff but it seems too valuable to just give away (I have collected a TON of railroad memorabilia) and I think "I need to try to sell this on eBay or something!" ...and of course I will get around to that too someday. :-P

[@pulcherius]

I actually tossed furniture to save space for stuff, in my storage unit. I had to get one to put my stuff in as I was evicted from the house I rented. I even still had to leave a few things behind. It was painful and unpleasant but did make me more aware of keeping a lid on my "collections". 3 garbage bags of polystyrene chunks for model making is possibly enough.

[@ourllamacalmerfarminfrance239]

As an ADD llama farmer I definitely keep hold of stuff. Farmers don’t like spending money….oh no! There will always be a use for that. Only thing is ‘ that ‘ is right at the back of the barn with all of the other useful stuff in front of it

[@janetmcbee]

So here I am, ADD,, with an empathic soul. 🤔 You Always make me feel less alone. I thank you sooooo, much. 😘💜😀

[@Sugar3Glider]

I once spent $50 on a 2x4 someone made like 5 cuts in and then sanded and stained... It's still one of those "oooo" items of mine... I love them because they're shaped by the stones in 5th Element. I find physical objects store memories easier than my memory does sometimes.

[@anneliebenthal210]

Oh, Rick, you’re just such a superhero through your work! Really needed this today. God bless.

[@AKy157]

We have two rooms in the house that were supposed to be temporary storage but after 3 years of living here are now proper storage facilities. The sad thing is, it's not us hoarding, it's my inability to throw things away in a sense that I need to separate them, and find a day, put everything in the car, during working hours (how can I manage to get there during working hours?) drive to the recycling centre, and be escorted to proper disposal tanks. Sometimes I can't even manage to load the dishwasher because it seems that in order for me to do that I need to clean the whole kitchen, so driving to the recycling centre just ends up postponed.

[@anneliebenthal210]

Great chuckle looking at the Apple hovering over your left shoulder with your floppies in your hand.😄

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

I always thought staple removers looked like dragons.

[@glenngriffon8032]

I stumbled upon this mindset on my own trying to help my father stop collecting junk and prevent myself from hoarding. I have a simple question i ask myself of everything I see: Have I looked at this with fondness and/or appreciation in the past five/four/three/two/year(s)? If the answer is yes I keep it and slowly whittle down all my junk till I have just those things that i I take time to look at fondly and appreciate frequently. Those things of mine that give me the warm feelings inside (or spark joy) and give me a reason, even if it's a goofy one, to get out of bed and face the day.

[@barbaras.5545]

I can totally identify. My cat died earlier this year and it was so difficult to part with her things, so I only kept the things that brought me joy.

[@sarahuhlich6833]

My family also moved this year, so oh boy do I feel this. Apparently I had not really looked at a lot of my stuff in a while and I’ve found myself on multiple occasions having to stop myself from going down the angry “why did you do that, dummy” mental spiral for keeping some really useless nonsense. I’m thirty one, I don’t need my Valentines cards from elementary school…🤦🏼‍♀️ And I’ve found six nail clippers (for three people) so far…

[@dianedelina7343]

I just moved for the 39th time and I don’t have a fixed address and won’t for a yr or two. Each time, I let go of more. Now everything I own fits in my car. A few bins I have to keep, are in my friend’s garage. Congratulations on your purge/freedom.

[@Jen_RS]

Have a box full of old computer diskettes... For an art project. Future art project.... Someday.. Lol Great vid. Definitely felt called out by that one. But inspired! Thanks!

[@sandrinowitschM]

Me: *finally throws that thing away* Me shortly after: dammit I need the thing

[@nobody8328]

I don't need less stuff, I just need more shelves! 😆

[@howcanikeepfromsinging]

I find thinking about who could be using something that I have just sitting there is a good way to help evaluate whether I need it, or could let it go. That thing I use once a year? I can let it go and borrow a drill next time. Also thinking about gaining space rather than parting with things. "Today I want to gain a metre of space. How can I make that happen?" This is all made a bit trickier with ADHD because partway through it becomes boring, or we find stuff and get distracted. I find putting on a cd or record, and working until the music stops is a good length of time. If I'm really into it, I can do that again.

[@janetmcbee]

Thank you😘😘😘

[@rebeccavansant1896]

Since Covid-19 started two years ago I have been saving things and plus being in the same house for 30 years but I was trying before but now 😩.

[@claresteen4708]

Thank you so much for this. I had thought of using the Marie Kondo method but it just looked like it resulted in getting rid of so much *stuff* it was scary.

[@mindyskidder]

Oh, goodness, can I relate to this topic ... I'm a lot better about not keeping things that I don't use, but I have - regressed or slipped back into old habits recently. There is a fine line between being incredibly disorganized and having a hoarding disorder.

[@spoddie]

I'd think that most people with ADHD don't suffer from hoarding disorder. Hoarding disorder is people that a attached to often weird things. I'd think that for us with ADHD it's more an issue of lack of organization and distraction with a big helping of overwhelm.

[@markkomis6160]

I have to agree spoddie, my ADHD doesn't compel me to hoard but distractions and lack of organization has me ending up collecting tons of things I intend to fix, make or use that I forget about as I move on to the next shiny thing I see. Eventually it does pile up.

[@RD-vo5vq]

My Mom grew up during the Great Depression and she saved everything! Now as an adult I’m doing the same thing. I’m currently not working and I always think, What if I need that? My goal is to not leave a bunch of junk for my daughter to have to deal with when I eventually pass. I’ve slowly started decluttering but I get stuck on certain things and then I stop.

[@melanienygaard273]

So another question or perspective that recently really impacted me and spoke to me is the silent to do list that I recently watched on the minimal mom KZbin channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKXTcpWaq5mXb5o. The impactful thought being that every single thing in your home is sending you a message. What is that message? Is it a positive message? Or is it a negative message? Is every cluttered thing in your home telling you, “You are a failure because you have not cleaned me, or picked me up, or put me away”? I think I have realized that my chronic feeling of overwhelm is due to the fact that so many things in my house are screaming negative messages at me day in and day out.

[@dayc801]

Omg. I have a box of old door hardware in the garage..... OK I have 2. And I'm not an artist

[@catherineconnolly5930]

Well, since you are on KZbin it somehow seems far to mention another program that has helped my thinking about stuff. Called the Minimalist Mom. Has changed my attitude and amount of inventory that I own. Far easier. Have gone from a full pole bldg, and a 4 car garage, 3 br, 2 bath, to. 2 br, 1 bath, no garage at all, but a tiny plastic garden shed. Lots easier!!

[@kathyoverton998]

I can really relate! Sadly, my brother fully a hoarder. Like one of those hoarding reality shows that is extra bad. And I come near having an anxiety attack any time I try to work on the house. But on a positive note, lots of charities are going to have a lot of donations!

[@AmberGarrett-py6ry]

When I inherited my parent's stuff, total disaster. No room anywhere.

[@alfadog67]

I have recently embraced this technique with all the billions of photos I have taken over the years. It's SO difficult, but it occurs to me that I wasted time taking the photos instead of being mindful.

[@MeloraCarabas]

Aw sssssh...we had the exact same sound effects boxes. They were perfect except for the fact we could not find new batteries for them. W ethrew them in the electric trash...but hearing this...aw those boxes were just awesome except for that one flaw. My heart goes ouchie.

[@ericburow6436]

We're still decluttering. But, there was a different reason. Pam and I spent weeks getting a room ready for what turned out to be an adoption that fell through. Anyhow, the end result is a new mattress on an old bed frame, two movie posters on the walls, and more space to work with. I saw the Bill bobblehead, and I still can't find one for my dashboard.

[@cherylshort5005]

My best help? If not used in a year, got to go. Also if I love it? If not it must go!

[@trancemuter]

lol, same here….

[@9crutnacker985]

& throw in hefty dollop of PDA & Executive dysfunction (with some depression too maybe) & it becomes even harder to 'declutter'. My experience is it doesn't get easier to do & that book sounds like another 'just try harder' in disguise self 'helper'.

[@janettamaclean6317]

I am trying to clean out my house after only 12 years of living there...I have really been challenged to 'let go' of lots...

[@robot7759]

Because you're a successfully trained and we'll behaved consumer like most of us?

[@carolinelabbott2451]

I am hoarder. I am trying to declutter, by not buying more stuff. Stuff I don't need. It's hard work. Does not help that it feels like I am doing it solely on my own for an entire family, plus health issues getting in the way. It does not help that it is hard to let go off stuff, but when I do chuck stuff I do feel much better. Just 10 more years and hopefully I'll have a home I can live in that improves my health rather than destroy it. Clutter is depressing.

[@gweno9901]

Clutter can be overwhelming. I like Clutter Clarity youtube videos, (Laura Moore who says 'Putter through your clutter') Pat yourself on the back for doing even a little.

[@manyhats3846]

Yes, clutter is depressing! I am closer than before, in getting rid of extra! I am cheering you on! There are set backs, but don't give up! You might surprise your self and be done sooner than you think! Success spurs us on! I know what you mean by on your own! Health does get in the way! Tiny steps somedays, but some days can be a good success day! Go Caroline!!🚂 little train that could!

[@carolinelabbott2451]

@@manyhats3846 🤗 Thank you. I had my first physio appointment just last week, and finally been given some new exercises. It's already starting to make a difference to improving my mobility a tiny bit. I promise to not give up. My home will get there, tiny movements at a time. ❤ Thank you.

[@manyhats3846]

@@carolinelabbott2451 I am glad to hear! You are very welcome!!☺

[@Zonkotron]

Then why downsize your house. I have just accepted that i will need something like 2-3 sq meters a year to keep up with my hobbies and will probably have to own an old farm or industrial site at some point. Just life. Tools are awesome, doing shit is awesome. Tidying is NOT. If i got hourly rate for the time i spend tidying i could pay off that ranch just from that. 20 hours a week, easy. Also, minimalism is unethical because it is the epitome of the throw away society. All of it - fishy.