Have you thought about framing the T-Shirts? They sound great and could look nice on your walls in a display
Or a t shirt quilt! They look awesome, and then you can use your t shirts for something and have them out on display rather than shoved in a box where you can't appreciate them.
To be honest, the family have almost given up asking her as even the most gentle of questions resulted in mum getting very defensive and accusations of being "got at". Or there would be promises of something being done, but with very few results.
However, I think it's because there might be something "important" in them that she might want to keep. It's also possible that she doesn't read the paper/magazine quickly enough, so it can't be got rid of as "I'm still reading that".
My mum is a big theatre/musicals fan and follows the careers of several actors. She gets the trade newspaper each week and I think she's concerned about getting rid of the paper just in case there is a review/article about one of them.
Then she has an emotional connection to them. She won't/can't get rid of them as it'll upset her too much to do so and would prefer to live the way she does instead. I don't think there is much you can do but maybe you could persuade her to have them in some kind of order storage wise? That way it just may make things look tidier and whilst she's doing that she just may consider throwing some out.
Okayyyy, having been inspired by this thread I decided on a bit of decluttering. Just to show the extent of the problem this is just one box full of unopened/unused accessories at the bottom of my wardrobe. I've decided to donate them to a friend who is having a fundraiser and I am wrapping them up so she can use them as a lucky dip, see! I think I will also have a yard sale. Quite excited about it now!
You will feel totally liberated once you have a good clear out.
Clothes go out of fashion (or are you waiting for them to go vintage?) and it is silly to hold onto something just to keep 'for best'.
I cannot bear to see hundreds of dvds on shelves and I keep a minimum of books. I will buy books from charity shops and also pass them back. Most of my books I get from the library, most books are only read once and its silly to store lots of hard back books.
Imagine the smell of musty old clothes and books thats enough incentive to have a clear out.
You will feel totally liberated once you have a good clear out.
Clothes go out of fashion (or are you waiting for them to go vintage?) and it is silly to hold onto something just to keep 'for best'.
I cannot bear to see hundreds of dvds on shelves and I keep a minimum of books. I will buy books from charity shops and also pass them back. Most of my books I get from the library, most books are only read once and its silly to store lots of hard back books.
Imagine the smell of musty old clothes and books thats enough incentive to have a clear out.
Me and my hubby have about 4000 books and we both find it terribly difficult to part with them. I don't know, a book seems part of me once I have read it. I have a friend like you, he reads a book then gives it away, the thought horrifies me!
Me and my hubby have about 4000 books and we both find it terribly difficult to part with them. I don't know, a book seems part of me once I have read it. I have a friend like you, he reads a book then gives it away, the thought horrifies me!
I used to keep every book I read, even those I hated or ones that made me cry, but now I do give books away, but keep the ones I really enjoyed/treasured.
If you've got a garage or a shed or something take the whole lot out there. If you haven't looked for anything within six months you don't need it - then chuck the whole lot. Simples!
This is kind of what I do, the difference is I give it four months and I put the contents in boxes or bin bags and throw them away without looking in them.
To be honest, the family have almost given up asking her as even the most gentle of questions resulted in mum getting very defensive and accusations of being "got at". Or there would be promises of something being done, but with very few results.
However, I think it's because there might be something "important" in them that she might want to keep. It's also possible that she doesn't read the paper/magazine quickly enough, so it can't be got rid of as "I'm still reading that".
My mum is a big theatre/musicals fan and follows the careers of several actors. She gets the trade newspaper each week and I think she's concerned about getting rid of the paper just in case there is a review/article about one of them.
I think I would gently suggest that seeing as the papers and magazines are so valuable to her then it would be a good idea to store them in filing cabinets. Also pointing out how much easier it will be to find articles when she needs to. A row of filing cabinets could hold loads and free up space.
Does anyone have any tips on helping someone else de-clutter?
My mum has been a hoarder all her life. Her and my dad live in a 4-bed, 2 reception room house, but they can only use their own bedrooms (they sleep separately) and one room downstairs as the rest is full of clutter.
It's mainly what other people would call rubbish - old newspapers and magazines literally going back decades; there is a letter pinned to the notice board in the kitchen dating back to the early 1990's about a council tree planting scheme; a plastic mixing bowl with a hole worn through the bottom.
Past attempts to de-clutter for my mum has resulted in terrible arguments and possibly her becoming ill - she suffers from asthma and I'm sure the stress of her seeing other people sort through things doesn't help her breathing.
I thought the arrival of grandchildren would help, but apart from one or two "emergency" clear ups - i.e. moving things from the living room into one of the clutter rooms, nothing has changed. I've got a new baby and would love to stay, but it just isn't realistic.
I think, to be honest, the only things that will help your Mum are therapy or a specialist.
Many of us hoard to varying degrees, but when it comes to the point that your Mum has in terms of quantity, and - more importantly - in her defensiveness and it actually making her ill to deal with it, is is a sign that it goes much deeper than keeping hold of a few items.
Comments
Or a t shirt quilt! They look awesome, and then you can use your t shirts for something and have them out on display rather than shoved in a box where you can't appreciate them.
Then she has an emotional connection to them. She won't/can't get rid of them as it'll upset her too much to do so and would prefer to live the way she does instead. I don't think there is much you can do but maybe you could persuade her to have them in some kind of order storage wise? That way it just may make things look tidier and whilst she's doing that she just may consider throwing some out.
Clothes go out of fashion (or are you waiting for them to go vintage?) and it is silly to hold onto something just to keep 'for best'.
I cannot bear to see hundreds of dvds on shelves and I keep a minimum of books. I will buy books from charity shops and also pass them back. Most of my books I get from the library, most books are only read once and its silly to store lots of hard back books.
Imagine the smell of musty old clothes and books thats enough incentive to have a clear out.
Me and my hubby have about 4000 books and we both find it terribly difficult to part with them. I don't know, a book seems part of me once I have read it. I have a friend like you, he reads a book then gives it away, the thought horrifies me!
I used to keep every book I read, even those I hated or ones that made me cry, but now I do give books away, but keep the ones I really enjoyed/treasured.
This is kind of what I do, the difference is I give it four months and I put the contents in boxes or bin bags and throw them away without looking in them.
I think I would gently suggest that seeing as the papers and magazines are so valuable to her then it would be a good idea to store them in filing cabinets. Also pointing out how much easier it will be to find articles when she needs to. A row of filing cabinets could hold loads and free up space.
your doing really well Ruby keep going *thumbs up smillie*
good luck OP hope you clear away all the clutter and make a few bob as well
I think, to be honest, the only things that will help your Mum are therapy or a specialist.
Many of us hoard to varying degrees, but when it comes to the point that your Mum has in terms of quantity, and - more importantly - in her defensiveness and it actually making her ill to deal with it, is is a sign that it goes much deeper than keeping hold of a few items.
It's a recognised condition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding). Perhaps you could show your mum some articles on and see if you can get her along to see her GP about it.