Ha ha, Pat, I do, too. From the list below, the things in bold I have a hard time throwing out, BUT, I have just got rid of some old IT-lerning books. I do need to give some cook-books away, though.

Listed below are possible symptoms hoarders may experience:


  • They hold onto a large number of items that most people would consider useless or worthless, such as:
    • Junk mail, old catalogs, magazines, and newspapers
    • Worn out cooking equipment
    • Things that might be useful for making crafts
    • Clothes that might be worn one day
    • Broken things or trash
    • "Freebies" or other promotional products

  • Their home is cluttered to the point where many parts are inaccessible and can no longer be used for intended purposes. For example:
    • Beds that cannot be slept in
    • Kitchens that cannot be used for food preparation
    • Tables, chairs, or sofas that cannot be used for dining or sitting
    • Unsanitary bathrooms
    • Tubs, showers, and sinks filled with items and can no longer be used for washing or bathing.

  • Their clutter and mess is at a point where it can cause illness, distress, and impairment. As a result, they:
    • Do not allow visitors in, such as family and friends, or repair and maintenance professionals, because the clutter embarrasses them
    • Are reluctant or unable to return borrowed items
    • Keep the shades drawn so that no one can look inside
    • Get into a lot of arguments with family members regarding the clutter
    • Are at risk of fire, falling, infestation, or eviction[15]
    • Often feel depressed or anxious due to the clutter[16]


I think the trick is to sort one kind of items at a time, and then put it in three piles... one to chuck out, one to give away, and one to keep. Then, get the shelves/drawers you need to put it in. I need certain sizes of drawers for smaller things - it would be nice to have one like the below- When it comes to papers, I'm quite organised, I have everything in binders, with labels on each.