The subject of Hoarding.

"Hoarding, hoarding, hoarding; at some point in our lives, we've done it or will do it. But what does the word mean? It means to 'accumulate more than you need. Being afraid that you don't have enough. Not wanting to be alone, without having things around. (1). I am not a psychiatrist or claim to be one ( although I studied psychology ) but most of us understand people suffering hardly from 'Hoarding". At some point in our lives, we all been there. We have the feeling of needing more, and not wanting to not having enough. That's not a bad thing at all but life should be balanced. How many shoes, bags, news paper, clothes, pets, food, money and other items that you think you need? Do you need more and more? When you go out in town, do you have the urge to buy things even if you think you may not need them or that you already have the same item at home? Shopping sprees are GREAT! I take pleasure in shopping. Doesn't it feel so good..................... when you buy only things that you need? Yes, this one is hard. Everyone around us doing the same thing, so it's hard to balance that. But, that's where 'being organized' with your wallet comes to play. Don't give in to the idea that you need more and more. Where are you going to put it all? How often can you where those shoes or clothes? Be realistic. You may love your things, but they will never love you back. Do you have things stored in the Attic, Garage, Basement or Storage space? Should you? If you haven't use these things for more than six months to a year, than you didn't really need them. Some things have exceptions of course. But your kids are off the college, or all grown up. You don't need the cradle, or twin bed, or their clothes, etc. 'Use your smarts'. Purge, purge, purge; now don't that feel better?! ' POSSESS THINGS, DON'T LET YOUR THINGS POSSESS YOU!'. When it's time to move, you'll thank your self that you didn't have so much. Do you have a lot of food? Afraid to go hungry? Food goes bad, remember that. You can always buy food later on, even if you think differently. How about sharing the food that you have with others; with the homeless, a stranger, friend or family. Have dinner parties, etc. Think you have so much mouth and belly to hold all these food in. Think of people who don't have as much as you. Do you hoard or save a lot of money, when you're in debt? Or having FEAR of spending the money that you have? That's a no no! Why having more money at the banks than you have in debt? You should't be in debt if you have money in the first place. Get rid of your debt. Have balance. (3) Take good care of yourself with the money that you have. Money can be a life saver, yes , but there's no need not to enjoy it before you die. Then, all that money you were saving and not enjoying will go to someone else, who will enjoy it and may even not appreciate it. Do you like to accumulate trash ( 'a man's trash is an other man's treasure' ) and bring them home, because you're afraid that they will do in the land fill? The only way things don't get in the land fill is if everyone recycles, reduce, reuse and STOP buying more than they need. Not by hoarding things in your home. Your home shouldn't have more than the regular items that it needs. Example, no more than a set of dinning room tables, beds, couches, chairs, kitchen utensils, etc. You use your imagination. Saying that "I may one day need it" is very dangerous. Yes, you may need it one day, but when is that day? Or do you have more than the whole neighborhood? I bring things to my house from the curb, but I replace them with something else. One trash in, one or two trash out. Keeping the balance. If you don't pay attention to stuff that goes in and out, before you know it, you are hoarding. Your home will feel and look like a store. Do you really want that? (4) Are you a good Samaritan, who loves to save animals, by bringing them home? Being a good Samaritan person is awesome, but you can still be a good Samaritan by having the pet controlled. Have people over who can take care of those pets for you. You can have a friend take care of some. Give some to strangers, etc. Do you really think you can take care of more than 3 animals? Be realistic. Some people with many pets, lose count and some of their pets end up dying, getting sick and fighting with each other. Is that what your idea of saving the animal is? The animals may be before off on their own or with someone else. Animals belong in the wild in the first place, so you can count on them to know that they can take care of themselves. No need to hoard them and have them suffer thinking that you're doing good. Your intention may be good for sure but share the load with someone else. Don't hoard animals. Are you afraid to lose those precious memories by keeping them? Memories are in your head. Not in an item. People who are afraid to lose memories keep items of a person or things that reminded them something. Memories are in your head or heart. Not in items. It may be easier for you to cherish memories as they were giving to you; in a moment. You cherish that moment that you had, and that moment obviously is still with you, so there's no need to keep items around that you associate those moments with. Memories will always be with you and that person or animal will always be loved in your heart. ETC..... If you answer yes, to all those questions then that's where the danger or hoarding starts. Have someone who cares help you, minimize your buying or space. Organizing Made Simple does the job for you. As I watch the TV show (2) "Hoarders", I learn and understand people more and more what they are going through. People in that deep end of hoarding, need help. Not merely from a psychologist, no; but from friends, family and even strangers. They need your support, love, understanding, compassion and not to forget, help them find help. Through psych help and getting an Organizer to get the job done with or for them. You may think that you're not a hoarder and not all of us are, but we may get there in life if we don't keep our 'things' in check. Have a real friend or Professional Organizer come over and give you an honest opinion. Than you may know for real if you're going that path or not. I started Organizing Made Simple to help people keep their home or office in check. I love the smiles and cry of joy on their face after a job done. It makes me better at what I do and make them feel good. So I go home feeling happy that I made someone feeling happy. If you are or know someone who's hoarding things, it's not too late to get help. Don't be embarrassed or feel bad. It will be okay. Help is always there. This article is protected and copy righted. Please be creative and write your own. If you would like to copy, please ask the creator first or make a reference to this page. Thank you. 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding 2 http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/index.jsp 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlN7fmjXPyU 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OePmQQ9pfGY&feature=related

Happy Mother's Day!

Give your mom or a mother the gift of Organizing. Contact me today and ask how. Herve Tennessee, Organizing Made Simple. derek_herve@yahoo.com

Earth day. Should I go 'Green'? well.....some green products don't work....

Earth day should be everyday. Should I go 'Green'? well.......... ( scratching head ) I know how you feel. But YES! you should go green. To some of you who don't know this "green" term yet, being "green" is being aware of your foot print. Leaving around your 'foot print' is not usually a good thing. It generally means that one leaves trash on the streets or in the park/forest, hoarders, use chemical products, not recycling product such as bottles, plastic, foil, water, etc. consumes more than one needs, or not begin aware or pay much attention to how your actions will impact the earth. ( http://www.goinggreenhints.com/going-green-definition/ ). Don't get me wrong. I am not a tree hugger or a green cookie, but even if I were, it's not like it's a bad thing to be aware of how I impact my environment. This "green" subject divides people. I know, I know... I am not here to convince you or make you do something that you may not be into. I am just here to converse and ask your opinion. After all, we all are different beings and has the right to do what we please. I am not into 'global warming' either but I feel that if "we" as a people, keep on the direction of "green", the earth will remain a better, cleaning, nicer place to look at. For example. Ask yourself, do I like siting in a dirty park? Do I like a littered neighborhood? Would I like to live next to a land fill? Would I like to see things floating in the water that I use? etc. You know what I am asking. You get it. Now that going or being green is the fab, there are no more excuses for anyone to say, 'I don't know how or where to recycle?' You can search online or go to your Town Hall to learn more about how you can contribute into recycling in your neighborhood. With todays technology, you can recycle almost about anything. Even if something is not recyclable, you can have someone else use it. Things like clothing, furniture, etc. Go to a second hand shop to donate your stuff or get money for it there or by selling them. Reusable items should NEVER go to waste. Most everything can be reused. Just use your imagination. Look at some 'third world' country. People there are so environmental. Let's copy them shall we. REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE. Why now!?! why not when I was growing up. But it's never too late. Other ways to be green is by using earth friendly products, for food, household items, cleaning products, cosmetics, transportation, etc. CLEANING PRODUCTS. I know a lot of "green cleaning products" out there don't work but some do. Do your home work and experience the benefit of using green products. They are better for your health when using them so often and better for the earth. You have the choice to wash your clothing in dirty chemicals or clean natural. Using non-natural or chemical products, put things on our bodies and we wash our food in it. Or you can make your own cleaning products. It's easy. FOOD. You can use all natural or organic food. Does the word "cancer" ring any bell? All the chemical people keep putting in their bodies for years amount to the cause of illness and deaths. We are doing this to ourselves. No one else is to blame. We now know and have other alternative, so let's use them. I am personally Vegan and Organic. I am not "a freak" about it or impose things down people's throats. I let people know about what I know. Anyone can be organic. It's not that much pricey then you want to believe. In fact, if the population eat or used more natural to organic products, they wouldn't seem pricier. We have the power to change price. We are the consumer. Chemical products cost relatively the same or even more, it's depends where you buy your food. The cost of chemical food is even greater after cancer. Make your pet's food. Buy organic or natural food for them. Too often people has to put their 'pets to sleep'. Well, have they ever conceder what their pets are eating? Make your own cat litter or buy natural ones. Same with COSMETICS. Buy all natural to organic products. You are putting these things in and on your body. So not clean. People wonder where cancer comes from and why are they so sick. Well............ TRANSPORTATION. Now everyone is divided on that subject. I am not going to touch it too much. : ) 'Time is money and money makes the world turn.' Cars get us there quick. I personally don't drive or own a car. I am not against cars or other pollutee items such as air planes but there are some ways to be greener when using these things. Walk to your destination as much as possible, use public transportation, carpool with your friends, family, or neighbor. I know not everyone can afford those new hybrid but be creative. Remember when you last were a pedestrian? how it was so uncool to smell all that nasty air out there? Well............... HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. The tote bag is the plastic bag's cousin. The tote bag can be useful and green only when you use it. Hoarding tote bags is not being green. Having two or three is enough. Leave one in your car, one in your home and one with you. Why wasting money on totes and "saving the world from plastics" when you're not even using the tote. How about, stop buying the totes in the first place. They are a scam put on by whomever.... Getting a FREE tote bag or reusing that plastic bag is just fine. When you get enough plastic bag, recycle them to your nearest grocery store or liquor store. You can definitely 'design on a dime'. Get your furniture from someone you know, free cycle or Craigslist, thrift shops, even on the side of the road. You can have a fabulous place with things that you didn't have to spend a dime on. This idea depends on someone's taste. Some people are not into second hand stuff. So then, be organize with your money. Buy cheap, on sale, negotiate your price. Have a 'clothing swap party'. Invite people to come and exchange clothing or items. Sale and buy from yard sales. Donate to others or non-profits. Recycle books or donate to libraries, shops or to a friend. Give to the needy. We all may get there one day, so let's think about the less fortunate. In truth, we can all contribute into a clean environment or dump the place. You choose. This article is protected and copy righted. Please be creative and write your own. If you would like to copy, please ask the creator first or make a reference to this page. Thank you. 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green 2 http://www.thegreenguide.com/ 3 http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php