Comments on: autumn’s story

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:16:04 +0000

I live with a hoarder, so I can sympathize with these stories. My housemate is not dirty or disorganized, thank goodness, but she still fills every corner and piles up to the ceiling. The house is stuffed with decades’ worth of sentimental this-and-that. It doesn’t bother her (she says); she loves all her things and works to arrange them artfully. She has the right to choose her own lifestyle, of course, and I’m glad she loves her home.

The effect on her children is sad, though. Her son doesn’t want to stay in the house because there’s no room to put his bags down. Her daughter dreads having to clean things up when her mom eventually dies or needs nursing home care (which is still years in the future, but it preys on the daughter’s mind now). And I, her friend and housemate, often find the lack of space in the house so oppressive that I escape to my own room and clean it out!

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:57:14 +0000

Autumn, first, I am sorry for the loss of your family members. Second, I had the same thing happen. My grandparents house was packed to the tip top eaves and under the foundation…not joking here. Many things were literally rotting in their respective spots and we found NOTHING of value to even donate. 4 huge dumpsters later, it was all gone. It was sad to see all the wasted clothing, food, decore, bath items, rusted tools…that now had no value because they were hoarded and not taken care of or used. Lesson learned. I came home and purged, purged, purged.

By: Willow

Willow — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:33:51 +0000

Autumn, I enjoyed reading your story. I, too, have cleaned out people’s homes and vowed I’d not leave that legacy to my children. I read Don Aslett’s books and also Messies Anoymous by Sandra Felton. It was great to read a story about someone who has been in the simple living/minimalism/decluttering mode for the long haul of many years. Thanks! And thanks to becomingminimalist for posting it.

By: TM

TM — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:27:50 +0000

She said==”It is funny, if you have a closet stuffed then clean it out, you can feel the difference. Even with the door shut, you can feel empty space, it is a good feeling.”

I agree 100%. I even sleep better when my bedroom is uncluttered.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:21:44 +0000

Autumn, thanks for sharing your story. My sympathy on the loss of your loved ones. My husband and I read (and laughed through) Don Aslett’s declutering books years ago. I have re-read them several times, always followed with a period of purging my home. With the loss of family/friends in the last few years, I also have “determined to never leave someone with the job of cleaning up my mess.” Encouraging to know there’s someone else who is like-minded. The feel of empty spaces? It’s awesome!