Mood and Mind Vegetate as Clutter Accumulates

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“Clutter” is a variation of the word “clotter” (Old English, now obsolete) – which is also the origin of the current word clot, which can be used as a noun or verb:

–noun

1. a mass or lump.

2. a semisolid mass, as of coagulated blood.

3. a small compact group of individuals

4. British Informal. blockhead, dolt, clod.

–verb (used without object)

5. to form into clots; coagulate.

–verb (used with object)

6. to cause to clot.

7. to cover with clots.

8. to cause to become blocked or obscured.

One definition of “clutter” that surely makes sense is: a state or condition of confusion.

Our mood and mind vegetate as the clutter accumulates!

It’s the confusion. Our energy is sapped because the coagulated mass of clutter is blocking our ability to move and grow.

Negative effects of clutter include (but are not limited to): lack of focus and clarity; feelings of being professionally, creatively, spiritually, and/or romantically stuck; insufficient time and attention for self and family; increased stress, irritability and depression.

My mom recently had to have the arteries in her leg re-routed and cleared because of blockages. The blood clots started small (as do the areas of clutter) – but after years of not being noticed the problem became painful and had to be addressed! I think that’s where some of us are in our lives with the clutter: to the painful point…

One of the principles on fastfengshui.com is to Clean up your clutter. It says that: “Dirt and clutter are like glue that stops chi in its tracks and keeps it from nourishing your home.”

Your chi is what Chinese philosophy teaches is the “circulating life energy”. Well, I don’t know about all that Chinese philosophy stuff – but I *do* know that clutter sucks the energy right out of you. They’re right about dirt and clutter being like glue. It gums up the works!!

I’m enjoying these articles by Stephanie Roberts on the fastfengshui website:

Conquering the Clutter "Yeah, Buts"

When 'Just Do It' Isn't Enough: Coping with the Emotional Aspects of Clutter Clearing
Clutter is Natural
What Clutter Clearing Can Do For You
Clutter's Side Effects: How the State of Your Home Affects Your Life
Clutter Clearing and Your Authentic Self

…and if you’re interested, here are links to the Fast Feng Shui Principles
Principle 1: Know What You Want
Principle 2: Locate Your Power Spots
Principle 3: Create a Path for Chi
Principle 4: Repaint, Repair, Renew
Principle 5: Clean Up Your Clutter
Principle 6: Neutralize Negative Influences
Principle 7: Activate Your Power Spots
Principle 8: Work on Yourself as Well as Your Home
Principle 9: Evaluate Your Results

How is Clutter Affecting Your Life?

Last meeting we watched the TLC special, “Help! I’m a Hoarder”.

A couple of things that struck me:
1) The brains of “hoarders/clutterers” works different from non-clutterers.
2) We’re not the only ones.
3) There is help for clutterers - but our brains have to be basically “re-trained” to think differently.
4) It could be worse.

Melodie update: She *was* evicted and has been homeless. She has a storage unit and sleeps there sometimes.

There’s more about Melodie here:
http://www.transom.org/shows/2006/200606_after_the_dumpster/

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For next meeting the homework for this time is to think about ways that clutter affects your life.

Check out this article for some ideas:
http://blog.neatandsimple.com/blog/2006/05/clearing_clutte_1.html

…and be prepared to talk about a way that clutter is significantly affecting your life. We will discuss possible ways to work on those areas – or at least provide support for you in your hour of need.

:-)

Hoarding Research - Volunteers Needed

There was a post on a group discussion board on FaceBook. They’re asking for volunteers – and it looks relatively harmless, if you’re interested:
(Note: You do not have to be a Hoarder/Clutterer to participate.)

I took the survey, and it wasn’t painful. It took about 5 minutes, and they didn’t ask for *any* personal information.

This questionnaire is for a Sheffield University (U.K.) research study, looking at beliefs about relationships and hoarding behaviors.

If you want to contribute to this study, the survey is at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=MaXONc_2fHVL2np9lDv2JC5A_3d_3d

…and their website is here:
http://www.compulsivehoarding.net/

Make your contribution to society today!
(if you want to)

=============================================================================

Hello,

I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Sheffield University, UK. My colleagues and I are interested in compulsive hoarding and are looking for volunteers to take part in an on-line questionnaire about relationships and hoarding behaviours. The questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. We are looking for volunteers both with and without hoarding behaviours.

Our website www.compulsivehoarding.net contains some information on our research project and a link to the online questionnaire in addition to some links to sources of support and information for people affected by hoarding.

This research has received ethical approval from the departmental research ethics committee and has university sponsorship / governance in place.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of our research or would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact me on research@compulsivehoarding.net


Your help will be really appreciated!

Yours sincerely

Emma Bodfield
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
The University of Sheffield, UK.

De-Cluttering Tips - from Last Meeting

Notes from last meeting (10/4):

Our homework assignment from the previous meeting was to bring a tip for de-cluttering or organizing. Here were our ideas:

Tips:

. Turn hangers backwards in closet for clothes you haven’t worn in past 6 months. In 6 months, if you wear those closes, turn hanger back around, if in 6 months the hanger is still backwards – this discard or giveaway clothing.

. Throw something away in each weekly trash pickup.

. Have a garage sale and do not bring anything back into the house. Leave on the curb and call Goodwill or just let scavengers have it.

. Create work/activity “stations” with the items used in that activity located close to where you perform the activity.

. Handle incoming mail (and other papers) only once. These are the options for decisions/actions that must be done:

- Keep (file/store for future reference – or scan/take photo to file and throw away original)

- Act on (bills to pay or other follow-up needed)

- Throw it away (or shred and throw away)

Accomplishments:

. I finally put-up the spaghetti dishes up, that my mom got me for Christmas

. I have a lot of stuff in bags, so I am cleaning out at least one bag to make the weekly trash schedule

. I had a garage sale – and did not bring anything that did not sell back into the house

. I am sorting my tools and creating a tool “center” that will be located close to where they are used. For me, I use them in multiple places (van to customer site, van to shop, storage shed and in the house) so will be locating the center near the side door for easy access to all of these places.

. I am (well mostly my husband is) keeping my counters relatively clear in the kitchen – and am trying to do the one-touch for paper items thing.

New Additions to Personal Goals:

. Look on Ebay to see the value of Grandmother’s crystal (for possible sale)

. Need to create a bill-paying “center” at home

Next Meeting Assignment:

. get rid of duplicates of clothing items – like if you have three blue shirts that are extremely similar, get rid of two of them. You get the idea. If you don’t have duplicates, get rid of some other un-needed clothing item(s). (baby steps)

…also, we will be viewing the “Help! I’m a Hoarder” video at next meeting. If you can’t make it to the meeting, the video is available (in pieces) on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22Help!+I%27m+a+hoarder%22&search_type=

Afterwards, we will discuss.

Help! I'm a Hoarder - Repeat Showing Sunday, 10/5

The documentary, "Help! I'm a Hoarder" is being re-broadcast on TLC at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM Central DST on Sunday, 10/5. (That's 8 and 11 Eastern.)
Description:
Three individuals face the damaging effects of compulsive hoarding.

I'm Tivo-ing it - so we can watch it for discussion at our next meeting.