Decluttering your home space

[KT 💣 KλBoƠM]

Anyone who is a gamer knows that clutter becomes normal. But throw in health problems and it can become overwhelming as you have less energy or time to deal with it or do regular upkeep.

So I have been watching videos and reading advice and came across this. I thought, "You know, not much talk goes on in the SA forums, and we are all gamers who are getting older and may have less energy than we used to. Why not make a thread about what helps each of us tackle clutter around our home space and work space?"

So here it is. Got any suggestions or advice for me?

Was thinking about this as I was reading this:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/8-decluttering-tips-for-hoarders/ar-AA1d4V6N







and I DO actually have a video game drawer but it is mainly computer components such as wires and connectors and some PC CD's or DVD's and manuals and such. So this next video I also thought was pretty relevant. Who else has such a drawer? Mine is in one of those plastic 4 drawer things under my desk (you know the one Dave).

[Sandman[SA]]

I actually got a pretty big shelf to put the bulk of my clutter on.  I know I need to start getting rid of all the old stuff I know I will never use again.  I've just been too lazy to do anything about it.

[Kodiac]

I use the crate method. Everything has a box. I put it in said box. Declutterrd

[KT 💣 KλBoƠM]

I use the crate method. Everything has a box. I put it in said box. Declutterrd

Ya that is the basics of the typical method I have heard of. The "everything has a home. If it doesn't, discard it" system. I also have heard of the death cleaning system. It is where you think of what your family would be left with having to go through if you died and getting rid of things that are just added clutter there is no use for by anyone in your family or your friends.

[Kodiac]

Death method is stupid. Like people are allowed to enjoy things that other people would discard lmao. Like a garden dwarf collection for example. Or legos. Etc lmao

[Sandman[SA]]

My parents for example held onto just about everything.  My mom was a bit of a hoarder, and my dad just tried his best to keep it somewhat organized.  When they passed away, my sisters and I spent months throwing away most of the stuff they had.  I kind of wished they had planned a little on the "death method".

[Kodiac]

Yeah that's just dealing with hoarders period lmao

[KT 💣 KλBoƠM]

But how do people draw the line between clutter and hoarding?

[Kodiac]

I personally differientiate clutter from hoarding this way : If you have like 1 spot for everything or just have more stuff, that’s clutter. If you have stuff that you can’t use anymore (more than a room or a table) or some equipment that you can’t use anymore because there is stuff blocking it, of that doesn’t work and u didn’t replace it, that’s hoarding.

[Sandman[SA]]

Technically, clutter is just a bunch of personal belongings that are in a state of disorganization.  Where hoarding is taking clutter several stages higher and never throwing away anything or hang on to everything thinking that they will find a use for it someday.  But never do and can't allow themselves to part with anything.  Angie, you and I are both on that razers edge between the 2.

[KT 💣 KλBoƠM]

Technically, clutter is just a bunch of personal belongings that are in a state of disorganization.  Where hoarding is taking clutter several stages higher and never throwing away anything or hang on to everything thinking that they will find a use for it someday.  But never do and can't allow themselves to part with anything.  Angie, you and I are both on that razers edge between the 2.

Oh heck I don't mind throwing anything away. It is more of my health and energy keeping me from going through it all. I think when I was younger I would hold onto things but as I age I find I care less about it as I have less hope of my life being anything other than it is (no family, just me, nothing changing, living here forever). With nothing to hold onto things for I have no qualms about throwing things out at all. In fact I have been desiring it more and more in the last year or so.

I personally differientiate clutter from hoarding this way : If you have like 1 spot for everything or just have more stuff, that’s clutter. If you have stuff that you can’t use anymore (more than a room or a table) or some equipment that you can’t use anymore because there is stuff blocking it, of that doesn’t work and u didn’t replace it, that’s hoarding.

I think that is an excellent description. My dad was border line but when he moved into his gf's his own house just was used to hold onto stuff because it was not in his way at all. When he sold the house to my brother he was able to get rid of all that he could not take with him.

Sandman I think you could throw things out easily but it just is not important to you to get rid of the stuff that has been with your family for generations. It is just you and no push to change things and you have access to all rooms and all things so for you it is just clutter. For my health holds me from getting rid of things but the main thing I have too much of is clothing but only because my weight has been unstable and I can't just afford to toss out clothes and then buy them again when I am that size again. However I have learned to let go of some as I realize I will never be as skinny as I once was. I kinda gave up on that by now. However, coincidently once I threw the small sizes out, my mom got sick, lost lots of weight and the clothes I had that would have fit her are now gone. Go figure lol! It never happens when you have the stuff just laying around.