Yikes! I Just Watched Hoarders! (Part 2)

So, I think I struck a nerve.  I am not the only homeschool mom out there with hoarder tendencies.  As a matter of fact, if you read the comments from my last post, you'll see that I have come up with a new idea for a reality show called Homeschool Hoarders.  LOL  It does seem that we homeschoolers have a little more hoarder in us than the average mom.  Not all of us, of course, but how many homeschoolers do you know that don't seem to more books then they have space for?  Seems to be a pretty common problem.  Homeschooling means you not only have a home in your house, but a school too.  Then consider that there are many homeschool families out there that have bigger than average families, and, well, you have the makings of a perfect storm.

So, after thinking about I have added a few more reasons why I have to fight against hoarding.  Here is my now updated list.

• I'm frugal.
• I'm sentimental.
• I procrastinate.
• I'm disorganized.
• I'm a people pleaser and just WAY too nice.  (Here the kids snickering?)
•  I homeschool.
• I have ten people living in a small house.
• My house is dysfunctional.  (I mean the actual house.  LOL)

You'll notice, I added that my house is dysfunctional.  I have an old house that doesn't really have much closet or storage space.  The only closet on the main floor is one small closet in my room.  This means no coat closet and no linen closet.  The bathroom is tiny and consists of a tub, sink, and toilet.  There is no vanity.  There are no cabinets.  In other words, there is very little space to organize stuff.  It's Hoarders waiting to happen. 

I do do some things right.  Some things are done every day.  For example, in the kitchen, the dishwasher is loaded and unloaded twice (at least) everyday.  The counters are wiped down, the sink in cleaned out, the floor is swept, and the trash is taken out.  Two loads of laundry are done, that is washed, not necessarily folded and put away.  :)  In the bathroom the sink is wiped out, the faucets are shined, the floor is cleaned and swept, and the trash is emptied.  The couches and chair are cleared in the living room,  the hearth straightened up, the table cleared, and the floor swept/vacuumed.  The dining room floor is swept and the dining room table cleared (usually, unless there is laundry on it, which has been the case lately.)  My bed is made and the floor is cleared and swept on Sane Man's side per his request.  (He doesn't like to get crunchies on his feet after taking a shower, go figure.)  But all this seems to be undone as fast as it's done.  Actually, about ten times faster.  It also seems to consume a considerable amount of time every day.  This means the other areas of the house become neglected.  This is where the little "hoarder pockets" start to grow.

So the plan is this.  I will take each of the items on my list and blog about how I am conquering in this area.  I will also be looking for input as to how to do better in that area.  I want to hear your ideas.  Let's do this together!!! 

The next post will be about how being frugal, while a great thing, can lead to hoarding.  I hope to post it at the beginning of next week.  So, please think about this and come back so that you can comment with your ideas.  Also, if you happened to post about it on your own blog, leave the link and we'll all learn from each other! 

Well, I suppose I'd better get back to my little hoarder pockets now.  Maybe I'll even take some pics!  Ewwww......    :)

Yikes! I just watched Hoarders!

Have you seen Hoarders?  It's a reality show on the A & E Network about, well, hoarders.  LOL  In other words, these are folks who take messy to a whole new level.  Now, I don't have cable, but we recently bought a BLU-RAY player which came with a free subscription to Netflix.  I'd always wanted to see the show, and Netflix has it as an instant download, so this was my big chance to watch it. 

Wow.

I thought I was a messy gal.  I AM a messy gal.  I have messy kids.  But I am not a hoarder.  I don't have a house full of expired food, empty wine bottles, rotten pumpkins, or dead cats.  So, watching Hoarders should make me feel better, right?  WRONG!  Know why?  Because I see that I have great potential!  LOL  What drives these people to become hoarders lives in me.  Yes, I have self-diagnosed myself as having hoarder tendencies.  Here's a list I've come up with as to why I feel this way.

• I'm frugal. 
• I'm sentimental.
• I procrastinate.
• I'm disorganized. 
• I'm a people pleaser and just WAY too nice.  (Hear the kids snickering?)

Because of these things I tend spend hours cleaning with little tangible results.  Now, if I have a few hours I can make this place fairly presentable for company.  The four main rooms on the main floor pretty much get cleaned every day.  They never get so bad that we can't tidy them up with a little concentrated effort.  That being said, I still rarely have anyone over.  It's just too darn stressful for me. Another problem I have is that I tend to put off fun stuff, like getting together with friends, visiting relatives, or just going to the park because "I should really just stay home and clean."  My house is like a ball and chain that keeps me tied down.   I need to really take a look at that list above and figure out a way overcome these issues so that I can be free.  My house should serve me, not the other way around. 

Will you join me for this journey?  Maybe you're have a little bit of hoarder in you too, or maybe even a lot!  Or maybe you used to and have overcome.  Or maybe you don't get this at all and can just be here to encourage me to keep on keepin' on!  My plan is to do a little series on what is causing me to be a messy and what I can do about it.  I have no real plan, I'm just winging it, but I do plan to check in a few times a week to let you know my progress.  I do hope you'll come along beside me.  I always work better with a friend.  :)