The Difference Between a Collector and a Hoarder

Photo from Charlotte Lee / Associated Press

An article I read recently reminded me how people get emotionally attached to their stuff. 

Something that looks like clutter to you might be someone else’s beloved collection.  What separates collectors from hoarders is the collector’s ability to maintain the acquisitions, often cataloguing them, then displaying them for his or her enjoyment.

There is a fine line, however, between maintaining a collection and having it become an obsession.  The homeowners who were interviewed for the story admit that they work to keep their collections from overtaking their homes.

“We seem like normal people, until you see our basement.” - Charlotte Lee

In the article, interior designer Sandra Espinet encourages people to live with their collections, although she does recommend rotating items in the collection and editing so that the best examples are displayed.

Do you have a collection that you enjoy?  How do you display it? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
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And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

The Difference Between a Collector and a Hoarder

Photo from Charlotte Lee / Associated Press

An article I read recently reminded me how people get emotionally attached to their stuff. 

Something that looks like clutter to you might be someone else’s beloved collection.  What separates collectors from hoarders is the collector’s ability to maintain the acquisitions, often cataloguing them, then displaying them for his or her enjoyment.

There is a fine line, however, between maintaining a collection and having it become an obsession.  The homeowners who were interviewed for the story admit that they work to keep their collections from overtaking their homes.

“We seem like normal people, until you see our basement.” - Charlotte Lee

In the article, interior designer Sandra Espinet encourages people to live with their collections, although she does recommend rotating items in the collection and editing so that the best examples are displayed.

Do you have a collection that you enjoy?  How do you display it? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter and facebook
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Let Go of Perfection - Avoid Depression

According to research conducted recently by the University of Washington, women who buy into the “supermom” myth could have a greater risk for depression. 

The women were asked about their views on work-life balance when they were younger, before they had children; they were tested for symptoms of depression when they were 40. 

The ones who believed they would be able to seamlessly combine employment with family life had greater risk for depression than those who had a “more realistic view.”

“You can happily combine child rearing and a career, if you’re willing to let some things slide,” says Katrina Leupp, a sociology graduate student who led the study.

The article, Less Depression for Working Moms Who Expect That They ‘Can’t Do It All’, is available here.

Whether or not you are a parent, realize that you are capable of doing only do so much.  Getting the essential things done is more important than getting everything done.  Knowing what is essential can be a challenge, especially when you have multiple commitments.

What can you stop doing that will allow you to focus on your family and/or work more?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value

Follow me on twitter and facebook

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Let Go of Perfection - Avoid Depression

According to research conducted recently by the University of Washington, women who buy into the “supermom” myth could have a greater risk for depression. 

The women were asked about their views on work-life balance when they were younger, before they had children; they were tested for symptoms of depression when they were 40. 

The ones who believed they would be able to seamlessly combine employment with family life had greater risk for depression than those who had a “more realistic view.”

“You can happily combine child rearing and a career, if you’re willing to let some things slide,” says Katrina Leupp, a sociology graduate student who led the study.

The article, Less Depression for Working Moms Who Expect That They ‘Can’t Do It All’, is available here.

Whether or not you are a parent, realize that you are capable of doing only do so much.  Getting the essential things done is more important than getting everything done.  Knowing what is essential can be a challenge, especially when you have multiple commitments.

What can you stop doing that will allow you to focus on your family and/or work more?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value

Follow me on twitter and facebook

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Decision Fatigue

Every day you’re asked to make decisions.  You need to decide what to eat, what to wear, what to do with your time and how to spend your money, among other choices. 

In The Clutter Book: When You Can’t Let Go, I offer reasons people procrastinate, including getting stuck on information gathering and not being able to move forward. People may believe they want more choices, but faced with too many choices, they may become overwhelmed and unable to make a decision at all.

John Tierney, columnist for The New York Times and author of the new book “Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength,” says in a recent Times Magazine article

“No matter how rational and high-minded you try to be, you can’t make decision after decision without paying a biological price. It’s different from ordinary physical fatigue — you’re not consciously aware of being tired — but you’re low on mental energy. The more choices you make throughout the day, the harder each one becomes for your brain, and eventually it looks for shortcuts… One shortcut is to become reckless: to act impulsively instead of expending the energy to first think through the consequences… The other shortcut is the ultimate energy saver: do nothing.”

My clients often remark that they are exhausted after working through their clutter for a short time.  I tell them that the mental exertion can be much tougher than physical activity.  Tierney backs up that assertion by saying “…there is a finite store of mental energy for exerting self-control.”  Pushing yourself to complete a project can use up your willpower, leaving you unable to make decisions later on.

When you are struggling with deciding what to keep and what to let go, allow yourself enough time to make decisions.  You might be more successful earlier in the day, when your brain isn’t tired from other decision-making activities.  In addition, Tierney learned that glucose needs to be present in adequate amounts to fuel your brain, so you can maintain self control.  Set a timer for 30 minutes, grab a healthy snack and get started.

What tips do you have to improve willpower?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on Twitter and facebook

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Decision Fatigue

Every day you’re asked to make decisions.  You need to decide what to eat, what to wear, what to do with your time and how to spend your money, among other choices. 

In The Clutter Book: When You Can’t Let Go, I offer reasons people procrastinate, including getting stuck on information gathering and not being able to move forward. People may believe they want more choices, but faced with too many choices, they may become overwhelmed and unable to make a decision at all.

John Tierney, columnist for The New York Times and author of the new book “Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength,” says in a recent Times Magazine article

“No matter how rational and high-minded you try to be, you can’t make decision after decision without paying a biological price. It’s different from ordinary physical fatigue — you’re not consciously aware of being tired — but you’re low on mental energy. The more choices you make throughout the day, the harder each one becomes for your brain, and eventually it looks for shortcuts… One shortcut is to become reckless: to act impulsively instead of expending the energy to first think through the consequences… The other shortcut is the ultimate energy saver: do nothing.”

My clients often remark that they are exhausted after working through their clutter for a short time.  I tell them that the mental exertion can be much tougher than physical activity.  Tierney backs up that assertion by saying “…there is a finite store of mental energy for exerting self-control.”  Pushing yourself to complete a project can use up your willpower, leaving you unable to make decisions later on.

When you are struggling with deciding what to keep and what to let go, allow yourself enough time to make decisions.  You might be more successful earlier in the day, when your brain isn’t tired from other decision-making activities.  In addition, Tierney learned that glucose needs to be present in adequate amounts to fuel your brain, so you can maintain self control.  Set a timer for 30 minutes, grab a healthy snack and get started.

What tips do you have to improve willpower?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on Twitter and facebook

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Living Large on Less

Last week I read the story of Joseph Fonseca, a writer who took an unusual path after graduating college.  Instead of looking for a conventional job, he decided to travel around the country and let his adventures inspire his writing. 
He lives on less than $20,000 a year, and can pack everything he owns into “four medium-size cardboard boxes, a suitcase and one over-the-shoulder bag.”

Obviously, this kind of life isn’t for everyone; however, he makes some good points about accumulating.

"Possessions tend to breed more possessions. Once I started ridding myself of them, it became clear just how little I needed and how easy it was to live without."

Fonseca is conducting this experiment in itinerant living for a reason.  He budgets his money very carefully and is always prepared for the “worst-case-scenario.” 

"The fact remains, though, budgeting is only half the story. Even the most fiscally responsible person is going to fall off track unless he has a purpose, a goal worth saving toward."

His goal is detailed on his 10 cities/10 Years blog. I’m guessing that we’ll see a book deal soon.

Could you live this way for even one year? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter and facebook 
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Living Large on Less

Last week I read the story of Joseph Fonseca, a writer who took an unusual path after graduating college.  Instead of looking for a conventional job, he decided to travel around the country and let his adventures inspire his writing. 
He lives on less than $20,000 a year, and can pack everything he owns into “four medium-size cardboard boxes, a suitcase and one over-the-shoulder bag.”

Obviously, this kind of life isn’t for everyone; however, he makes some good points about accumulating.

"Possessions tend to breed more possessions. Once I started ridding myself of them, it became clear just how little I needed and how easy it was to live without."

Fonseca is conducting this experiment in itinerant living for a reason.  He budgets his money very carefully and is always prepared for the “worst-case-scenario.” 

"The fact remains, though, budgeting is only half the story. Even the most fiscally responsible person is going to fall off track unless he has a purpose, a goal worth saving toward."

His goal is detailed on his 10 cities/10 Years blog. I’m guessing that we’ll see a book deal soon.

Could you live this way for even one year? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter and facebook 
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!