Is anyone else out there as obsessed with the show Hoarders as I am? Yeah, I figured as much. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's basically an Intervention type show about people who are Hoarders. What is a hoarder? A hoarder is a person who attaches sentimental value to any material possession, literally keeps everything, and is unable to throw away anything; a hoarder is basically the complete and total opposite of me.
Confession: I get so freaked out by "stuff" that I am always the first to want to give anything and everything away if I think that we no longer have a use for it (shoes and bags not included.) This is great, and allows us to live a pretty clutter free lifestyle unless and until we actually need the thing that I threw/ gave away (hence my 2 hour search for a denim jacket this morning.) I realize it is a bit strange that I love the show Hoarders given my fear of accumulating stuff. But I just can't help it, I love that damn show. I love it because when I watch it I seriously start to twitch and sweat, my heart starts racing and about 5 minutes in I become possessed and begin to clean and organize every inch of my 1800 square foot home. Every. Single. Inch. Honestly, our home has never looked better but trust me there is a downside to this insanity. The other day my husband came in and I was in the kitchen surrounded by every single utensil and appliance that we own, deciding whether they could be better organized (they couldn't) and in the background I was watching a woman stand in a kitchen that she couldn't even walk through. Yeah, we had a little bit of crazy going on. Given that "episode" I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise that when I went to the DVR today all of my episodes had been deleted. All of them. I'm guessing "someone" would rather not come home to a deranged spoon organizer.
While I can part with almost anything, I have begun to notice that this rule doesn't apply to the Little Man. Specifically, it doesn't apply to anything the Little Man has ever created. Yes, I am talking about the dreaded artwork. I am not joking when I say that we are on our way to being overrun with his projects. Every time I pick him up from school, he has another 5 "creations" that are being sent home with him. In the beginning I taped them to the fridge. Then to the windows. Then to the walls in the kitchen. And, well, then I ran out of room. I realize that I could make a book of them but given that my guy is only 2 and already has three full baby books I'm wondering how many this kid is going to want when he goes off to college (zero.) At this rate he will have about 25. That's why I got so excited when I saw this on one my favorite website Ohdeedoh. Here is the answer to my clutter nightmare:
A framed photo collage made up off all that beautiful artwork! This may be the coolest idea ever (this and indoor plumbing.) From what I gather all you do is shrink and color copy your favorite pieces and arrange them in a gallery frame. The possibilities are endless. I'm thinking I would do a few by season and then change the artwork every few moths while keeping the same frame. I also love the idea that as the child grows so can the artwork. This is just what a crazy minimalist like myself dreams of! (No joke I dream of organizing in my sleep, yes I may need therapy.) But whether you are crazy or not this idea could work for everyone and it is so simple and easy.
Now I'm off to sort through my favorites, meaning I am off to copy every single picture that little boy ever made. Not only do I get to organize those pictures, but I then get to lay them out in a frame? This is a girls' dream!!!!!
Yep, definitely need therapy.
Happy cleaning everyone!
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9 comments :
I am 100% stealing this. Thank you!!!!!!
Such a great idea!
Yum - you REALLY need to get a life. Or at least contribute in a meaningful way to someone else's.
One of my favourite websites too - I have a thousand different ideas when I look at that site!!
Thanks for contributing meaningfully to my life xx
She is contributing to her son's life meaningfully. Maybe you should get a life, anonymous.
I have three children so it's impossible to keep every little thing. So I keep one or two sentimental items from the school year and I take a snap shot of each project. I have a binder with photo page protectors and I slip the picture in there. It's great because it keeps clutter contained and it's fun to look back at.
As far as Anon. comment...if you took the time to actually write that off the wall comment...you need to get a life.
Dear Yummy Mummy,
My name is Legally Brunette and I am a hoarder. Can you come over and help me out? =) You can't really see it on the surfaces in my home, but it's in the drawers and closets for sure. Inspired by your post today, I have tossed a flannel shirt I have had since high school and worn only once since college into my "to be donated pile." I had to get some encouragement from the husband because, as I told him, "it's the only evidence I was ever kind of granola." But in the bin it went. I also tossed a pretty but unusable soap box that I kept because it was a souvenier from a trip to California 15 years ago. I'll never be minimalist but this is a start. xoxo
The first thing i thought of when you mentioned hoarders was all the twin's art work I can't part with. They have been in school a while and some of it is just crap BUT I love the collage idea make great gifts for grandparents. Maybe I will start scanning in my favorite pieces and saving that way...I think you are living your life like you want to so that comment doesn't even make sense. I never felt like I had much of a life before kids now i have life oozing out of every thing eew! that sounded gross. We just had a sugar binge at work can you tell?
Anon: Seriously?
LB: Ahhhh I am so proud of you!! I would be happy to come and have organize with you anytime (yes, I have a sickness)... all we need is a bottle of wine and a few hours!
Kriss: Great idea, I bet with three you've got containing the clutter down to a science!
Thank you all for meaningfully contributing to my life every day!
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