Health Effects of Clutter?

Here is an interesting article by the NY Times about clutter, hoarding and the psychology involving both.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/health/01well.html?_r=1&no_interstitial&oref=slogin

When I read this I could not help thinking some of this applies to our hobby, especially this portion, "...At its most extreme, chronic disorganization is called hoarding, a condition many experts believe is a mental illness in its own right, although psychiatrists have yet to formally recognize it.

Compulsive hoarding is defined, in part, by clutter that so overtakes living, dining and sleeping spaces that it harms the person?s quality of life. A compulsive hoarder finds it impossible, even painful, to part with possessions. It?s not clear how many people suffer from compulsive hoarding, but estimates start at about 1.5 million Americans."

What do you think?

Wow...that sounds like me...Yeah I like to "Hoard" stuff, and I do not like to throw stuff away...unless it really is trash. Some people throw stuff away 'cause they don't like it. I only throw stuff away if it's broken...

Then I have my sketch and cel hoard...

I don't think I'm hurting myself or others. My hoard is kept neatly in it's place (A cabinet or something.)I don't think it's extreme though. Like the artical says...

[quote]Ms. Johnson explains that some people look at a shelf stacked with coffee mugs and see only mugs. But people with serious disorganization problems might see each one as a unique item ? a souvenir from Yellowstone or a treasured gift from Grandma.[/quote]

when I see something..I do have emotions toward it...maybe it was a gift..or a souvenir.

I did see on "Dr.Phil" this guy that had his WHOLE house covered with his "Hoard" so I hope that as long as I don't go that far...that I will be fine....

a funny thing happened recently a friend of mine who is a noncel collector had to prepare for a move. she was totally stressing out over packing and moving. basically the sorting and cleaning stuff up stressed her out to no end. it is weird but as a packrat she definitely falls into one of the categories mentioned in the article. funny thing she thinks it is all genetic since one of her parents is a huge packrat. guess this happens to more people around up than we might realize. :P

They say that if you don't use something in a year to a year and a half that you should toss it or donate it. I guess it goes for clothes, magazines, toys, books, etc.

Of course, as collectors it's definitely different because we don't exactly use cels, and they don't always depreciate in worth like other household items do. But this is one way to stave off clutter :)

It took a few moves to learn that this is the least stressful way to pack - to take only the essential 10% needed to live comfortably in the new house and leave 90% of the nonessential behind :)

I could not agree more idlesiren. With the exception of very few things that are not actually used per se like cels, I completely agree most items left untouched or "used" within one year should be sold, donated or simply discarded to help curb clutter.

Clothing, books (textbooks especially), toys, magazines, broken luggage, cooking equipment, old borderline rusted equipment such as gardening and art supplies just to name a few are the worst offenders in my abode.

How about yourself? What clutters your life? And do you plan on actively reducing it in 2009?