By: Elaine Birchall, MSW RSW, Social Worker, Ottawa Public Health;
\nCoordinator :Ottawa Community Response to Hoarding Coalition, March 2006<\/p>\n
Ask Yourself…<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do I have an immediate use for it?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do I need it? How many do I already have?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Can I get by without it?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do I feel compelled to have it?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Can I afford it comfortably?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do I have time to deal with it appropriately i.e? maintain it?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do I need it?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do I have a plan to use this?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Have I used this in the last year?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Can I get it elsewhere i.e.. the library?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do I have enough space for it already clear and available?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do I love it?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Start with one area; spend as many future work periods as needed to complete your goal for this area.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If entrances, exits or areas near heat and ignition sources for example, (furnaces, stoves, portable heaters, baseboard heaters, water heaters or uncovered light bulbs, are a cluttered, start with them first for safety reasons and continue working in that area until clear. The 1st fire safety priority is clear routes into and out of the residence. The 2nd priority is entrance and exits from each room.<\/p>\n
caution: Extension cords should not be used for permanent wiring purposes i.e.. instead of adequate electrical outlets connected to the electrical panel. Make sure smoke detectors are functioning.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Begin by creating categories for possessions<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sort into discard, recycle\/giveaway & keep piles<\/p>\n
\u2022 Use questions provided in “Acquiring & Discarding” Sections to decide.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Continue until chosen area is clear<\/p>\n
\u2022 Imagine and plan and a more pleasing use for the cleared area<\/p>\n
\u2022 Plan for preventing new clutter build up for that area by following the ideas in “Relapse Prevention.”<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Evaluate current reasons for cluttering<\/p>\n
\u2022 Get yourself support:<\/p>\n
1.trusted family & friends<\/p>\n
2.knowledgeable counselor<\/p>\n
3. Knowledgeable professional organizer<\/p>\n
4. Online support as provided above<\/p>\n
\u2022 Schedule regular times to organize & let go<\/p>\n
\u2022 Invite visitors home<\/p>\n
\u2022 Anticipate known stressors and your reactions<\/p>\n
\u2022 Apply skills developed so far and search out others to build on<\/p>\n
\u2022 Identify resources for the future<\/p>\n
\u2022 Be gentle with yourself and keep working at it.<\/p>\n
\u2022 It’s what you do every day, no matter how much, that will get you where you want to be.<\/p>\n
Remember:<\/p>\n
“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
\n(Dane County Elder Abuse Office – “This Full House”), Dane County, USA – 2000<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you needed
\nthis information
\nlater, how could
\nyou access it if
\nyou threw this
\naway now?
\nOnline?<\/p>\n
What do you
\nthink other
\npeople do with
\nsimilar items?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By: Elaine Birchall, MSW RSW, Social Worker, Ottawa Public Health; Coordinator :Ottawa Community Response to Hoarding Coalition, March 2006 Ask Yourself… Questions About Acquiring \u2022 Do I have an immediate use for it? \u2022 Do I need it? How many do I already have? \u2022 Can I get by without it? \u2022 Do I feel … <\/p>\n