Stop kidding yourself – if you find yourself collecting anything and everything – a bus ticket from your Amsterdam trip, a promotional fridge magnet you received in the post, bits and pieces from various flea markets, paper clips, etc, etc, chances are you are a hoarder.
While there are various psychological factors linked to this habit, there are ways to help you stop.
Women24's organising expert, Tracey Foulkes, offers some advice:
Tip 1.
Never (ever) shop without a list. Resist impulse purchases and only purchase what you need and what you will use.
Tip 2.
Try shopping with an empty purse! Leave all credit/debit cards, cash and cheque books at home and hit the malls and markets with an empty wallet or with a seriously restrictive budget. Shop with a notepad and pen instead and make a note of every item you manage to resist. At the end of the day, add up what you could have spent and celebrate what you’ve saved.
Tip 3.
Go cold turkey. No more malls or markets unless you’re with your “break the hoarding habit buddy” who can help you make wise decisions without compromising your bank balance, your sanity and your space.
About Tracey Foulkes
Tracey is the founder of professional organising in South Africa, Golden Circle Member of the National Association of Professional Organisers based in America and founder member of the Professional Organiser Association Africa. She has a background in Interior Design and graduated with distinction in the Program for Retail Management through Unisa. Foulkes is a wife to Doug and mom to Ryland and Deena. She runs her business from her home office in Wellington. To find a professional organizer in your area go to www.getorganised.co.za.
Got any more organising tips to add to Tracey's list? Share them with other readers in the box below.
While there are various psychological factors linked to this habit, there are ways to help you stop.
Women24's organising expert, Tracey Foulkes, offers some advice:
Tip 1.
Never (ever) shop without a list. Resist impulse purchases and only purchase what you need and what you will use.
Tip 2.
Try shopping with an empty purse! Leave all credit/debit cards, cash and cheque books at home and hit the malls and markets with an empty wallet or with a seriously restrictive budget. Shop with a notepad and pen instead and make a note of every item you manage to resist. At the end of the day, add up what you could have spent and celebrate what you’ve saved.
Tip 3.
Go cold turkey. No more malls or markets unless you’re with your “break the hoarding habit buddy” who can help you make wise decisions without compromising your bank balance, your sanity and your space.
About Tracey Foulkes
Tracey is the founder of professional organising in South Africa, Golden Circle Member of the National Association of Professional Organisers based in America and founder member of the Professional Organiser Association Africa. She has a background in Interior Design and graduated with distinction in the Program for Retail Management through Unisa. Foulkes is a wife to Doug and mom to Ryland and Deena. She runs her business from her home office in Wellington. To find a professional organizer in your area go to www.getorganised.co.za.
Got any more organising tips to add to Tracey's list? Share them with other readers in the box below.