If hoarding is one extreme and purging is the other, where do you think you fit?

If hoarding is one extreme and purging is the other, where do you think you fit?

I think I'm somewhere towards the hoarding side. It is difficult for me to purge things though I do go through cycles of getting rid of things when they become too much.

I am sort of in the middle. I keep some things based on the 'might need that someday' but if I have had it for several years and the need hasn't arisen I tend to pitch it. Of course having moved to different states three times in the last twelve years makes the purging mandatory and I must admit that is a good thing. Fortunately I have reached the point in my life that I really hate shopping even online so things now coming into my household are pretty much just the necessities of life.

I am definitely more of a purger. The older I get, the less vigorous I am in complete purges of "stuff".

In some ways we can see ourselves in this story. I guess my family would say Im a book hoarder because I have so many but I like to give them away once I've read them/ Im probably halfway between hoarding and purging.

I am somewhere towards the middle but leaning to the hoarder side because I tend to be a clutterer and sometimes I have a hard time throwing things away for sentimental reasons. I am getting much better though. At a much earlier point in my life I was compulsively neat, so I am kind of swinging back and forth. I would prefer to be neater than I am now, and have a place for everything. I am getting ready to move, after living in this house for nearly 35 years, and I am gearing up to do a lot of letting go. I don't want to bring a lot of old stuff that I don't need into my new house.

I am more of a hoarder. I like collecting stuff (dolls, eye washers, blue glassware, etc.) I got that from my parents, especially my dad who liked to collect things. My grandparents had a full attic. They didn't throw anything away because it might be useful some day. My grandmother reused things and very seldom bought new. In that way she would be thought of as being very "green" today. I do have way too many clothes in my closets. it is hard to get rid of anything that may still be in good shape and useful. My kids, though, don't want the stuff. So I better start purging!

I agree with janeh above. I don't want a bunch of clutter. I don't want to buy stuff or useless knick knacks from souvenir shops. I would rather do some good for the world with extra money.

Navy Mom's point is interesting--it seems like there might be a fine line between being a "collector" (something to admire, maybe), and a "hoarder." I'm wondering when that line is crossed, and if you can recognize it when it happens.

I'd never be accused of purging! I definitely save too much stuff (might be useful later, may want to read some day, has sentimental value, it's "valuable"). Moving definitely helps, although we had to move quickly in the winter 12 years ago and just boxed up a lot of stuff to bring. I've definitely moved away from buying stuff if it isn't needed, so hopefully I'm moving away from hoarding and more toward purging. But I don't admire people who don't keep any of their past stuff. I just need to find the balance. My mother kept her home very neat, but if you opened a drawer or closet, you'd find it completely full. We're contemplating moving again, and it gives me the motivation to purge. It helps if I can find someone who needs the stuff!

In the middle, but lean toward hoarding. i know that I have to purge, but I hide a lot of stuff in closets and drawers. Having been in my current home for 23 years, I haven't had the motivation that moving provides, so too much has accumulated. As I noted elsewhere, this book has helped motivate me to part with books and some other things I no longer need.

On a scale of one to 10, 10 being a hoarder and 1 being a purger, I would say a 4. I don't like to keep too much stuff, but it is really hard to throw away things like clothes that I like but never wear. And plastic margarine tubs and other kinds of used containers in the kitchen. Sometimes I gather them up and leave them in the garage until I can really see that I won't need them. The thing that best motivates me to clean is having a group of women over for bunco!

I am a cleaner! I keep drawers and closets completely in order and throw away everything that isn't useful or in good shape. I donate lots of clothes but I rarely touch my books. I do give books to my mother who loves to read as I do but I ask for certain ones back!

I think I am in the middle of the pack. My house isn't overcome with things that there isn't space but not everything has its' spot either.

I am definitely a pack rat, not quite to the hoard stage yet. I am getting ready for a move and plan on purging.