Photo by janetmck via Flickr
Today’s post is inspired by a conversation with my friend Debb, who thinks I need an intervention for my reverse kleptomania. What’s so funny about this post is that I originally planned an article about hoarding today (you’ll get that next time). Read on to get the full story.
We’ve been downsizing in stages now for a few years, and things are starting to get really aggressive.
The house goes on the market in just a couple of weeks, and we want to have everything gone that isn’t essential for daily living or staging the house.
One of my strategies lately has been leaving/donating/gifting items every time I go somewhere. Debb calls this “reverse klepto” and calls me on it every time (sorta like the Sheriff of Nottingham to my merry Robin Hood).
A few instances of my reverse kleptomania:
- We went to an event last week and they requested canned good donations for a food bank. We have several canvas bags, so instead of using a plastic one I donated our cans in the canvas tote.
- One of my friends commented that she loved all kinds of music, and I still have a hundred or so CDs that have already been transferred to my iPod. I brought them to her at a party in yet another canvas bag.
- At a potluck I brought a plate of brownies and “forgot” the plate as I was leaving. This friend brought the plate back to me, and when I explained my strategy she laughed (but still gave me the plate back).
Instead of coveting things I’m always on the lookout for how other people can use my stuff. I don’t want to offload junk, but if I see a need I want to fill it, even if that person doesn’t quite realize they have the need yet. Just last night at a party I figured out the perfect person to get my crockpot.
Debb is like an eagle when I go to her house, and she does a bag check when I leave to make sure I’m taking everything with me. She’s tough, that one. But most everyone else is okay with my reverse kleptomania. At least those who realize I’m doing it.
I’m not sure if this makes me an evil person or not, especially since I stand on my figurative soapbox every week and talk about downsizing and decluttering. But I’m on a timeline, people!
So I’m opening up the comments below for your judgements, sympathies, and creative new terms for “reverse kleptomania.” Debb will be so happy to finally have a name for it.
PS – I’m going to a Superbowl party at Debb’s house this weekend, and I plan to bring a dress for one of the other guests. In one of my canvas bags, of course! hehehe
Related posts:
About Betsy
Litterer of valuable things?
When someone leaves a coupon perched on top of the item in the grocery store, we affectionately refer to him/her as “the coupon fairy.”
So perhaps you can be the “clutter fairy.”
Just had another thought…..you suffer from OCD.
Obsessisive compulsive declutterer.
Make that Obsessive compulsive declutterer.
(sorry for the typo)
I admire what you are doing Betsy. If you have any DVD movies or even CDs that you want to donate I have a project, DVDs and CDs for the troops. I am working with a doctor from Ft. Lewis Army Hospital who is deployed to Iraq and so far have sent about 50 DVDs. He said the Medics and the wounded really appreciate them. They have started a library and it really helps to have them. Used are just fine.
I collected a bunch from my Case Manager Association.
Nancy
The Sheriff checking in! And in case anyone is wondering…Betsy was recently at my home and did leave one of those canvas bags AND an extra bag of goodies; and I thought I had so carefully been watching her.
I like the clutter fairy, Amy…..as she works to declutter her life – she sprinkles her belongings on the rest of us!
What a great idea Nancy about the DVDs and CDs – I am going to keep that in mind for some folks I know – thank you for sharing.
Alright – off to patrol Nottingham for unexpected decluttering!
Nancy, what a great idea for the CDs.
Amy, I like the OCD term – I am definitely an obsessive compulsive declutterer. And clutter fairy is pretty good, too.
Sheriff, sorry I got one over on you again. It was easy to distract you with so many people around.
We’ll keep it open another day or two for comments, and if no one comes up with a better name then Amy gets a prize. I’m not sure what just yet…let me look around and see what I’ve got.
This post makes me giggle. Every week, I take another little bag out of the house. Hubby just laughs at me now because I try to act SO casual about it but he knows what I am doing. He doesn’t mind so much but thinks it cute…I just send everything off with a blessing in hopes that the right person finds that right thing. : )