Based on what I saw during the clean-up, insecurity is one factor. If you have dozens of the same products everywhere, you will always have them. The thing is that he would put his things in a plastic bag, like a Ziplock baggy, many times along with a note. Then the bag would be placed in a box that would be stored in a closet or the shed or basement, never to be seen again until I came along to clean it up. It was a mental disorder by this point, but devastating spiritually as well.
They had a strange reverence or respect for these objects and possessions as they stored them away, never to be used or enjoyed by anyone again. Not only is this selfishness and greed, but it is also a form of idolatry, placing the creation above everything else including the creator. It seemed they were trying to fill a spiritual void, evidenced by the number of religious items and Bibles they hoarded. However, the pagan Native books and artifacts far outnumbered anything Christian. They worshiped antiques and Native artifacts. They had some strange and questionable things in their collections like human remains from a native burial. It controlled their lives and ultimately contributed to their deaths and may have landed them in Hell now that they both passed away.
Prepping, collecting, and resale businesses like junkyards aren't hoarding. But if you never use your preps or display your collections or sell your junk, you may be a hoarder.
They kept everything, esp. paperwork. That was very helpful in understanding their choices in life and how it got them to the point it did. It was painfully obvious knowing what I knew before the rest of the pieces fell into place, but selfish and greedy intentions motivated my mother. She did well financially as her investment portfolio showed, but eventually, it all got pissed away on weird stuff and garbage by my stepdad after she passed away. He left all kinds of medical bills he refused to pay and was very greedy and selfish in the end. He didn't take proper care of the property or his own health and safety, acquiring more stuff, esp. free stuff, was mostly all he did. Most times he went anywhere it was to get more things.
My uncle was like that, collected a bunch of junk with grand plans about what he would do with it. He did do some projects with his junk, but that caused the city to condemn his house so it was torn down and hauled to the dump. More family history pissed away because of hoarding.
There are people who make art from "found objects" and people who "repurpose" used items, but they aren't hoarding unless they hide their creations away from everyone else and refuse to part with them.
They had a strange reverence or respect for these objects and possessions as they stored them away, never to be used or enjoyed by anyone again. Not only is this selfishness and greed, but it is also a form of idolatry, placing the creation above everything else including the creator. It seemed they were trying to fill a spiritual void, evidenced by the number of religious items and Bibles they hoarded. However, the pagan Native books and artifacts far outnumbered anything Christian. They worshiped antiques and Native artifacts. They had some strange and questionable things in their collections like human remains from a native burial. It controlled their lives and ultimately contributed to their deaths and may have landed them in Hell now that they both passed away.
(09-19-2024, 03:00 AM)Infolurker Wrote: I guess I am kind of a hoarder... of useful things.
I have been mylar'ing up buckets of food off and on for 15 years. The buckets are stacking up. I hoard other food as well and useful "tools".
I am not sure if disaster preparation is specifically classified as hoarding unless you are clearing the grocery store during a crisis. I have been storing food over time so I don't have to do that.
Prepping, collecting, and resale businesses like junkyards aren't hoarding. But if you never use your preps or display your collections or sell your junk, you may be a hoarder.
They kept everything, esp. paperwork. That was very helpful in understanding their choices in life and how it got them to the point it did. It was painfully obvious knowing what I knew before the rest of the pieces fell into place, but selfish and greedy intentions motivated my mother. She did well financially as her investment portfolio showed, but eventually, it all got pissed away on weird stuff and garbage by my stepdad after she passed away. He left all kinds of medical bills he refused to pay and was very greedy and selfish in the end. He didn't take proper care of the property or his own health and safety, acquiring more stuff, esp. free stuff, was mostly all he did. Most times he went anywhere it was to get more things.
(09-19-2024, 01:06 AM)GeauxHomeLittleD Wrote: I feel like if I wanted to liken hoarding to a sin my pick would be sloth, but I'm no expert. It just seems like hoarders accumulate all of these things with all of these ideas and plans but then are too lazy to implement them. Much easier to accumulate things and let them take over space than to actually do something with them or even organize them and stow them away neatly.
I have to watch myself as I tend to hoard crafting and gardening supplies because I know that eventually I will have time and a use for them- and I absolutely do- but sometimes it will be a while before I get around to a particular project and if I'm not careful I find areas being overtaken by materials for future projects. Limited space makes it a bigger problem than it should be but I try my darnedest to keep it under control.
My uncle was like that, collected a bunch of junk with grand plans about what he would do with it. He did do some projects with his junk, but that caused the city to condemn his house so it was torn down and hauled to the dump. More family history pissed away because of hoarding.
There are people who make art from "found objects" and people who "repurpose" used items, but they aren't hoarding unless they hide their creations away from everyone else and refuse to part with them.
A trail goes two ways and looks different in each direction - There is no such thing as a timid woodland creature - Whatever does not kill you leaves you a survivor - Jesus is NOT a bad word - MSB