I am reading with interest the issue regarding not wanting to be seen taking out the trash. While I can't relate to the issue, I can tell you that if I were your neighbor, I would feel positive about seeing you make multiple trips to the trash bin with bulging bags, and would assume you were doing a heavy duty spring cleaning (or summer cleaning, fall cleaning, winter cleaning).

In today's society, the vast majority of people have too much "stuff," regardless of whether or not they hoard. It is simple overconsumption at work. I would rather see all useable "stuff" going to people who really need it, rather than sit in someone's home who doesn't really need it. And a lot of my own stuff that is better quality and clean has been going to a local thrift store which supports a local cat rescue shelter. I'm happy all around, at least happier than having it clutter up my house as it has been.

So, carry those bags out proudly.

My goodness -- I just read all of your posts on this thread & it brings tears to my eyes ~> Tears of Happiness for having found these message boards (& the mere fact this website exists!), Tears of Release for no longer feeling so isolated & alone, & most of all, Tears of Admiration for the Massive Courage I see exercised by everyone here on a daily & weekly basis!

I found myself relating to all of the posts on this thread as I seem to vascillate -- depending upon how positively or negatively I am feeling about myself on that particular day/night around garbage pick-up day.

I do have to say, I am lucky to have wonderful neighbors. I've shared my hoarding struggle with 2 good friends in the neighborhood --so it's nice to have them "cheer" me on when I put out more garbage for pick-up--they are very supportive & that helps alot:)

I WISH my weekly pick-up allowed as much garbage as some of you mentioned!!!
My county allows a "super-sized" pick-up 3 times per year for house. You just have to call a day ahead to schedule it & tell them what kind of items need to be picked up. One of our really organized neighbors scheduled a pick-up for her household a couple of months ago & I couldn't believe how much stuff they "let go of" -- & her house is really organized!!! So, she kind of inspired me to want to try that this year.
As I'm ready -- After dropping off from progress (though not "refilling" hoard 😉 since Dec. 10, 2012, I'm just starting back(as of 5/21/2013) on my de-hoarding progress.

Hi LittleLioness 🙂

Welcome.

It saddens me that you could be getting uncluttered faster but are afraid of what people would think. 🙁

Everybody needs to do a good deep clean out once in a while.
I am not a hoarder, my closest neighbors are not hoarders but you should see all the stuff we all find to get out of our homes about every year!

If I saw you taking out lots of bags I would assume that you were doing a good Spring clean and that would motivate me to look around at my stuff and decide what I should be bagging up for the trash too.

My advice to you is to go for it!
So that your home can be tidier so much sooner. 😀

Wow, I had no idea that there were others like me out there! I am struggling to clear my apartment of the hoards of stuff, but I, too, am embarrassed for my neighbors to see me dragging all the large trash bags out to the apartment community trash bins. Because my ground floor apartment is next to the laundry room, I listen to make sure no one is in there before opening my front door to take out the trash (wouldn't want to run into anyone and have them see all the stuff in my place!). Once I start out with a couple of bags, I walk up the steps as quietly as possible and pray I don't run into anyone before I make it out the front door of the building. Then I hurry across the parking lot to the dumpsters and quickly toss my bulging 33 gallon trash bags. I could get rid of a quite a few bags in one day, but I fear neighbors seeing me making multiple trips with two large bags at a time, and what they would think. At this rate, I am going to be months and months trying to clear my apartment.

For me putting out the trash is a wonderful positive experience.

Once I decide something is trash I no longer want it in my home.

If someone should see me doing this and think anything negative about me my thoughts are that maybe they should be minding their own business and getting their trash out too.

On trash day I love to see that we have put out a lot!
We have a big green wheelie bin and are also allowed to put out 7 additional cans or bags or boxes or bundles.

The trash service here is so generous because the county does not want people dumping trash out in the desert.

When we have lots of trash picked up I am very proud of all the work my hoarder has done around here. 😀

Isn't that such a strange thing to be feeling weird about? I am the same way. You'd think we would feel kind of proud, or at least normal, when we are getting our trash out.

This is another reason I am so thankful to have found this board. It's been helpful to know that some of my stranger feelings are shared by many others. 🙂

Hi Andi,

I am the exact same way when it comes to taking out the trash too. 🙂

It's so nice to know that I'm not the only one who doesn't like being seen taking out the trash. 🙂

Normally when I have to take out the trash, I always do it really fast. 🙂

I literally grab the 2 big wheelie trash cans that are in the garage and role them outside really fast and then run back inside really fast before anyone can see me. 🙂