EXERCISE XIX.

DECREASING WHAT YOU SAVE AND COLLECT

Saving or collecting things and not being able to get rid of them often becomes a problem. It is a
problem that usually starts small and grows. Our inability to get rid of things can be troubling. The
purpose of this exercise is for you to explore the issue and to decide upon a first step to reduce the
problem.

1. What are some things that you collect, save, or find yourself keeping because you can’t throw or
give them away? List each in the following space.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
2. Where do you keep/store the things you collect, save, or cannot throw or give away?

3. Who is most aware of how much you accumulate things?

4. How concerned are you about the amount of things you collect, save, and have difficulty throw-
ing away?

Not Some Concerned Quite Very

concerned concern concerned concerned

5. What are the thoughts and feelings you have when you try to throw or give something away?
A.
 B.

C.

6. To begin to change, select an item that you feel you can be successful at throwing or giving
away. Then establish a date to complete this by.
Item:
Completion date:
7. Who can you tell about your decision who would be helpful to you in accomplishing the previ-
ous task and/or hold you accountable for completing it?

8. After you have completed the task, answer the following questions with your therapist.
A. What was it like for you to do this?

B. How difficult was it for you? (Circle your response.)

a. easy b. quite easy c. hard d. very hard
C. What were your feelings after you completed the task?

D. What are the next two items that you will throw or give away?
1)
2)