Hankster, at Christmas, my adult son , said , " Mom, I can't really say hoarding, but..."

And my brother suggested contractor size garbage bag. It was, I hope the beginning of letting go if stuff.

So far I'm on my 2nd box of 24 contractor size bags. So I don't cheat, part if it was the carpet I pulled up , but still. I know that some people don't own 24 bags full if stuff.

So I don't think you are mixing metaphors at all. My " stuff" , both the things that can be put in a garbage bag, and the emotional stuff that I only wish I could put in a garbage bags, all date from the same events - losses and betrayal.