Hoarding...what is the solution?

My husband is a hoarder but not to the extend that the house is full of junk and there's no space to move. He'll keep everything; from receipts, bills, papers, and even trash. I would usually throw away these things behind his back. It's best that if one is a hoarder, the other is not. Only then there will be balance. If both are hoarders, that's when the difficulties come in. I think one shouldn't get too attached to material things. When we die, we don't bring these things with us. They will be left behind. So just throw away whatever that is not immediately needed or if they can still be used donate them like old clothes and toys. I think you need to think this way. If you want to keep something, you need to throw away another or else you cannot keep it. That way you won't accumulate unnecessary stuff. All the best.

wow lisa.. from what I understand most hoarders don't call themselves hoarders..but bless you if you have come to the realization that you are...based on your post you stated that your house is clean and safe but if there are things packed in every available inch of your house I can't really understand how its safe..there seems to be an issue that you have to deal with. Hoarders eventually need the assistance of some professional...What about the other 6 peoplein the house hold? what are their thoughts about all the stuff that has taken up so much room in the house..I am glad you tried to erased that first thought of a hoarders house I had in my mind..based on what I have seen on the Hoarders Show on TV..But I can't get that image out of my mind..I am not a hoarder nor do i know a hoarder but good luck with clearing room for the holidays.. \

Hi! Happy mylotting! I am also a hoarder in a lot of things. From clothes to art materials to house ornaments and others. I am applying 5S's but only once a year, particularly during Christmas vacation. I have a neighbor who always helps me do it. If there are things that need to be disposed I but can still be used, I gave it to her. If she don't like she still take it and pass it to her cousins. There are a lot of things that are of no use anymore but I just love keeping it. :-) Favorite things let me say. Happy Monday!

I have hoarding tendencies which I fight to keep under control. Like all hoarders, the hoarding is the sympton not the actual disease! Hoarders often try to protect themselves with their hoard. I sometimes think it is used as a distraction, people (both the hoarder and those trying to help them) focus on the hoarding instead of the underlying issues so it doesn't change. I sometimes think that a more effective solution is to remove the hoarder for a time (don't touch the hoard, just leave it alone) and get them into a situation where they are living simply. Perhaps a retreat centre or working holiday on a farm or other project where there is no opportunity or need to collect anything. Once we see we can live without the stuff we can start to get rid of the stuff.

The solution to hoarding is professional help. The word “professional” by no means refers to a psychiatrist or doctor but refers to the ones who can not only solve the problem but also provide the remedy. Help the person recognize that his/her actions are inconsistent with her greater goals or values. Ask the person about her goals and values: "What's really important to you in life? How would you like your life to be five years from now? What are your hopes and goals in life?" Discuss whether the person's acquiring or difficulty organizing or getting rid of things fit with those goals and values. This is most effective if you ask, rather than tell: "How does the condition of your home fit with your desire to be a good grandmother? You've told me that friendships are very important to you; how well can you pursue that goal, given the way things are right now?" If you have been accustomed to arguing and threatening and blaming, your new approaches will surprise your loved one, and it may take a little time before the person begins to trust you. Try these methods in several conversations and notice whether the balance seems to be tilting in the right direction. If so, be patient and keep up the good work.

You seem like you genuinely want to sort out your problem with hoarding. Unfortunately it isn't easy as 'old habits die hard' as the saying goes. What you need to do is work out what you actually need, ie go round every room and see what is in the room and what you need, your bedroom for instance needs a bed and clothes and a cabinet, etc. If you look at something (a pile of old papers for instance) and realise that you don't need them as you will never pick them up again then recycle them. You have to try and break the habit, it's hard but doable. if you get anything new then you have to do the same thing, do i need this? if you don't dispose of it, if you do then keep it, but it is about need not want :)

I guess that you are a very emotional and sentimental person at that. There are things worth remembering and keeping and there are things that can already be considered as trash and clutter which takes up space. I suggest that you sort things out first. Try to make a list of those things that you are hoarding and categorize them if they are still worth keeping or not. ?It would be nice if you can jot down the reasons on why you categorized them as such to make the decision of what to do with such things easily. Also, try to apply what company system do to de-clutter away files from their logs. Do a scheduled clean up or review of those things that you hoard and set time frame for which you will keep them. Much like archiving files and maintaining history for only a set amount of time. Companies do evaluate procedures on doing this, it might help you out on getting a solution too about your hoarding habits. I hope this idea helps you out.

Hey Lisa! Do you happen to watch a TV series called Clean House? I believe that they give a lot of advise most especially to residents who keep on hoarding things that are usually no longer needed in their daily lives. You need space around the house to breathe and that you can have a space to go around and enjoy your abode. All you have to do is first gather thoughts about the things you still keep in your house that can be auctioned or sold but you also have to accept the fact that you need to detach yourself from these items and face a new you. :) I hope I have successfully shared my point. :) God bless and good luck!