Hello, my fellow hoarders! Today we’re treading into a topic that’s a tad touchy for some: hoarding. Don’t worry, we’re not talking about those extreme cases you see on telly where they need a JCB to clear out the living room. Nope, we’re focusing on everyday clutter and those of us who might find it just a smidge difficult to let things go. Sound familiar? Then buckle up, because we’re diving into a deep spring clean with a sprinkle of fun!
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Don’t be a judgemental Judy
First things first, let’s make this a judgment-free zone. We all have our quirks, and let’s face it, hoarding can sometimes just be a side effect of a busy life that does not need to be judged to pieces. With that out the way, grab a cuppa and let’s start your journey towards clutter-free nirvana.
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Make a game of it
Yes, really! Turning the process of dealing with your clutter into a game can be an excellent way to turn it into a fun activity, which means you are more likely to do it. Set yourself a timer and see how many items you can clear out in 15 minutes. Keep track of your score and try to beat it each time, and you’ll be surprised at just how motivated you are to beat your personal best. The time will fly by and before you know it, you will be a hoarder no more.
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Seek help from your most brutally honest friend
Brutally honest friends are the friends you really need when you want to sort out just about any issue in your life, and that includes your hoarding habit. So, invite over that friend who will always tell you the truth, even if they know you don’t want to hear it, hire a decent-sized skip bin and go about asking said friend what they think you should keep and what you need to get rid of like, right now. When you’re umming and ahhing over whether to keep that novelty tea cosy you won in a raffle six years ago, they will be the ones to make you see sense!
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A photo will last longer
If you cannot bear to get rid of those love letters that your teenage romance sent you all those years ago or that stuffy one that you won at the fair with your dad when you were five, then consider taking photos of them to help you along with the process. You don’t need to get rid of everything sentimental, and keeping a few mementoes is fine, but when everything is a sentimental item, it can become an issue. By taking a photo of these things, you can still look at them and reminisce whenever you want, without turning your home into a hoarder’s paradise.
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Have you used it lately?
Another trick is to ask yourself: “Have I used this in the last year?” If the answer is “no”, it’s time for it to go. You’ll be surprised how many items you’re holding onto ‘just in case’. Let’s be honest, that fondue set gathering dust since 2005 isn’t going to be missed.
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Get your psychology on
Now, a little bit of psychology for you. According to experts, our brains often mistake ‘letting go of items’ for ‘letting go of the memories associated with them’. To counter this, consciously acknowledge that your memories aren’t in the objects themselves, but in you. Sounds a bit deep, I know, but give it a go.
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Visualise your life without clutter
Remember, your ultimate goal is a clutter-free, peaceful space. Visualising this can be a powerful motivator. So, picture yourself in your tidy, serene room enjoying a cuppa or reading a book. That’s the dream, right?
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Bingo!
Another neat idea is to play ‘declutter bingo’. Make a bingo-style grid with different items or areas to declutter (e.g., ‘5 Old Magazines’, ‘Kitchen Drawers’, ‘Under the Bed’). Then, each time you complete a task, cross it off. Not only does this bring a bit of fun into the mix, but the satisfaction of getting a line or full house might just be the motivation you need!
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Seek help
If you do think that your hoarding is more than just an attachment to clutter and you feel like it could be a compulsion you cannot control, then getting some help in the form of therapy for hoarding disorder could be the thing you need.
Here’s to a home that is clutter free and a mindset that is no longer hoarding-orientated!