Hoarding People:

First, I do remember a time, not so long ago, when I didn't even watch t.v.  Now I am noticing that many of my posts lately have to do with what I have been watching on t.v.  Or, what I used to watch on t.v., like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Hmmmm.  If it helps my case any, I am usually reading my book as I am keep an eye on the ballgame or whatever show happens to be on at the time.  I multitask a lot.


That said, this show fascinates me:

Ever since my BFH has discovered it, I too am accused of being a hoarder from time to time.  In my defense, I know I have a lot of stuff, but you can still walk around here.


I feel so bad for folks who have houses that look like this:

Or like this:

I've watched Hoarders, Buried Alive enough to know that this isn't just a lack of housekeeping skills.  There are underlying emotional and sometimes mental health issues brought on by loss that causes people to live this way.  Then they go on t.v. and have others help them get their homes back to normal.

After I absorbed the "why" these people live like this, I have been thinking about the best ways to help them clean and organize their mega-messes.  It is like a challenge ... could I do a better job of helping them than the professional organizers do on the show?  And, I just itch to get my hands on those messes.  First I would do "rough sort" getting rid of the boxes and empty grocery bags and then "fine sort", getting down to the nitty gritty of things.


Anyway, back to the show.  The organizer/therapist first builds a relationship of trust with their client.  A very good idea, for sure. They assure the hoarding client that they will not be made to do anything that they do not want to do.  They bite their tongues and try not to become frustrated.  Then, they usually make them go though their mess a box at a time, getting rid of or keeping each item, one by one.

I know that there is no room in these homes, but I would like to see someone try the pile approach.  For example, put all the Christmas stuff into one pile; all the craft supplies and kitchen items in other piles.  Then go through and choose the most important Christmas items or whatever and donate the rest of them to St. Vincent's or Salvation Army.  Or the homeless shelter.  It would be like going shopping in your own home, because chances are you haven't seen most of that stuff for years anyway.  I just think if you see it all together, it would be easier than parting with things one at a time.  I don't know for sure though, it is just a thought.

As for me, the time has come for me to start making stuff with all of these art, craft, photo, fabric, etc. piles that I have in my creative room.   Oh, what another bunch of work that lies ahead of me now!  

Maybe I'll just leave my things as they are and become a professional organizer instead.  It might be easier.

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