Why do the messes come back? Extreme Basement Declutter

[@carypolakowski4817]

I love what you said about the shirt not needing to be a trophy for losing the weight. That was profound. Something that might be helpful after a garage sale is deciding” I am not going to put everything away now because I’m exhausted or busy. I’ll take care of it when I can.” A conscious decision gives yourself permission to take care of things when you can. Great job as always!

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much my friend ❤️🙏🏼❤️

[@paigebecker6446]

"I can let go of that old story." I found this so helpful as I have a hard time getting rid of clothing, often because it represents something from my past that I am having trouble letting go. But clothing from the past does not represent me in the present. It is an old story, and I am the new me!

[@ahoardersheart]

This is so beautifully written out!!! Thank you so much for sharing 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@ediefolta9494]

Maybe the way to deal with the stuff being saved for painting the hallway etc is to give them a home with paint brushes, rollers and trays. Same with stuff for other projects. Give them a home with other items for that activity.

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much, that is a great idea!!! 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@DocTardis10]

Can I make a suggestion? I don’t have hoarding disorder, so take this with a grain of salt. I also have issues associating memories with objects, and one thing that has helped me is taking pictures of my children (now 16 & 13) USING those objects, wearing those clothes, playing with those toys, holding up those trophies, etc. Your kids are still young enough to do this , too. Letting go of the object itself has been easier if I have a picture of it, especially of the kids using it when they were younger. I also saved a lot of my childhood toys, but have come to realize that they didn’t preserve well or the kids just didn’t want them so there’s no point in saving them for grandkids someday. I’d rather someone be able to use them.

[@janeorr3074]

You have come so far!!! being able to deal with clothes and baby items in one session is huge. Best wishes in getting trash/charity/churned items out of the basement. I totally support your effort to get all items in labeled bins in lieu of cardboard boxes with items sticking out. I am so thankful that you discuss your ADHD, it helps me not to feel so alone in my struggles. Cheers!

[@ahoardersheart]

You are definitely not alone in your ADHD struggles ❤️🙏🏼❤️ The good thing is that we can get through this together 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@janeorr3074]

@@ahoardersheart

[@nixynightmares]

I highly reccomend researching tank sizes. Pumps and other needs for the fish before getting them ! There's quite a lot of work that goes into it but your fishies will be very happy with that work 💜

[@amara560]

Yes, I'm so glad you brought this up! Please make sure to do plenty of research, cycle your tank and do not get a goldfish for that size tank.

[@salvagemania]

Looking up how to cycle an aquarium would be good too. The process is pretty straightforward.

[@ahoardersheart]

Oh yes, we absolutely will ❤️🙏🏼❤️ We love animals/all living creatures so much that we will do the proper research first!

[@nixynightmares]

@@ahoardersheart bless you 💜🙏 we know the fishies will be loved in your house 😊

[@alyssapfluger4236]

Similarly for betta fishes! They are tropical fish that need 10 gallon tanks and heaters. Many people don't know that (and I definitely didn't as a kid)

[@alanbirkner1958]

Hi, I enjoy sorting and decluttering. I go around my home drawer by drawer and toss papers, clothing, craft items, books, and more. I found a stack of papers to shred. My daughter has ADHD and other disorders. We work together to sort her things. Tina, Al's wife

[@alanbirkner1958]

BTW. You are doing a great job explaining Hoarding and ADD. Tina, Al's wife

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so so much my dearest friend ❤️🙏🏼❤️ I always enjoy reading your message 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@elexafischer8288]

Wow. I needed to hear that about the trophy outfit! You're right; the victory IS about health. I AM going to let go of some stuff this weekend!

[@ahoardersheart]

Yessssss!!! I am cheering you on every step of the way 📣🦄💜🌟📣🦄💜🌟

[@reneemenary7641]

I just want you to know how much I enjoy your videos. I look forward to when you post a new one, and usually listen to it a couple times. What a good job you're doing cleaning things out. Good for you. I hope you're having a good summer. Thanks for sharing your videos with us. :)

[@cathryncavalli]

My In-laws kept a lot of my husbands toys and books. 27years later, my daughter plays with them and we read the same books he remembers loving. If you have the space to store it and keep it clean, all for free… don’t feel pressured about getting rid of it 😊❤

[@terrybryson6864]

I think keeping toys is good. We saved most of our sons toys and now our 4 grandchildren enjoy them. If you can clean them, and they aren’t deteriorated, they are fine. No reason to purchase many more when you have grandchildren. They love the toys.

[@eileenlehonnyberg1576]

I don’t have adhd but I have the same re-cluttering or not completing the process issue. The way you are combining like items, labeling bins, revisiting boxes and bags, and saving items that are important to you equals on-going success.

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much my friend ❤️🙏🏼❤️

[@Xiroi87]

I quite good at getting rid of stuff, but i keep some old clothes, not a large amount, I haven't used in ages, not sure why. Now you've just have explained why. I wasn't even aware of the emotional attachment to what they represent. Time to work on that! Thank you for being such an inspiration.

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much for your encouraging message!! I’ll be cheering you on as you declutter and go through your clothes 📣🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@summerbaby4600]

Your tossy tossy pile is so impressive EACH episode!!!👏👏👏👏👏

[@ahoardersheart]

Awe, thank you so much!! That really means a lot to me 🥹❤️🙏🏼

[@alisasmirnova2503]

You always mention that stuff bring out memories Maybe you could try to write an autobiography where all those memories will be kept - along with the pictures of the items, or of you actually wearing this clothes, or of your boys actually playing with the toys Every little scene can be described there It’s interesting whether you will feel the same reading it comparing to holding the item itself

[@francinehogsett3065]

Clothing is always the hardest for me….but I’ve gotten rid of a lot and I do the 1 in 1 out rule 😘❤️ great job my friend

[@katia_g213]

🎉🎉🎉 Always great to get rid of old clothes. I wish I had pictures of myself in my favorite outfits. 2012 brings me back! "Shopping is my Cardio" was one of the most popular phrases! 😂

[@Meme4Mimi]

Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and thought processes! You continue to be one of my inspirations !

[@ahoardersheart]

Awe, you are so incredibly sweet!! Thank you for always keeping me encouraged to keep going 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@bethstratton3391]

Ms Heart, well done on going through the churned items and decluttering them. Keep opening up that floor space and clearing the clutter and debris, because it will be so nice when the boys finally get the opportunity to have the fish they want and set up the fish tank. That said, whilst watching the section of your video in which you talked about your boys having room for a fish tank. I started wondering something, which is this: I know you asked your boys a few years back as the pandemic was starting, what they thought of you holding on to so much of their stuff from when they were younger. You suggested at that time that they didn’t mind because they knew it made you as someone with ADHD/ADD happy and soothed you as a person (I’m presuming they were not aware of your miscarriages at this time). However, I’m wondering what do they think now that they are nearly another five years older? In view of the fact that your boys are now personally responsible for their own things and have, therefore, chosen to declutter so many kids things in their own mini decluttering videos. Also, bearing in mind that they both asked to be allowed to have more grown up bedrooms and chill out spaces. I say this because I know many young adults who hate seeing all their old kiddy stuff because they want to be acknowledged as having moved on from childhood, and no longer want to be reminded of being kids; but rather want to be seen fully for the late teens or almost adults that they are. This expresses similar sentiments as to when older boys feel somewhat embarrassed if their parents suddenly take out old baby and kids photo albums to flick through in front of their peers.

[@ahoardersheart]

What a great question!! Yes, Brandon recently turned 16 and likes his room neat, organized and more adult looking now! But he does still have sentimental attachment to some of his childhood toys, he has them in bins in the basement (they’re going to have another mini series this summer!) Tyler who turned 12 is a very young 12! lol He still likes his plushies and childhood stuff. He’s wants to do another bedroom declutter but he’s having a harder time Decluttering and organizing than his brother! To which I tell him, “no worries, you developing those skill sets and you’re doing amazing bc you want to do another video!!”

[@bethstratton3391]

@@ahoardersheart I am so glad you took my question in the positive genuine spirit it was intended. Thank you for taking the time to answer me. Both of your son’s do a brilliant job at decluttering, but you have taught them so well. I will be looking forward to seeing their progress and yours in your summer videos. I have to admit I thought Tyler was 13 though not 12. They are growing up to be such wonderful boys. We are all so proud of how far you have come Ms Heart, you amaze me with your strength of character and willpower to help others. You are a genuine and blessed person.

[@danielles3841]

It is amazing to see how much you have grown over the years. I first found you through your Konmari videos, when you didn't show your face and had sunglasses on. I'm so proud of you and your growth!

[@pattyburkhart3270]

I gave totes of toys to Head Start and a church daycare. They loved them. When ever you’re ready.

[@myrnahouston5773]

Your down to earth approach and honesty is refreshing and appreciated! Thank you for sharing again!

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much my friend, your encouragement means so much to me ❤️🙏🏼❤️

[@thecrazylifeandtimesofacra2629]

this is where i a at now in my journey i clean and clean and clean but it looks like i never even started it seems to have all crept right back in again and it brought friends lolol i need still way less stuff i been decluttering for 2 yrs now but i feel like theres still a lot where does it all come from im trying not to bring in anything we dont need or that didnt need upgraded but it still comes or i clean out one spot and it just messes up what i already had completed and with my adhd i am all over the place and never really can get one thing done i just dont even know if ill ever get rid of enough to lift the weight off my back but ill keep on trying i guess

[@allalala9916]

For baby stuff it helps to go through each item regularly and arrange it from the least attached to the most attached. My 9 was the most attached to Lego duplo, everything else he played with for a time and then completely forgot about it. My 3 year old used to love two horses, now he loves paw patrol but he is not attached to any one particular toy. He mostly like to pretend that he himself is one of the characters. I keep one toy from each stage in life, except Lego.

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so so much for sharing such amazing organizing advice!!!

[@rebeckamattisson5083]

Yay, a great decluttering session today! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤

[@ahoardersheart]

Whoo Hoo 🎉🎉🎉 Thank you so much my dearest friend 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@goldfishsnake]

one thought about the fish tank, I was watching a podcast interview with Dana K White and she talks about only having the amount of stuff you can personally handle maintenance on in your home. I wonder if it's most about that for you vs. adhd, that even though it'd be cool it's just over the line of what you have time and desire to maintain, and that's ok!

[@ahoardersheart]

Yesss! With my ADHD I don’t know what my maintenance threshold would even be bc to me, there are infinite possibilities! I could try and create one to at least have an idea and go through there!! Thank you so much for sharing 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@loiswessel5823]

Have you thought about taking photos of the sentimental stuff and writing your memories about that object next to it in your memory notebook?

[@kellylockwood9529]

That’s an Interesting idea

[@ahoardersheart]

I definitely take pictures but never thought of the notebook!! Great idea, I really love it!!

[@pyrobunnymaniac]

Been a while since I commented, but always love your decluttering videos & victories. This one was huge & can't wait (if you decide) to see a basement update even w/the churned stuff.

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much!!! So good to hear from you!!!! I keep forgetting to do a Basement update, I need to get on the ball for that lol 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@kalokater]

Hi miss heart, your videos are so helpful. Just one small information: you are such an animal lover so i am sure you might like to know that that fish Tank is really tiny for most fish. It may stem from a Time where less was known about the memory capacity of fish and their needs. So when you do research on fish before buying them you may end up purchasing a larger tank. If so maybe the glass of the old one can be crafted into something else with your talents and craft stash. ❤

[@Stefunny82]

That pile was Pepper approved! ❤

[@ahoardersheart]

lol!!!! It sure was!!!

[@eyrunsigrunardottir6977]

It is so nice to see your progress and how well you are doing!

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much my friend 🦄💜🌟

[@HolographicCathawk]

I feel like you probably don't want to do another tour video of the basement because you will finish this summer.. ..but I secretly want one.

[@clambysaurus]

So satisfying to get all those churned things organised into their rightful place! P.s. love your nails ♡

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much my friend 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@roosmarijnlogtenberg605]

I feel like you would be an amazing foster parent

[@keelienne]

My aha-thought was „Just because I recognize it doesn’t mean I have to keep it“. That made the difference for me, and I could let go of so many things I just had because I had them for a long time already 😅 Think it’s the same for you with that clothes?

[@ahoardersheart]

I absolutely love that!!! Yes, it’s very similar like that to the clothes!!

[@colettenewell4634]

What a great video. Very motivating.

[@kellyharris4639]

Hoping to drag out another bag this afternoon from my basement. I put one out yesterday.

[@shirleyadkins4254]

Great job

[@caramoonlynn]

My son and daughter in law came to help me in the basement. I don't have much garbage down there, just a lot of good stuff. They stacked everything really carefully. I couldn't be down there while they worked. It triggered my anxiety, so I stayed upstairs and cleaned and checked on them every 47 minutes. They want to organize it so we can finish the basement! Yay!

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you sharing your story with us 🙏🏼❤️ I absolutely understand how you feel anxiety when they are organizing your things! That is the best decision to be upstairs as they do it. I am so incredibly proud of your progress and how self aware you are 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@brg2743]

Little by little it is changing your basement for the better! Yay!

[@ahoardersheart]

Yes it is!!! My favorite saying is “a journey of thousand miles starts with one step!”

[@sharpiesarecool814]

@@ahoardersheart that's a good quote!

[@sherrygantt2158]

Great video. You are doing amazing.

[@jeannebowes2898]

Greater joys await! ❤

[@GenRN]

I haven’t watched in awhile but when I am ready to do housework I always come back. You look absolutely beautiful and love your natural look. You speak from the heart and appreciate your vulnerability and honesty so much! Keep it up! I have 6 aquariums ;). They are my sanity.

[@ahoardersheart]

Awe, thank you for your sweet encouraging message!!! That means so much to my heart 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼 I will be cheering you on as you do your housework!!!!

[@veganryori]

Omg the lime green of the 00s/10s!

[@ritavasnanigurbani6063]

In thus episode you did a hood job Ms Heart🎉🎉 I'm also trying to get my house on track

[@ikrobiee]

The real challenge I find it getting the decluttered items out of the house.

[@charishurt1768]

Fantastic job beautiful lady congratulations so proud of you💜 🦄

[@elizaklein1611]

Don't let nostalgia for the past take you away from the present...

[@noransakr2870]

You have a china cabinet in the garage i hope you can declutter enough that you'd have an empty wall to place it in, and display your china and my little pony collections. Also if you could get your husband to kumary his stuff like put 10 bins out and try to condense them and when you do. disagnate to him only black bins and maybe bright green, and light blue and purple bins for the boys artwork and baby stuff

[@cosmeohana2376]

You are on 🔥

[@amystewart9228]

Love it

[@LorisLaboratory]

Thank you for all the inspiration! :) Often you've said that you're not ready to let go of certain things yet like baby items, but how do you differentiate between items you feel like you "should" eventually get rid of but arent there yet, vs. items you actively want to keep? (like your own childhood items, my little ponies etc). :)

[@allalala9916]

Trauma versus happy memories possibly?

[@ahoardersheart]

I made a decision based on my emotional internal scale. If the item is registering at a 1-3 (very low emotional attachment) I let it go immediately! If it registers at a 8-10 (very high emotional attachment) it goes immediately back in the bin. Anything between a 4-7, I’ll check in with myself and see if I’m ready to let it go!! Over time, I found that things I was attached to, have lost their emotional story too!

[@LorisLaboratory]

@@ahoardersheart Thank you! ❤️🙏

[@croccatcher]

So proud of you ❤

[@isabellerininger6249]

Boy, that’s the truth-I save things as trophies or mile markers for experiences, like proof I did something/traveled to that place/experienced that thing. My memory is awful, I forget so much that I need these things to remember the story of my life.😭 photos don’t work for that because they are all digital now and I constantly worry that story of our family is one wrong click or one “oopsie” away from nonexistance…. Holding the item brings it all back.

[@ahoardersheart]

I feel EXACTLY the same way!! Digital pictures make me nervous bc I have lost pictures from our past!! I’m trying to be better and make sure I print them out and create albums!! It takes time but it does self soothe my nervous system 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@debratakagawa4764]

Very nice pile of things to let go. Does hubby go through his things periodically or is he less enthusiastic about it?

[@heiditiredmommyartist4423]

Curious how old your kids are now? I'm in the same boat with you on everything!!!!

[@vvvv-h8m]

To get rid of items quickly my neighbor was having a yard sale but nothing was for sale is was free She didn't advertise it she waited for whom came once it was over whatever was left over she took it to a second hand store Please DON"T waste your energy! you are wasting time by not enjoy the time NOW with the age your boys that are growing up NOW fast and you are missing it thinking about back then memories of toys and clothes Please move forward if needed take photos of those toys/clothes and donate them! I'm truly sorry you had miscarriages! Keeping toys or clothes might make it harder to move forward? Curious if this is similar to people that loose a loved one and hoard all their items? I too held onto my dads jacket for 20 years thinking if I donated it it meant I didn't love him. I finally donated it and don't feel like a bad daughter I felt like I just released him into heaven sounds silly but that is how I feel

[@IceCreamHoldingFee]

Ok, listen, Mrs. Heart we love you, and so we tell you it's really time to just stop churning the hoard. It's a matter of distraction, deferred decisions, but also secretly, still not wanting to let things go, even after you've made a decision with it. Apply your good ADHD strategy "don't put it down, put it away". At this point, only touch the object once, and make a decision on that ONE object (keep, donate, trash...there are ONLY 3 decisions). If donate, donate it TODAY. If trash, trash it TODAY. If keep, then find a proper home for it and put it where it belongs TODAY. Then, rinse and repeat this process until you get decision fatigue (which happens after about 200 decisions, could be less for you), then fully stop for TODAY. But at the end of the session, there should be a box delivered to a donation centre TODAY, and a trash bag/recycling bin full of garbage/ recycling ready in the garage for garbage day TODAY, and the remainder bin with keep items put in their permanent home TODAY. Trust me, the you tomorrow will thank the you TODAY for making a proper and complete decisions with fully completed action steps on objects YESTERDAY. Also, I'd hate to say it but think it's time to stop with the yard sales FOR NOW. I know you love doing them and raising money to give to charity but you could just as easily give the bins and bins and bins of yard sale items you're saving to the charity to raise money for themselves with the same objects which will free up your own time and head space TODAY. Holding onto bins waiting for a yard sale 6 months from now is just another deferred decision which should be made TODAY. It is still a form of "churning the hoard". If you can't give it away TODAY (like on your town's giving page), it belongs at a donation centre TODAY, not in your basement, and not saved for a yard sale. Your point of power is always the choice you make in the NOW. Said with love 💜

[@Rachel-ul8et]

So did you set up, churn or declutter the fish tank?

[@emilykravish3888]

You gotta stop giving yourself more projects and work to do-you have enough to do already girl 😂 I feel stressed out for you

[@lucyrademakers4188]

❤❤❤❤❤😊

[@tngirlz4622]

Woo hoo, way to go taking baby steps with the basement! 🥳👏👏👏🦄 This May be a bad idea because you already have many projects for ‘future you’ to do, but if you have clothes you love because your sons liked the print, it reminds you a happy times, etc, could you save them with craft supplies and use them when you need fabric for crafts? You might be able to make cushions for your basement family room out of old clothes, for example. Then you keep the memory, but not the item of clothing.

[@ahoardersheart]

Oh I absolutely love that idea!!!! I do want to incorporate more DIY Craft videos since I’m passionate about it!!! 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@joannevenz5045]

Your husband is going to have alot to go through when it’s his turn.

[@jessicaquiroz7178]

For baby stuff and clothes that didn’t get sold in the yard sale, need to go to Goodwill now. You have already made the decision to get rid of it, you just need to follow through

[@suzannerockall4030]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@andeebee2530]

Hold on to the memories, let go of the things.

[@sandradisclafani6725]

❤️👍

[@kellylockwood9529]

You shouldn’t store records flat. They need to stand up or the ridges will flatten out.

[@ap85jp87]

This is going to sound like judgement, but.... The baby toys belong to your boys - let them declutter the items, they don't belong to you! When you talk about churning are you saying you aren't doing what you show us you are going to do? Give yourself a time frame - if you don't deal with it by that date - donate it! If you have clothes in a bin in the basement, you aren't wearing them, get rid of them! You are an amazing woman, keep it up!!!

[@katjabohm7731]

im hoping not to overstep here but did you guys ever considered adoption or foster care? also about the aquarium, how about you let the boys decide and put it together. i am sure they gonna built it just fine and ask google or you two if seccesary.

[@jordanvejtasa446]

I think you should keep the baby stuff that you are attached to. My mom kept all of our favorite toys, jumpers, high chairs, etc and it has been so nice since I had my baby! She has stuff for grandmas house and she gets to watch a baby use all of those items again 💕 not everything needs to be decluttered. You are doing fantastic

[@vvvv-h8m]

Regarding high chairs possibly other items in this field countries have laws against certain dates/years due to accidents in the past. Please research before putting a child in a older item?

[@jordanvejtasa446]

@@vvvv-h8m a high chair? They just sit in it to eat food lol Car seats shouldn’t be kept but a high chair could be used for forty years if you take care of it

[@vvvv-h8m]

@@jordanvejtasa446 Please remember that some high chairs don't have belts and the sitting area might have space for the child to slide down onto the floor?

[@bettinalykke5151]

please dont put any fish in that tank. It is only appropriate for shrimps and snails. Research what species of fish you want and then buy the right size aquarium for them. The only place this tank belongs is in the trash, it is an atrocity.

[@AmyWhoLovesFlowers]

it must feel SO good finding your treasures (for now) and making them orderly. I am not sure that this is "churning." I think that is unnecessarily negative sounding. 😅 I think you are MACRO-organizing in first passes and need to go through things more times to MICRO-organize. That is your style! So don't be too hard on yourself! I don't even think you are really ADHD. Yes, you are artsy & creative, you are energetic & social, you have a cute cat, you are surrounded by things and reminders and things to do ~ but it is normal to be distracted by all that! Honestly, it would be weirder to be mono-focused! (imho ☺️). So, please don't be too hard on yourself!! 💗 Maybe try thinking of this whole decluttering adventure as dealing with a season of your life ~ and not a diagnosis. It may lighten your feelings and make the whole process easier for you! And someone else's terms (like churning) may not be what is happening at all if you look at it from a different perspective (a micro-organizing stage)! 🤗🛍️🗃️ The basement is sure looking good! I know that is your goal, but if you need a change, I would love to see videos on the Laundry and your Make-up rooms. I feel so invested in those, too! I love your make-up area 💅🏼! 💛💐