Answering Your Questions | Q&A with a Child of a Hoarder

Hello! You've asked and I've answered.
Thank you all for asking such wonderful questions and for being patient!
I tried to answer these to the best of my ability... this video was an hour long at first so I cut it down a lot haha.
If there is any topic you want to further talk about in more depth just put it in the comments and I can film a separate video on it.
Let me know what you all want to see next!
Sending you all my love.
Until next time,
G 💕
Chapters
0:00 - 0:14 Intro
0:15 - 3:38 Facts About Me
3:39 - 7:50 Childhood in Relation to Hoarding
7:51 - 13:03 Helping a Hoarder/Hypotheticals
13:04 - 14:42 Relationship with my Parent
14:43 - 17:31 Therapy
17:32- 20:31 My Space & Mess
20:32 - 25:14 My KZbin / Opening Up
25:15 - 26:31 Wilderness Program
26:32 - 27:30 My Questions to You & Thank You!

[@genevievekelly4998]

At least you got to help your parent in their life time ,when you reflect back in later years you will realize it was an amazing accomplishment against all the odds,regardless if they go backwards ,

[@gaylakay4132]

Genevieve, hello! You are absolutely right, it was a blessing I could help them when I did. Thank you for your consistent support, so glad to see you here in these comments 💕

[@jeannecorbett7326]

I can feel your connection with your viewers. Your caring nature definitely comes through. Not everyone has that ability so you should definitely continue with your channel. You are using your experiences for a greater purpose, and that's a beautiful thing! Best of luck!

[@gaylakay4132]

This comment is such a gift Jeanne. Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement.

[@itscarolinemary]

I think a video on your open adoption would be really interesting and people who've been adopted could relate & find your content. 🧡💛 your ethnicity is super interesting!

[@gaylakay4132]

Love this idea... okay I'm gonna think on this more!

[@itscarolinemary]

If you ever do another Q&A or need topic ideas: was it very expensive hiring a service to help clean out you & your parent's home? any big takeaways or advice you'd give for people who want to help with their parent's home/de-clutter? I just have to say it takes a lot of strength to take the circumstance head on and solve it. thank you so much for sharing your personal experiences. hearing about your therapy, thought process and perspective at this point in your journey is also very beneficial!

[@gaylakay4132]

I could make a video about the clean up process... maybe dive into these questions you ask... such a great idea Caroline! 💕

[@MindfullyCat]

Wow I'm so glad I ran across your channel. This has always been an experience that is difficult for me to come to terms with, and in just a handful of videos, you've given me SO MANY insights about my own life. I want to commend you for all the work you've done in therapy!

[@misstaytt]

Hi Gayla!! Thank you for sharing!! I found this video very insightful and I love this supportive community that you have created here on KZbin💞!!

[@gaylakay4132]

Misstaytt!!! Oh my gosh, I'm so glad. Thank you for asking such wonderful questions and for co-creating this safe community with me. 💕

[@aleanzures1162]

Your cat is so cute, and I've been loving your videos. Sending love your way 💕

[@gaylakay4132]

thank you so SO much for watching and for you love! (my cat thanks you as well hehehe 🤭❣️ 🐈‍⬛ )

[@pm8401]

Hello Gayla, thank you so much for answering my questions! I can totally imagine you as an actress, as you have such a wonderful presence and charisma. The favorite car from 1996 was funny. To answer your questions: 1) I am from various European countries but currently in California. 2) Favorite animal right now is an opossum, as there is one in the bushes nearby and I keep trying to spot him. 3) Favorite comfort food is a veggie burger. Love your videos, Heidi :)

[@gaylakay4132]

Heidi !! Thank you so much for that encouraging compliment and for answering my questions! I love opossums, they are so cute. Veggie burgers are sooooo yummy. Love your answers Heidi. Sending love to you in Cali 💕

[@pm8401]

@@gaylakay4132 ❤

[@dcabral00]

Hi beautiful lady. Always a pleasure to find your videos. My favorite movie right now is Disney Soul (2020). I highly recommend it.

[@gaylakay4132]

Hello D ! I LOVE that movie. It is so beautiful.

[@gloriastroedecke2717]

Thank you for this. I love getting to know you better.I am very interested in knowing more about the wilderness program experiences. Did you learn any "survival" skills such as foraging or creating shelter in a prolonged exposure to the elements scenario? I am excited that one of your interests is Tarot and Oracle cards. Mine as well in addition to Astrological Natal charts as a tool for healing and leading about strengths and weaknesses. I color in adult color books to relieve anxiety and tension. My other creative outlet is crochet. I have two animals I feel best represent me. They are nearly complete opposites. Turtles, a reptile, because they are slow and deliberate, but mostly because of them being self contained. They other animal is the Otter,a mamal, because they are playful,affectionate,resourceful and thrive in pods which are their community. I live near NYC, about 20-35 minutes away. My favorite comfort food. Once again, how do you keep it to one item?!!!😄 My favorite beverage is hot tea. My favorite foods are macaroni and cheese, baked ziti and chicken ( Parm or Franchese).

[@gaylakay4132]

Hello Gloria! I love getting to know you all better too. These are great questions about the wilderness program, maybe I can do a mini story time video and talk about it. Astrological charts are so fun! What is your sun sign? I love coloring books, but I've never tried crochet, you have such relaxing hobbies. I've done embroidery and it is very therapeutic. Ah! I LOVE your answers to my questions, thank you for sharing! Turtles and otters are so different, I like that you chose two to express your duality. Haha mac and cheese and pasta, so yummy. Italians really knew what they were doing with their foods. 😋

[@justinfelt748]

Hi, Gayla and Happy Saturday!😊😊😊😊😊😎☀💙💙💙💙💙💙🌷💖💖💖💖💖💖🎇👍. Your cat is so cute and fluffy. Awwww!😍😍😍😍😍😍. Also, my favorite movie is "Fast and Furious 4." And they have my car on that movie, too! A 1989 Chevrolet Caprice.😀😍💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙👍

[@gaylakay4132]

Happy Sat. Justin! He is the cutest and most fluffy cat of all 🐱 💕 🤭 Oh thats awesome, what a cool car!

[@justinfelt748]

@@gaylakay4132 Thank you!😊😙💙💙💙💙💙💙🌷💖💖💖💖💖💖😊🎇👍. And speaking of cars, the movie "FAST 10" is coming out on Blu-ray, August 8th with the "Collector's Edition!"😊⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍. So, mark that calendar and get ready. It's gonna be a bumpy ride!😀😙💙💙💙💙💙💙🌷💖💖💖💖💖💖😊🎇👍

[@itscarolinemary]

yay, I turned on notifications and saw this immediately. 😍I've been wondering when you would upload as you said you were filming this recently! I added you on instagram, you listed it in one of your past videos!

[@gaylakay4132]

Carolineee!!! Eeeeek!! So so happy to see you here.

[@psychedelicsurfer]

I’m ur 777th subscriber :) 🎰 u seem really nice

[@gaylakay4132]

YAY! What a perfect number for the Psychedelic Surfer 🤭 Thank you for your support 💕

[@genevievekelly4998]

Awwww the cat is adorable ❤

[@gaylakay4132]

hehehe 🤭 he really is 🐱 💕

[@KENWAYED]

ahhh i like ghibli films, spectacular now, and whiplash too! i can see myself picking out of your list when i don't know what movies to watch :') i'm a sucker for titanic for sure, that's my #1. and i'd totally recommend for you: million dollar baby big eyes remember me hacksaw ridge speed unbreakable whisper of the heart short term 12 id also love to see an axe throwing vlog. that sounds so badass, anime moment fr gayla i just want to say thank you for your kind words and genuine empathy. i just came back from a vacation literally today, and it felt like a fantasy in itself. i already leave the house quite often, sleep over, drive and walk around endlessly, but to be completely outside from the house, miles away for a week with my partner was so incredibly fulfilling. but of course, coming back to the house or "reality" inevitably feels like a heavy source of dread i don't want to deal with after such an amazing time. i saw your video in my feed mid trip and i definitely looked forward to watching it today, and hearing you speak directly to me is like a hug that i didn't know i needed. i felt so frustrated a few hours ago but now i feel better, i feel a little more in control. too much self awareness can be painful sometimes, but you reminded me that there's a bright side to it. i aim to feel that joy again even while i am still in this situation and your support and candidness really really really means a lot to me i love that you mentioned watching movies endlessly on your computer and hiding in your room, because that is something i do often, hence the talk of favorite movies and stuff :0 and the axe throwing thing also makes me think of a new hobby i realized i liked and am kind of good at! i tried rock climbing for the first time during the trip and i picked it up fairly fast, and it's something i always wanted to try. i know i’ll keep getting out of the house to pursue that and it'll be something that gives me joy, a form of self care almost. while doing it, i felt in control. each hold, step, and grip was my choice, my decision, i felt each little high from each little victory or progression, just like when i'd get rid of a little section of hoard. i felt high, literally high up and hesitating jumping off even though i had a harness on, but i'm the one who got myself up there. and that feeling of accomplishment made going back down just a bit less scary. just like if i take care of myself and do what i can to manage my well-being while still with my hoarder parent, i will still be okay, strong and resilient even when i do have to face the hoard. i'll climb whatever building or mountain it takes to get you hatchets for that zombie apocalypse! i've always wanted to build a fort too when i was younger, but i had to just do that alone :(

[@gaylakay4132]

Kenwayed!!! Oh I'm so glad to see you here. Thank you for this movie list, it will help me greatly when I'm picking out something to watch with dinner haha! I'm so grateful you like this video... I had about 20mins of just speaking about your question (which you wrote beautifully and was completely relatable) but this video was SO long I had to cut some of it out. You speak on my empathy I share with you, but YOU, my friend, share so much with me too. I can really understand going on a magical trip and then having to go back to your parents home. I'm sending you a big hug! "too much self awareness can be painful sometimes" yes to this... absolutely. What is brilliant is you are using your self-awareness to do loving things for yourself. Like going on a wonderful trip with you partner, or rock climbing. What an AWESOME hobby!! Since you've shared this, and I'm sure your qualifications meet up to our standards, I officially accept you into the.... " Zombie Apocalypse Squad of the Self Aware Healers and Movies Lovers " (Z.A.S.S.A.H.M.L.) Change is coming for you, I know it. I believe that when we focus on taking care of ourselves, how we are feeling, and the love we have for others, clarity comes to us. We can then see clearly what steps to take, whether they be what rock to grab on our climb of the day, or what to do next to be able to move into our own beautiful home with a loving partner. You are already doing this!!! All my love to you Kenwayed (or should I refer to you as Climbwayed... jk) ( P.S. you are a wonderful writer! ) 💕

[@KENWAYED]

you are so sweet :') i admit things have felt pretty bad mentally over the past few weeks that i haven't been able to find myself back here in a good place or mindset to read your reply and face what i said when i was also in a low state. but now that i have found more clarity as you said, and now that i've seen this, i already feel much better. i really needed this right now. thank you for reminding me of what i've been struggling to remember for the past few weeks. the mere idea that "change is coming" for me is bringing me so much hope for my future even though the hoarding situation has gotten worse. thank you again for validating my feelings and connecting with me as well. and it is very wholesome/reassuring to know that you have had just as much to speak about with my question as i have had with your experiences and content. i almost felt like i was annoying or talking a bigtoo much at first and being confusing, but nah no need to fall for those negative thoughts :) and ahh that's so nice of you, thank you for calling me a wonderful writer :( i used to enjoy writing very much when i was younger but not as much anymore, but it sure has been a great way to let out how i feel when i'm stuck in my room whether it be through poetry or journaling. i cannot wait to fight zombies while being self aware and watching movies hehe. let me know if you end up watching any of those movies over some dinner, i'd love to hear your thoughts! i hope you are doing well and healthy these days gayla, truly ❤

[@gloriastroedecke2717]

Have you read Kimberly Rae Miller's book,Coming Clean? I have only just discovered her and it. I just placed an order for the book.

[@gaylakay4132]

No I haven't. I have to check it out!

[@toby-jeanne_almy]

Hello fellow child! Pro tips: when someone asks a question etc, repeat the question for your visually impared audience♡ then if you post something like your ancestry, give a summation for the visually impaired part of the audience ♡ :) 2. Keep on interacting with your audience, you're doing GREAT 3. It seems like children of hoards, when they do, come back and do an intervention once then walk away and make their peace with the mental illnesses that they cannot control in that caregiver. Keep on keeping on!

[@gaylakay4132]

Great tips! Thank you 💕