HUGE Basement DeClutter | How to overcome Decision Making Paralysis

On this episode we’re going to be talking about how to overcome Decision Making Paralysis. DMP is when you’re so fearful of making the wrong decision, that you make no decision at all. And I was stuck in that endless cycle as a Level 4 Hoarder. To finally break that cycle, I had to go through these three steps:
1). Self Awareness, I’m a human with emotional responses to events.
2). I can control the thoughts that follow an emotional response.
3). By controlling those thoughts, I prevented my emotions from highjacking my behaviors.
#home #mentalhealth #motivation

[@samwatts3378]

I would love to see a tour of the whole basement so we can really see the progress ❤

[@ahoardersheart]

Yesss!! I’m going to record one very soon!! I keep saying, “ohhhh, I wanna clean this out first bc the back will really look cleared out!!” Lol I just need to do it 🤣🙏🏼❤️🦄✨

[@katia.luna213]

Yes on a new basement tour! Yay on a yard sale! Hugs for Miss Pepper 😺

[@ahoardersheart]

Yesssss!!! Pray we have good weather next Saturday ❤️🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼❤️ lol Aiming to host it on 9/23!

[@kaycee625]

You have more insight into the mental and emotional aspects of hoarding than anyone I’ve watched on KZbin. I’d love to see you write a book. In the time that I’ve watched you, you’ve made sense of so many of my actions, reactions and inactions regarding belongings and clutter. Thank you so much.

[@ahoardersheart]

Oh my dear friend, you made my heart so so happy ❤️🙏🏼❤️ I just love your messages, they keep me motivated to keep going and be in my truth with my struggles in hoarding disorder 🙏🏼🦄💜🌟

[@alanbirkner1958]

September 2023. Another trip to Goodwill today. A bag is ready for one food pantry, and a bag for the library. Tina, Al's wife

[@MsArtistwannabe]

Wow! The consistency and discipline you have with the basement is really paying off. I’m so happy for you.

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you my friend 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼 Your loving & encouraging messages is also a huge motivation too! When someone believes in you, you feel like you can accomplish anything 💜🦄🌟

[@heatherlancaster7063]

Thanks @ahoardersheart for the hope encouragement and healing without shame! I enjoy these videos and am motivated to keep trying 🎉 to dig myself outta these piles physically and emotionally. I also lost my cat named Moon (he resembles your lil kitty) and it brings me joy to see kitty passin through

[@heatherlancaster7063]

@@ahoardersheart bless you

[@alisonodonnell7005]

yard saaaaaaale! can't wait

[@-Stella-Maris-]

Can I say I'm just so proud of you? There have been hoarders in my family. You have such compassion and depth of insight into the whole process. Thank you for taking the time to help others who want to work through this challenging journey. ❤

[@gloria7324]

WOW! What an epic declutter! You and the boys and Ms. Pepper are doing such amazing work, so inspiring ❤️

[@ahoardersheart]

Thank you so much my friend 🙏🏼💗✨ Your sweet message means so much to my heart ❤️❤️

[@cat3crazy]

That was a lot of stuff! I tried to have a yard sale I earned so little that it wasn't worth it. I am slowly decluttering and donating the stuff. Perhaps when I get all the stuff out of my spare room and the shed, it will go better. There is so much.

[@kbal1451]

Some people like Ms Heart get other benefits from yard sales, they like seeing their stuff going to people who want it, it's a social/community thing for them, it's a teachable moment for children. For those reasons it's worth the time and effort to those people. I normally use my local facebook buy nothing group to pass things on or donate them to charity.

[@valeriekravette787]

I've been working on downsizing two storage spaces since April (four years after a major move) and your videos have helped me a great deal. I don't identify as a hoarder, but I do have my mother's Depression-era 'hold onto it" gene and you are the only person who does a deep dive into the emotional content of clutter and how to move through it. So glad to see that you've made so much progress over time. Thank you so much for the inspirational work that you do.

[@ahoardersheart]

Oh my dear friend, I am so incredibly proud of you 🎉🦄💜🌟🙏🏼 You are doing AMAZING and I’m so happy to declutter alongside you!!!

[@sherrygantt2158]

My husband and I are decluttering one room at a time. The first one, we turned it into a model tank room. He builds model tank kits. The second room. We are setting it up for a music room. Guitars, stereo all the cds. What we don't need and it is good. I am giving it to my sister for her yard sale. Thanks for your videos. Helping me get stuff done. Have a great weekend.

[@kell_checks_in]

I am a 63-year-old woman with no interest whatsoever in military history and I STILL want to go play in the model tank room. This is me practicing my "boom!" noises...

[@sherrygantt2158]

@kellbrigankellchecksin4248 😆🤣😂 Thank you for your fun reply. My husband has a big remote control tank. He told me he wanted to be cremated when he passed away. And, his ashes put in that big, heavy thing. 😆 🤣 I told him I would take them to our national guard, and they could fire him out their cannons.

[@ahoardersheart]

Your rooms sound AMAZING and I wish I could see them!!! I am so incredibly proud of both of you 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@sherrygantt2158]

@@ahoardersheart thank you.

[@ros8986]

a note on cash register receipts - I have heard they cannot be recycled because of the paper they are printed on (heat reactive NCR paper)

[@sansangaga8560]

Hi! So nice to see such a huge tossy tossy pile! Thank’s for encouraging us to declutter. It made me think I just sent a parcel to someone who bought me some ski shoes… one pair of item less in my house 😊

[@ahoardersheart]

Whoo Hoo!!!! You’re doing amazing my friend 🦄💜🌟🎉

[@debratakagawa4764]

That pile was huge!!!!!! It seems like the basement is getting pretty much cleaned out. About how much is done? I’ve guessed that it’s about 3/4 emptied out.

[@renfairegoddess]

I can't wait until you have your craft area set up. When you comedown the stairs, your Christmas cave is to the right. Right? Ok. Stand right at the Christmas cave and look directly in front of you (into the basement, not the cave). Directly in front is where Hubby's weight/exercise area should go. Past that, and to the back wall is where I want to put your craft area. That desk would be perfect to use there! I'd think you can use the changing table to hold supplies! The boys play area stays where it is, and maybe expand that area to hook up the TV to a gaming system, and if it's not a tossy-tossy you can use the recliner to sit on in front of the TV/for gaming. That leaves you with the last area to actually have as your long term storage!

[@extrememinimalism]

yes to repurposing the changing table! sentimental but in use everyday!

[@keelienne]

I agree! Miss heart keeps shoving it around the whole basement to avoid to make a decision on it, by now I really have to laugh everytime a glimpse of it appears in her video.. and it does almost everytime 😂 I think it will be very freeing for her to finally make a decision and repurpose it. And the partitions of the basement are absolutely logical and just the way I would divide the room 🙂

[@melissaweller3718]

I appreciate you showing us how you process the churned hoard-

[@moirallarian]

Thanks for the motivation to really decide. Greetings from Germany.❤

[@KimQ1425]

Yeay!!! One step closer, it’s looking great!!!!

[@flightlessphoenix77]

Yay! This fireplace will be completely clear in no time now! I'm really excited to see that.

[@ellenstam-mulder3002]

you did good girl. proud of you. big hug Ellen

[@josephdaly2015]

Omg the size of that pile is huge. Well done Miss Heart ❤️ and Miss Pepper 🐈 Your decluttering muscles 💪 are amazing and a credit to you. The space looks great. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇‍♀️👏👍💪💐🙏🐈🦄

[@ahoardersheart]

Ohhhh Miss Mary your messages are highlight of my week 😍❤️😍❤️ I just LOVE reading your encouragement 💜🦄🌟🙏🏼

[@bethstratton3391]

It’s nice you can see the fireplace again. I remember when you cleared that space before a couple of years back, but this time you’ve really pulled back the layers and decluttered far more. Excellent job Ms Heart.

[@sassyslsgrl]

Am using the "baby steps to make it a positive experience" and self acceptance to conquer agoraphobia and overall anxiety and fear right now...thank you so much for helping me find the missing pieces that are giving me real results after years being practically a shut in....have absolutely seen the thoughts taking control of emotions work❤❤❤❤

[@Eeeekamouse]

Pepper is looking forward to curling up by that fireplace!

[@barbarastillwell3521]

Could you do a panoramic view of what is left in the whole basement. I have been following you since the beginning. I guess I can't wait for you get to the zoning (craft area/memorabilia-move shelf from laundry room, party supplies/gift wrap center-use baby changing table for wrapping table with a small store for back to school and gift shopping. Baby toys-could go in areas that are not has easy to access (perhaps the attic/seasonal items could come down and placed near Christmas cave since you use them yearly) and redefining so you can begin to use the things you have decided to keep. Then things would have a permanent home making them easier to put away verses putting in a giant pile. You could put up a sign for each area or mark out the areas with masking tape against the wall any thing that does not fit your chosen categories could be put in an area to declutter and sort after the "big" zoning is complete. Since most boxes are labeled the whole family could help you.

[@ajenkinson3443]

I would love an episode where she draws the basement out onto a big piece of paper and then maps out what she wants in each area. As you say the family could then help move everything. I think her husband needs a section with his gym equipment and all of his sentimental stuff, which he might then declutter if he saw how much it all was. Then Ms Heart deserves a lovely crafting area by the Christmas cave. I would love for her to be able to fit all seasonal decor in that cave!

[@halfheartdead7149]

good job at starting on the desk!!! i remember what that area used to look like and you've made so much progress.

[@lucystrider728]

When I finally got all my clothes in one place and all my holiday decor in one place it dawned on me that I had way too many items that I never used but was storing. That helped me part with a lot of the extras, and I can find things now and they are easy to put away.

[@cremebrulee4759]

You are describing me and my struggles perfectly. The anxiety is just so horribly uncomfortable. It becomes unbearable sometimes. Thank you for sharing your journey. Your thought process is so helpful.

[@Vanessa-pm6qw]

I can't wait to see the finished process of your basement tour.

[@user-wl3yj9kj5u]

Big youtubers would recommend using those dishes that your mom gave you. That is the only way your kids will remember them with joy and would like to keep them when you die.

[@smithyrayner]

I have watched many of the same declutters that you watch. Most of them I have seen when they were well onto theor journey. I have watched you from the begining and whilst I don't have a family I feel I can really relate to you. It is your videos that I always watch and your videos that inspire me the most. Thankyou. X

[@user-jd9qw3om6o]

Your soft voice and kind words are helping others. A kind suggestion any toys that are old, before letting go see if you can sell it for a good amount of money some of those items maybe collector items. Continue your journey to having a organized basement

[@Peanut11111]

Pepper doing a great job. 😂😂😂

[@donnaseeton1473]

You’ve come so far since the first episode I watched. Congrats on your progress!!!

[@lindamusser7370]

I'm so glad you posted. I look forward to your videos.

[@jackiew.9470]

Do you have a KZbin bin? You can put your microphones in there so you can keep track of them. Also, I sent your video to my friend who is struggling ❤

[@beckiblack4651]

Yay on the much bigger tossy tossy piles, both last week and this week! Great job!

[@ChristianAnneSmith]

I look forward to seeing these Friday videos after work each week. Part of my Friday celebration!

[@jeno264]

This is an extraordinary insight into how to manage hoarding disorder! 💖💖 I am so thankful for you to share this! 💖💖

[@imbluedubbadee]

I love that the captions say The Horde instead of the hoard 😂 time to face the Orcs of Overwhelm, huzzah!

[@allisonsings]

I am not a hoarder, but I love love love watching your videos. My dad's parents were hoarders, and he has the same tendencies. I've watched it hurt my parents' marriage. But I appreciate all your dialogue. It's helped me understand my dad more and have more compassion for him. Thank you, Miss Heart! Keep up all your amazing work!

[@ThKiwi]

Wow! That pile at the end is impressive! Fingers crossed that everything works out for a yard sale next weekend! ❤❤

[@barbarap6851]

Fantastic! That's a lot gone!!

[@jenniferwright8355]

That was a lot! How awesome!

[@melanietrester]

Hello from Germany,hi Miss Heart. Big hug for pepper. Good Job. Think one more months and you are ready with the basement🎉. Be Safe

[@youandmeandmultiplescleros402]

Great progress today - congratulations!!

[@IceCreamHoldingFee]

Good job, Mrs. Heart. 💜 Love your tossy tossy pile!

[@nancykaplan7163]

fingers crossed that pile leaves and does not get rechurned. chuckled when i saw the charter club boxes of dishes. I have a lovely deep glass bowl. In 40+ years i have used it 10 times. it is still in its packaging. each tine i use ut afterward it gets repacked . it won't fit in the china cabinet, so it has to go in the storage . But i can't let it go. so funny. the value is in the usage an. it it hardly fine crystal.

[@xinmim3135]

Miss Pepper is so cute 😍 You did a really good job! 💕🦄Do not be to harsh with yourself. The aim of the video is just perfect. You got this, that nothing has to be perfect while decluttering. 💕🦄🦄🦄🦄

[@ahoardersheart]

Absolutely my friend, I just LOVE your gentle encouragement that helps so many of us 🙏🏼🦄💜😅

[@HannahRainbow88]

Great job Ms. Heart! 💗 Thanks for another lovely video with the explanations behind it 👏🤩

[@catherineferrari7710]

You're doing amazing!!! So proud of you.

[@sharmanszkody1177]

Thank you so much for this encouraging guide to decluttering with a positive attitude.

[@pamelafreeman4548]

Slowly but surely you have made great strides! I am doing the same.😊

[@ahoardersheart]

Whoo Hoo!!!! Please I am cheering you on every step of the way!!! You got this 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼

[@summerbaby4600]

I just watched your session on Get Organized HQ. Wow, it was such a great interview. I was so moved by your emotions and strength. Good job, Miss. Heart❤

[@ahoardersheart]

Awe!!! Thank you so so much my dear friend!!! Your sweet made my heart so happy 🦄💜🌟🙏🏼💕

[@thehoardedgrotto8521]

Another great video where you keep it real. You are such an inspiration.

[@connieverbeck1110]

Wonderful. I am so amazed at how quickly you make decisions!!! You go girl!!

[@myrnahouston5773]

Thank you for the inspiration!

[@lakbaydiva]

Love me a good hoarders heart Friday video! You're doing amazing. 💖

[@eileenryan4687]

Thanks for the video!

[@Ann-vr1qr]

Awesome job! Always enjoy your content! 💖

[@JustNatasha93]

HUGE tossy pile! Great job!

[@pyrobunnymaniac]

Yaaay!! I LOVE your uploads & look forward to it. I am not bothered at all that the table wasn't wiped clear, because you still put in work (& a lot at that!). Like you said, not being defeated is a victory in itself. Excited to see the rest get tackled when you get there & agree with the basement tour. Also Manager Pepper is doing a great job as well XD Thank you for all the awesome work you're doing!

[@The_Joy_Finder]

And the churned are getting decided on instead of churned again. Victory.

[@michellerobillard4067]

My cat Whiskers looks like your cat pepper but with more white on her face and they are about the same size it looks like so i think that's cool . I remember when you use to wear sun glasses and keep your phone over your face you've came a long way and I'm proud of you and I'm happy your doing such a great job keep it up girl and I'll see you and pepper in your next video

[@susanmunoz7688]

I missed you today on Laura’s Organization and I was so looking forward to seeing you 😢

[@KelleeYouPersonalOracle]

It’s looking good!

[@kell_checks_in]

The progress you're making on eating this elephant is quite impressive. I think when you're not filming (copyright...) you should play the Indiana Jones theme music while you work!

[@amystewart9228]

I love love love watching you and once you’re done decluttering your house is always going to need a little bit of a touchup and then you can start showing us crafts. I’m excited.

[@julieparham462]

I'm always impressed by your dedication and commitment to working on this space! So proud of you and how you make more progress on your goal each week. You are an inspiration to us all! ❤

[@croccatcher]

Brilliant job so proud of you

[@ronda176]

It’s incredible how far you’ve come! You have made incredible progress!! I really enjoyed watching your session at the Get Organized HQ summit.

[@tngirlz4622]

WOW, fantastic work! 👏👏👏 So impressive that you keep putting in the time week after week and are making SO MUCH PROGRESS!🥳🏅🥂

[@rache8425]

Hi from a new subscriber! This is so helpful - thanks for sharing.😊 And Miss Pepper is adorable!

[@minimalzebra]

Proud of you friend🥰

[@angelharmon2465]

I am so proud of your self awareness keep inspiring ❤

[@amara560]

So much space! I hope your nervous system is still keeping calm with all of the space created. I know that was a struggle before. An update on that in one of your videos would be lovely❤

[@rg-mi5hh]

Good job!

[@tabbycat4606]

Did you see the 10 dollar bill in the box? Great job as always.

[@donnakhammer1449]

Yeah....I wondered too if she through away the cash.

[@danireilly5697]

I think it's toy money😊

[@rebeckamattisson5083]

Yay, this was huge!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@doriann3826]

Yay!

[@AllTheMiniThings]

I've been watching your videos for a while now and they've helped me so much to get started on my own home but also understanding my hoarding disorder. I really love the way you explain everything. Do you happen to have a book list of resources you'd recommend?

[@francinehogsett3065]

Wow you did great 😊❤️

[@janeorr3074]

I so remember the churned items, your purple case first in the laundry room, from your teenage, college years, you did let the old fingernail polish go. I am sure you put it with the sentimental. The chair cushion from your first apartment (?) glad you could let it go. Happy you found a microphone (goes in your you tube box in the living room). No way you could have let go of that much stuff in the beginning because you could not have gotten through that much stuff, You are such an inspiration!!!! I can't help but notice the baby changing table. It's too painful for words when the child we wanted isn't here. Perhaps consider repurposing it for Miss Pepper. Perhaps she could have a stool or something so she could get to the top and hang out in a bed with cat toys on the other shelves? Just a thought. Cat treats on another shelf contained in some of the storage containers you found today? So glad Hubby removed the insulation. I thought it might be your first "tossy tossy". Miss Pepper really likes the fireplace. Thank you for sharing your journey!

[@kadrikiis8654]

i did deccludering and now I don't have anything in my room to throw away and I don't buy things that I should throw away.

[@suzannerockall4030]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jessicaquiroz7178]

I try to fight through the emotion and move on.

[@janeorr3074]

Remember those walls in your hall you showed us for your first whole house tour? Consider a collection of framed pictures of past pets. Especially if you can find one in your Father's chair. Also, they make plate hangers so you can display your Mother's China, vertically on those walls, if you want, just some thoughts. So happy you are the place to let go of the Star Wars basketball hoop. Perhaps a much younger child, from your boys current age, will enjoy it. Plastic bags for your yard sales...Brilliant idea!!!!

[@tgayer1]

That’s amazing! 💕 💪😄. Dod everything in this tossy tossy pile get put away (trash, recycling, etc.) since your session got interrupted?

[@judenebaer9997]

❤😊

[@The_Joy_Finder]

We know that Mel is not polluting the oceans. All her bags are in the basement. 🤭 (Poking gently after I came across my bag of bags and made the same joke)

[@lucyrademakers4188]

❤❤❤😊

[@extrememinimalism]

Is that a potential craft table space I see????? :D

[@porcelina956]

I hope you took the money out 😊

[@charishurt1768]

Huge tossy pile congratulations fantastic job beautiful lady 💜🦄

[@RadCenter]

I don't usually recommend that people keep things they've decided to discard, but if I were you, I would keep the wooden coat hangers for hanging winter coats. 🙂

[@emilyprice3264]

Please film and share your yardsale ( if you want 😊)

[@cindybaldwin8749]

Was that real cash 💵 in the bottom of one of those boxes that was going to get recycled? I hope you pulled that out first! 😘🧸

[@emmcguire94]

Did you make decision about the plants your mum gave you?

[@The_Joy_Finder]

Pokemon cards!

[@jennifersershen927]

The China should be stored upstairs so you can use for your holidays and company. It will get damaged in a paper box. Great work