My Stress Free Clear Out Strategy for Hoarded Homes

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

Are you clearing out a hoarded home? What challenges are you facing?

[@Kewljean]

Im clearing out MY home. First I want to say that I do not save trash per se, no insects, no animals and no rotting food (but yes, had cases of expired canned goods...and drinks...now tossed out!) My challenge is that so much stuff is either brand spanking new or only used once and put back in the box. The guilt sometimes parralyzes me. So guilt and paralysis is my challenge.

[@kelgreen99]

Not sure where to begin. I start but then give up after a while. I have small items on top of a large item. How do you get to the big item if there are things on the big item?

[@heathermccarty2141]

Helping my mother-in-law. She believes that she has to touch everything before it leaves the house. We have cleaned certain areas a number of times only to find it back as it was before. Also the anger and upset if we move some still usable things to another area or get rid of something that isn't usable. It is draining.

[@ChonysSmile]

I am currently working on decluttering my home which has become almost hoarder levels of piles. I struggle with over valuing items, or believe they will become useful as well as struggle with what some decluttering advisers call "my fantasy self" I believe once the house is under control that I'll spend more time doing the things that I hold onto supplies for, however the lack of space prevents me from completing or sometimes even starting projects which adds to the clutter. My health, physical ability, lack of support people, focus, childrens needs, and time to spend on this decluttering project also are barriers for my success.

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

Thats a very common problem, it's a catch 22. Last time I moved I gave away lots of hobby stuff, then picked some things back up years later. It was less stressful to have a light move than to repurchase supplies 😁

[@dawnlackey3324]

I totally can relate.

[@luisasterioquerubin6829]

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. 4:30

[@ShirleyM_Anne]

I have lived next door to a hoarder for 14 years. It used to bother me until I discovered Konmari and decided to work on my own mess first... So, for the last 4 years I have gone from extremely cluttered to almost a minimalist... not quite to the "click point," as Konmari likes to say... but I can see the "light at the end of the tunnel!" Thanks for the encouragement!

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

Awesome!

[@dawnlackey3324]

What is konmari

[@Jasmine-in-my-mind]

@@dawnlackey3324 It's a method from a book by Marie Kondo, called "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up." There is also a Netflix series called "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" that I found very inspiring to watch.

[@cococgb5389]

God Bless you Katherine! Subscribed .. I am faced with quite the challenge.. omg ! my boyfriend/ partner has left a huge mess in a condo i am moving into ( thank goodness he will be living around the corner ) looks like I will become a pro out of necessity ! ♥️🕊💪🙏🏻

[@timothypatrick9476]

GOD BLESS YOU!!!! My father in law passed away and my poor wife is overwhelmed. I am going to have her check out your channel.

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

That is the primary time folks often have to face this stuff and it is totally overwhelming! I wish her well 🙏

[@danielkoher1944]

Having had to deal with four such ‘mentally overwhelmed’ challenges. It’s a living nightmare. The exact reason why everyone in advancing years. Should give sentimental items to family or friends that have expressed interest. Wanted to know stories about the piece and how you felt and acquired it. Nothing lasts forever and having been robbed several times. I can honestly attest to parting with material belongings while you’re still competent.

[@lukelucy1980]

Thank You, I hope that you will keep this channel going,

[@3togetready]

Thanks for this!

[@RileyByrdFlock]

Yes, but how do you deal with someone who decides everything is valuable?

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

Unfortunately we can only help those who accept our help. I help clients get appraisals and that is sometimes a reality check. But if they have unrealistic expectations it could just be an excuse to not let go... myspacematters.com/wont-get-rid-of-anything/

[@RileyByrdFlock]

@@KatherineLawrenceCPO thank you! I appreciate your insight. 😊

[@dawnlackey3324]

I live with my fiance and he does cleanouts on homes and brings a bunch home. Very nice stuff but we live in a 2 bedroom trailer and he has packed both rooms and now the other parts of the trailer as well. I am so very overwhelmed and just want to throw it all away. I need help please

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

Oh no! That sounds like a very cramped space! I wish there was space for his business/hobby outside the home (barn, garage, shed?) or just say "no"... does not sound like a sustainable practice and it will be very difficult to clean your home ... or relax 😥

[@Bomber411]

Plan a big sale. Tell him he must choose what is being sold and what is being kept. The stuff you're keeping can go in your bedroom for now, (there will be a limit of space there), stuff you're selling in the other room, so when you're ready to sell, have the sale, then whatever doesn't sell, donate it ALL right away. Then you're left with that empty room to move the stuff you're keeping into.

[@paulavinci6158]

I would imagine the reason he brought it home is because he saw value in it. So, fill those rooms with wall the wall shelves (sturdy, but not permanent) get some large plastic containers label them A to Z, then talk a couple of real good photos of each item before listing them ONLINE, there is Market Place, Ebay, Amazon, a ton of place to sell the stuff. Don't forget to keep an index card or a journal with the info if the price you listed the item for and which bin you put it in. You can even Number the bins. I suggest bins because you can fit more items on the shelves that way. You can possibly buy the shelves cheap on market place. Good luck.

[@nessknows.]

My boyfriend had me move in and I don’t even know where to start with how messy his house is. It’s so overwhelming and frustrating that I get paralyzed. I cleaned for several hours one day and it looked like I did NOTHING and I was so discouraged that I don’t want to even try to do anything else

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

Oh no! I will tell you (as someone who has lived with collectors and hoarders) you have to carve out a clean neat space just for yourself (I have a zero clutter tolerance in my office and the kitchen) and give your partner a space for them to be as messy and cluttered as they wish (and that you do not clean or organize). It's all about boundaries! Good luck!!

[@cherylcreates1306]

We just returned from clearing out my mom's home, not yet finished. The problem I had was letters and cards. We have four generations of every card and letter ever sent, from the early 1900s to present day. Boxes and boxes. I could shred yhe financial records, but the personal correspondence is stopping me in my tracks.

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

Yep, been there! It's really tough with the sentimental stuff. Sometimes I can get folks to let go of cards if they don't remember who it's from (or not signed), but still very time consuming...

[@tumblingrosesstudio]

Donate to a library or university or historical society or museum!

[@edennis8578]

@@tumblingrosesstudio The chances are that they aren't going to want it, either, unless the letter writer or recipient are historically important. I used to work in a library; the chances are, that stuff is still going to end up in the dumpster.

[@dc9631]

Ouch that's tough. If you are having a hard time letting them go you could scan them or take pictures of them. Which is also time consuming. Maybe keep a handful upto a dozen of the really important ones. Best of luck. I take pictures of items that I have a hard time letting go of, especially things from my childhood. Somthing that I learned recently is that I don't have to keep every gift that I'm given....ohhh so difficult for me.

[@dotdashdotdash]

Might be worth taking photos of the correspondence and only keeping the top ten most important items, then burning the rest.

[@danielkoher1944]

Ummm🧐 Hell~O! It is much easier to clear and clean anything that belongs to someone else. The owner has emotional attachment tied to these pieces. Even litter and debris. As it’s a true addiction. I always have to wonder how many of the shows cause further descension amongst families. As the true process needs full concentration and dedicated commitment to psychologically change.

[@KatherineLawrenceCPO]

Yes, a psychological change completely changes how someone relates to the things in their homes. Otherwise family members either need to step away for their own mental health or wait until the person is removed from the area...