The following is pasted here directly from the public comments on my "Are You a Hoarder?" post, in which I explained some things about hoarding, talked about the new A&E show "Hoarders," and gave some resources for more information. "Misha," the commenter, tells us how watching the show was a wake-up call for her. It was so powerful that I had to just paste it here in its entirety and make sure you saw it, since it might be buried for those who don't read the comments section. From Misha:
I am so grateful for this show. I just recently started the process of decluttering my home. I started to realize I had a real problem after my last move, when my poor friends made the mistake of offering to help me move. It is now time to move again, and I will NOT do that to people I care about ever again. I had started reading books on the issue, which helped a bit. I watched the first episode of Hoarders, and I wanted to throw up. I saw what I would become in 10 years if I didn't make serious changes right now. It's so sad to see people hold on to stuff. It's just stuff! I listened to their reasoning behind saving each little item, and I'm disgusted, BUT I understand them. I have said the same things to myself a million times: "I may need this, I paid good money for this, it was expensive, it's still good, there's nothing wrong with it, it was on sale, I stocked up because it was on sale, it was a gift, i don't like it but i'll make myself use it" ;. As sad as these stories are on Hoarders, I understand each and every one of them on some level. It's all just a matter of degrees. This show has provided me a huge wake up call. I finally had the motivation to get rid of more, and I donated all the items to charity. As the boxes piled up in the car port to be taken to charity, I looked at these THINGS, these OBJECTS that I had allowed to control my life. I have never been so disgusted with myself in my entire life. I felt nauseous, and I couldn't breathe. I think that's what I needed. After multiple trips to charity, I feel like I've lost 50 lbs. Each of those items was a piece of emotional baggage that was holding me back from LIFE. I spent my life tending to THINGS instead of myself. I still have a ways to go, but at least I can breathe when I walk into my home. I keep telling myself, "NEVER again."
Misha, THANK YOU for sharing your experience with us. I believe that when we are brave enough to hold ourselves up and become open as examples, we shine a bright light to help many other people with our stories. We are so happy for you that you have a new lease on life! Readers, have you been inspired by the show, or by reading Misha's comment? Share your own story in our comments-- inspire others!
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Thank you Misha for expressing what I have also been through. I keep saying that I am not finished and I am still working on my process of clearing, but the truth is that this will be a lifelong process. I work some every day on clearing and on ensuring that the "stuff" I have supports my life and lifestyle, and not the other way around.
Posted by: Sarah | October 02, 2009 at 08:02 AM
A wonderful post! It's great she is now 'tending' to herself, rather than her things. Best wishes Misha!
Posted by: Lola Meyer | October 02, 2009 at 11:43 AM
When I saw that stuff I could heardly believe my eyes when I saw how some people lived with all their stuff. But let's face it when I look around my house and see stuff that I won't get rid of because it's not broken it's not too hard to see why and how hoarders can become hoarders.
Everytime I see the show it gives me the urge to clean.
Posted by: Linda Hampton RN MSN | October 02, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Like Misha, I go through all the discussion in my head, especially the "I might need this" one. But, coming from a long line of hoarders (guess where I get it from?), and being a clean freak - I know that I can't live like that - so I'm forced to dump things. Sometimes it feels good, sometimes it doesn't, but having my home be nice and comfortable is more important.
It's not easy, but you have to make a choice. Or you just might end up on that show ;-)
Posted by: Carole | October 02, 2009 at 09:42 PM
It's always reassuring to know we are not alone. I'm so glad Misha has been able to take some steps to start dehoarding :)
Posted by: chaotic kitten | December 03, 2009 at 05:11 AM