Many of us can be prone to clutter or have difficulty parting with old goods, particularly sentimental souvenirs, knickknacks, or items we believe will be beneficial one day. However, if you suffer from hoarding disorder, your house may be so crowded that certain living rooms are useless.
Hoarding is a disorder characterized by persistent difficulty abandoning goods, especially those with little monetary value, as well as a disordered connection to sometimes useless or unusable items. It leads to an excessive collection of goods, which frequently results in a tight, unmanageable, or unhealthy living area.
According to the International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation, around 2 to 6% of the population suffers from hoarding disorder, while symptoms may be present in 1 in 20 people. While eliminating hoarding tendencies is difficult, it is achievable. Below, we have listed five methods you can use to overcome your hoarding obsession.
Get to Face Your Fears
Overcoming hoarding can be challenging. You must face your worries and stick to your treatment plan in order to get rid of any unnecessary possessions. During this procedure, you may inadvertently sell anything of worth or value.
Just remember that you may always replace it with a newer, potentially better one. Stop worrying about throwing away something precious. Most of those fears are irrational, and nothing bad will happen if you get rid of some of your unnecessary possessions.
Take Baby Steps
Many people who suffer from a hoarding condition do not naturally know how to declutter in a timely manner. There are several methods for removing superfluous objects from your home and being more organized.
Every day, set aside 5-15 minutes to organize your home. You may even make a weekly schedule that includes organizing and cleaning one room for 15 minutes each day. Quick decluttering options include putting soiled towels and sheets in the laundry basket, throwing away empty bottles, tossing away old food, and cleaning surfaces after use.
Get Help from Real Estate Companies
If you suffer from this obsession, there is no need to worry as much since there is help available all around you in every sphere of life. Of course, hoarding can make living in a home a bit problematic. In addition, if you’re planning to sell your property, you may think that it is very hard or even impossible due to the clutter. However, this is not the case.
There are many companies out there that can help you with this aspect. A professional estate sales company can help you if you have hoarding problems since they will handle all of the pricing, management, and selling of things that you don’t need anymore, and you won’t have to worry about any other element during the entire process.
Get Rid of Belongings You Haven’t Used in the Past Year
As mentioned earlier, hoarding disorder is characterized by the retention of objects of little to no value. Hoarded things include outdated clothing that no longer fit, old newspapers, invoices and receipts, paper and plastic bags, and damaged equipment.
A good rule to follow is to get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last year. This rule will avoid an unnecessary accumulation of clothes, cooking supplies, outmoded technology, or children’s toys.
Follow the OHIO Rule for Mails and Emails
The OHIO Rule assists individuals in managing their mail. OHIO is an acronym that stands for “Only Handle It Once,” and it relates to reading emails or physical mail. The OHIO Rule requires reading and responding to incoming emails quickly rather than postponing these duties.
Also, if you receive promotional mail in your home mailbox, throw it away right away if you don’t need it soon. When you receive bills in the mail, pay them as fast as you can rather than waiting until the due date.
Get Professional Help
It is a possible task to break the cycle of compulsive hoarding. Getting some therapy from a professional specialized in this type of behavior will help you get there. A cognitive behavioral therapist can assist you in better understanding why you gather unnecessary items.
They will be able to assist you in getting rid of all the mess in your house after a proper diagnostic, as well as strengthen your decision-making and relaxation abilities. Above all, a therapist will be encouraging if you have any setbacks along the road.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, these five pieces of advice can substantially assist you in overcoming hoarding, which isolates you from your loved ones. If you suspect a loved one is a compulsive hoarder, avoid arguing with them since it will just make them more obstinate. Instead, be prepared to listen to them and discuss how this obsession is keeping them from living their life fully.
