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I love this episode and my guest’s incredible honesty. My guest today is a mental health professional and is working on her own home. I think you’ll find her insights to be incredibly helpful no matter your situation.
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--Nony
This was helpful. I am currently going through my dad’s belongings and having to make all the decisions about keeping, donating or tossing. Eventually, after the layer of personal papers and photos are tackled, I want to have a professional team come clean the house and remove the rest. As Jessica said, most of what will be discovered is no longer in useable condition. People may wonder why I don’t just start with the pros doing the work…it’s because they demand by necessity very quick decisions and I cannot do that. I haven’t seen this stuff in 30 years so I have to take it slow. Thank you for addressing this issue of hoarding.
Thank you Jessica! I could recognize so much of what you said and it was such an inspiration to listen to you both. I’m sure I will listen to this episode again. It’s encouraging to hear that others struggle the way I do and encouraging to hear thoughts and solutions 👍🏻👍🏻
As I was listening to this episode and hearing Jessica talk about Executive Function that is t functioning properly (like for a person who has ADHD or ADD), I started wondering if these strategies could work for my Mom with Dementia. One of the hallmarks of dementia is that the Executive Function is damaged, so logic and reasoning are SEVERELY impaired. Mom is in mid-stage of the disease, but can still have a conversation (might be the same one over and over 🤣), and helps herself remember things by writing them down. I wonder if anyone could speak to whether this might be helpful to her (as she tends to hoard belongings and even trash now).
I have tried so many things. I recently told myself- I just need to live with my space as it is. This podcast episode has given me new hope. I identify with your guest. I know my executive functioning is impaired. The decision making is exhausting. I haven’t read your book. I’ve only listened to a few of your podcasts. This conservation has convinced me to take a closer look at your tools. I am hopeful. Thank you.
We experienced having a full truck loading my late in-laws things dropped off. I came home from work to find living area FULL. Only the downstairs bathroom and stairs were accessible. And a 2’ walkway. My patio no longer accessible and my kitchen no longer accessible.
When I asked why my kitchen was completely blocked off their answer was” why are you upset- your stove doesn’t work “
So they felt justified in blocking access to my fridge, microwave, crockpot, coffee maker and my only functioning sink.
Shortly after I needed major surgery with an 18 month recovery time My is disabled.
And the same bunch is now calling us hoarders.
I briefly had an offer for “help”. They looked and stated. This must all be trash , let’s just throw everything away.
Ugh.
So this made me cry. I recently found out from another family member that my sister is a hoarder. (I have not asked my sister or talked to her about it).This podcast gave me such understanding. It helped me understand her thoughts and emotions! I have been reading Dana’s books and watching her YouTube videos since spring of 2022. It was so encouraging to hear how Dana’s steps are so helpful with those that struggle with hoarding, but even MORE encouraging is when Jessica said that you didn’t have to know the why of why someone was hoarding in order for Dana’s steps to help. AND that you don’t even have to “look for trash” because creative people ALWAYS see a use for things! That the 2 questions themselves will do the work! So I am praying about what steps to take next. I wish I could have asked Jessica if the Decluttering at the Speed of Life is the only book of Dana’s she has read and if not, did she still believe this particular book was the best help for her situation.