Think about it. Why tackle the impossible — and try to create order out of chaos — if you don’t have to? That’s why us hoarders don’t get very far in our efforts if there’s no end goal or objective in sight. If you’re like me, you’ve told your spouse or your children “I’ll take care of it” when they pressure you about dealing with all that stuff. But good intentions are one thing and specific action is another. I don’t get around to “taking care of it” unless there’s a deadline to strike terror in my heart and light a fire under me. I’m assuming the same is true of you, right?

Back in October 2012, my older daughter Anna delivered a soft ultimatum: she was flying home for Christmas for a week’s visit and intended to bring a friend — and she wanted the house picked up. Ever the supportive mom, I said yes, of course I could do it — a response rooted in that part of my brain which functions under a vague cloud of fantastical thinking. In this state, I rationalize that I don’t have a hoarding problem; I just have too much stuff and have to “edit” just like all the home decor websites and shelter magazines advise us to do.  (It may help you to know that I’ve written a few of these articles myself, embarrassed at the fact that I can dish out advice I can’t seem to live by.) Continue reading →