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 →

You don’t know me, but we have a lot in common. Too much stuff. And we probably hold onto it for the same reasons. We’re afraid to let go.

But let’s be honest with each other, even if we’re not honest with anyone else. Having this much stuff hurts us. We are stuck and unable to move forward. We’re sacrificing all that’s good in our lives. We feel we can’t give it up, but those we love are giving up on us the longer we hold onto it.

This blog came into being because I’m tired of the stuff. It’s cramped my personal life and compromised my family. Now, as an empty nester, I can’t argue that “I’m holding onto it for the kids.” That’s a lie. I’m holding onto it for myself and I am coming to terms with acknowledging that I don’t need it. I would feel so much more free without it.

My solution: I’m facing my hoarding problem one room at a time, and inviting you to to follow along in this process. If I write about it, it’s my way of committing to action — to moving toward a solution. If I share my intentions with others, I’ll have to follow through. No shame, no gain.

Maybe you’ll gain the courage to join me and we can get through this together.

Yes, we’re letting go of stuff. But think of how much we’ll gain in return.