Month: July 2024

I don’t know about you, but there have been different times when I’ve looked around my home and felt overwhelmed by the sheer clutter. Perhaps work kept me so busy that my house took a back seat in my list of priorities. This neglect has somehow turned into a level of hoarding.

One day, you look around and realise that something needs to be done to get your home organised again. So, how do you begin?

First, it’s essential to understand hoarding. Hoarding is a condition characterised by the excessive accumulation of items and the difficulty of discarding them, leading to cluttered and often unusable living spaces. I’ve outlined five different levels of hoarding, ranging from mild to severe.

Most people will fall into the first two levels. However, seeking additional support and professional help is advisable to navigate the decluttering process effectively if you identify with the higher levels.

Regardless of your level, once you take the first step toward a clutter-free home, you’ll feel instant relief and a sense of achievement. This blog covers 12 clutter-busting tips for result-oriented hoarders.

Implementing these strategies will transform your living space into an organised, serene oasis. This will alleviate your anxiety and create a more peaceful and enjoyable environment for you and your loved ones. With a decluttered home, you’ll find it easier to relax, focus, and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.

Levels of Hoarding

Level 1:  Mild Hoarding

• No noticeable odours.
• All doors and stairs are reachable.
• There is some mess, but all rooms are accessible.

Level 2:  Moderate Hoarding

• One or more exits are blocked.
• Occasional use of one or a few rooms.
• Light to moderate odours.
• Insect or rodent infestations.

Level 3: Significant Hoarding

• One room is unusable at all.
• Difficulty entering necessary locations, like the kitchen or bathroom.
• Strong odours.
• Structural damage to the home.

Level 4: Severe Hoarding

• Multiple rooms are unusable.
• Major structural damage.
• Widespread pest infestation.
• Dangerous collections of items.

Level 5: Extreme Hoarding

• All or most of the rooms are unusable.
• Severe structural damage.
• Extensive pest infestations.

12 Decluttering Tips for Hoarders

Tip #1: Go Small

Take it slow with a small, achievable area like one drawer or shelf. Finishing something small often motivates you to tackle a bigger space.

Tip #2: Maintain Clarity in Mind and Be Focused on Clear Objectives

Always make it clear within your head what the goal of initiating this decluttering session will be, and those objectives must be easily achievable. Setting goals helps you stay on task, whether clearing out a particular room or reducing the items.

Tip #3: Use the Four-Box Method

Label four boxes as “Keep,” “Donate,” “Sell”, and “Trash.” As you go, put the items into their corresponding box to make your decision-making easier later.

Tip #4: Follow the One-Year Rule

If you haven’t used something within the last year – chances are, you don’t need it.

Tip #5: Seek Professional Help

Know when to get a professional organiser who specialises in hoarding cases. These individuals can provide structured guidance and empathy surrounding this ordeal.

Tip #6: Limit Duplicate Items

Keep only one of each item type. Multiple items serving the same purpose can clutter your space unnecessarily.

Tip #7: Design Your Decluttering Plan Schedule

Set aside regular time slots for decluttering sessions. 

Tip #8: Go Paperless

Scan all your important documents and save them in digital format. This will reduce the number of pieces of paper around your office and make placing and retrieving them easier.

Tip #9: Get Help from a Friend or Family Member

Having someone to help you can be morally supportive, allow you to make decisions, and allow you to have fun.

Tip #10: Do One-In, One-Out

For every new item you acquire, make it a responsibility to discard one old one. This ensures balance and prevents new things from becoming clutter in a few months.

Tip #11: Detach Emotionally

Consider the things that do not affect your emotions or general mood. This way you can make a rational and enlightened decision about what to keep.

Tip #12: Reward Yourself

Each milestone made is worth a little celebration. Positive reinforcement helps you stay focused and eliminate the unnecessary.

Conclusion

Hoarding is a complex disorder that can have crippling effects, interfering with the quality of your life through severe clutter and disorganisation. If we can break this down by learning the five levels of hoarding, we can better rate ourselves and find methods that work and support us.

When our house is tidy, there are benefits beyond physical cleanliness. A little order can make a big difference in mental health – decreasing stress and lowering levels of anxiety, creating an environment that is calm and conducive to relaxation and productivity. Additionally, when we declutter and resourcefully use our home space, it becomes a place for friends to visit.

In doing so, we create a way to be surrounded by organised, simple, essential items that contribute to peace and order and help improve our overall well-being. Bask in the clutter-free life that will take months to achieve but make significant changes that will last a lifetime.

Also read DOWNSIZING YOUR HOME AS A 60+ WOMAN: FACING THE DISCOMFORT OF UNCERTAINTY.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What level hoarder are you? Have you been at a higher level? How did you bring yourself to your current hoarding state? What tips have you followed on your decluttering journey?

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As we age, maintaining our holistic approach to health becomes increasingly vital. For women over 60, integrating movement, meditation, and motivation into our daily routines can lead to many physical, mental, and emotional benefits. These pillars of wellness are essential for enhancing quality of life, promoting longevity, and ensuring a vibrant and fulfilling existence.

There is a great deal of information on healthy aging as we boomers are meeting the challenges of growing older. We want to live fully and enjoy our blessings. While we know that there are more days behind us than ahead, let’s keep moving forward as best we can. There is no magic elixir for aging; if there were, we would all be drinking it, A LOT!

My journey in this fascinating and sometimes challenging chapter has taught me that movement, meditation, and motivation are a lifestyle choice. These are not new concepts, but they are worth repeating in a renewed perspective

Movement – The Foundation of Physical Health

We are in these physical bodies, and we need to move. We might not have the energy or the knees to do what we did 20 years ago, but we can still move. It doesn’t matter if you walk five minutes a day or run a marathon, your bones, muscles, heart, and cells are calling you to move, move, move!!!

Regular physical activity is crucial for women over 60 to maintain muscle mass, bone density, and cardiovascular health. As our bodies age, we naturally lose muscle strength and flexibility and have a higher risk for falls and fractures. With regular movement, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, we can meet these age-related changes.

Many people have found that their aches and pains may be present, but moving seems to diminish those trouble spots. I do believe that many of our aches are just our bodies telling us that our sedentary choices are not serving us to our highest good. So, stroll, walk, run, dance, swim, kayak, bike, practice yoga, or find something (ANYTHING!) that you enjoy and immerse in it as often as you can.

Strength and Flexibility

Strength training exercises a few times a week can markedly improve your muscle mass and strength. Weightlifting or resistance band exercises are great choices. Flexibility exercises, such as stretching or yoga, help maintain the range of motion in the joints, reducing stiffness and discomfort.

Cardiovascular Health

Brisk walking, cycling, or swimming enhance cardiovascular health by improving heart function and circulation. Regular aerobic exercise lowers the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, which are more prevalent in older adults.

Mental Well-Being

Physical activity is a powerful mood booster. It releases endorphins and oxytocin, the body’s natural feel-good hormones, which help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Regular movement also promotes better sleep, which is crucial for overall mental health.

The very best exercise is the one you will do!

Meditation – Nurturing the Mind and Spirit

Meditation offers amazing benefits for mental and emotional well-being, making it an invaluable practice for women over 60. As life slows down, the mind often remains busy with worries about health, family, and the future. Meditation provides a sanctuary of peace and clarity amidst the noise.

So many of us think, I can’t sit still. I have too much to do. My mind is too busy. My favorite is, “I tried meditation once and it didn’t do anything for me.” That is like going to the gym once and saying, “I didn’t lose five pounds, it doesn’t work for me.” Practice is the key!

Stress Reduction

One of the most significant benefits of meditation is its ability to reduce stress. Regular meditation practice lowers cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. This reduction in stress helps decrease the risk of stress-related illnesses, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

Cognitive Function

Meditation has been shown to improve cognitive function, enhancing memory, focus, and mental clarity. It encourages the growth of grey matter in the brain, which is associated with processing information and emotions. Cognitive decline is a common concern.

Emotional Balance

Meditation cultivates emotional resilience and balance. We observe our thoughts and emotions and witness without judgment, fostering a sense of acceptance and inner peace. This can be particularly empowering for women over 60, as it helps us navigate the emotional challenges that often accompany aging.

Meditation takes practice, so start a gentle, short, breath and stillness session today!

Motivation – The Drive to Thrive

Motivation is the driving force that propels any of us to achieve our goals and live life to the fullest. For women over 60, staying motivated is essential, although not always easy, for maintaining an active and engaged lifestyle.

Goal Setting

Setting small, realistic and achievable goals is a powerful motivator. Whether it’s learning a new skill, pursuing a hobby, or committing to a fitness routine, having clear objectives provides direction and purpose. Celebrating small victories along the way reinforces the motivation to keep going. Remember The Little Red Engine, who said, “I think I can!”

Social Connections

Maintaining social connections is a key factor. Participating in group activities, such as fitness classes, book clubs, or volunteering, fosters a sense of community and belonging. Our social network can provide emotional support and encouragement, making it easier to stay committed to personal goals.

Positive Attitude

Cultivating a positive mindset is crucial for motivation. Practicing gratitude, appreciation for even the smallest blessing, focusing on strengths, and embracing a can-do attitude can help overcome challenges and frustrations. A positive outlook not only boosts motivation but also enhances overall happiness and life satisfaction.

A gratitude practice I recently cultivated is not only to name what I am grateful for, but to add the why also. I am grateful for my body that can walk with ease because I get to smell the flowers along the way.

“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” —Buddha

In Conclusion

For women over (and under!) 60, the combination of movement, meditation, and motivation forms a powerful triad for holistic well-being. Regular physical activity ensures a strong and healthy body, while meditation nurtures the mind and spirit. Motivation drives growth and engagement, fostering a fulfilling and vibrant life. By embracing these practices, women can navigate the challenges of aging with grace, resilience, and joy.

“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”—Betty Friedan

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How are you aging? What types of movement do you commit to every day? How do you keep your mind healthy and engaged? Where do you find motivation to thrive?

Love and fear are often on the opposite ends of the spectrum. But they also go hand in hand.

Speaking of Love

Volumes have been written about love in its many forms – romantic, friendship, familial, universal, practical, and self-love – to name a few. When we hear the word “love” we may even picture an actual example of one of the types of love. I just spent a couple of days with my four sisters at a lovely resort which we try to do at least annually. We shopped together, shared family stories, expressed concerns, and enjoyed good food and music. I feel so blessed for my siblings’ familial love!

How About Fear?

You may fear failure, loss, change, intimacy, judgment, success, loneliness, rejection, the unknown, or something else. Several years ago, I took a trip to my home state for a conference. Since I was not far from the town where my parents are buried, I decided to visit their graves. The day I set aside turned out to be cold and rainy. It was not pleasant at all, and I had to stop to get directions to the cemetery.

I had a mental picture of the location of my family’s plot in the cemetery but still drove up and down several rows before I found the gravesite. As I got out of the car, the rain turned to sleet. It was very uncomfortable.

As I stood in front of the graves, I realized that I was carrying the impression that my parents were disappointed in me. (Upon later reflection, an experience in second or third grade was the origin. That is a story for another time.) I started to apologize to my parents and a clear message came from them, “We are not disappointed in you, we love you, and are proud of you.”

It was as if the sun had suddenly come out! I started smiling and laughing, and my whole trip took on a new meaning. The judgment had I carried with me for years melted away, and I no longer felt the sting of the sleet.

True Opposites

Some people think that the opposite of love is hate while others say the opposite of love is fear. I vote for the latter because it is my observation that fear is the underlying reason for many other emotions, including hate.

For example, all of us have strong feelings about money from our childhood. Let’s say you grew up in a household where income did not cover all expenses or covered only the basics. Maybe those feelings play out in an ongoing fear of never having enough money which feeds compulsive buying or hoarding. You want to make up for skimping as a child. Maybe you fear that you will end up living on the street even though your savings are adequate, and you are surrounded by friends and family that would never let that happen.

For many people, there is a fear or distrust of outsiders. The family and friends that surround us make us feel comfortable. We accept the rituals and social order of our community. But step outside that box or have a new person enter your world, and there may be discomfort. You may circle the wagons or erect walls. “What will that person do or say? Will they take my job? What do they believe and is that a threat to me?”

My family moved frequently as I grew up. Each new community meant making new friends and learning new customs in addition to finding places to shop for groceries, a car repair, a church, or the dry cleaner. Yes, there was a fear – a discomfort that goes with the unknown – but it became easier with each move. I am fortunate that I also have a twin sister who helped me adjust.

Did I feel accepted by each new community? Not always, and I have to admit that I did not deal with some of the feelings of being an outsider until I was an adult.

My mother had a beautiful soprano voice. She was frequently asked to sing at weddings, funerals, and other church functions. A new family moved to our town and joined our church. The woman had an equally beautiful voice, and requests for my mother to sing dropped dramatically. Mom felt rejected and hurt. So great was her hurt that my parents chose to attend another church. However, my parents did not force my sister and me to change churches, and we chose not to.

Choosing What to Feed

Fears play out in our lives and in the world in many ways. Unfortunately, our reactions to things we fear are often negative and we put up defenses or we choose to just walk away. If we, instead, analyzed our fears and tried to understand them, our world would benefit.

Now is the time to understand more so we fear less. I propose – now is the time to love more so we fear less.

Some of you may have read the following story:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. He explains, “A fight is going on inside me. It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil – representing anger, envy, sorrow, greed, arrogance, and other negative emotions. The other is good – embodying joy, peace, love, hope, kindness, and compassion.”

The grandson asks, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee wisely responds, “The one you feed.”

May we all feed the “good” wolf!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Would you be willing to share an example of a situation or circumstance in which you felt fear and successfully worked through it? What did you do?