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?
