Did you catch ABC’s Nightline last night? If not, you missed a great segment they did on the issue of hoarding.
I am fascinated by hoarding, hoarders, and the psychology behind it all. Many Professional Organizers would prefer NOT to work with hoarders, which I can understand. It might not be where they thrive, they might not have the patience for it, or any number of other reasons. I love working with hoarders. And honestly, they’ve been some of my best clients – ready to make a change, open to having a professional come in to help, grateful for the changes that are made. And I love seeing the impact that each little cleared space can have in a hoarders life. It’s a process. No doubt about it.
One of my very first clients was a hoarder. No one had been in her home in about 10 years because she was too embarrassed to let anyone in. When she contacted me, she was finally READY for her life to change for the better. We had to start off very slowly at first, but once she grew more confident, she was really on a roll! If you aren’t a hoarder, you might not understand the power of this – but the day we could see what color the living room carpet was – it was BIG day.
I’m glad Nightline covered the topic. I hope more people become aware about what hoarding is and I hope that hoarders get the help they need – whether it’s from friends, family, or professionals. Honestly, I think a professional is often needed at that point, but I think if you live with others, they should be involved in the process too so that EVERYONE is part of the major shift and massive life change.
You can check out the segment on Nightline here: Hoarders Trash Homes – ABC News
Are you a hoarder? Do you know someone in your life who is impacted by hoarding? What did you think of the Nightline segment?
