That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding

Subscribe to the podcast Today's episode is all about batching and hoarding. Have you ever started a task only to get sidetracked and end up feeling disheartened and unproductive? Well, you're not alone. In this episode, I explore the concept of batching tasks together and how it can help you overcome the distractions and actually get things done. Join me as we delve into the world of productivity strategies, context switching, and the positive benefits of batching tasks. Get ready to declutter your mind and your home and find the encouragement you need to keep going. Stay tuned for some practical tips and insights on how to make batching work for you. Let's get started! For people who easily get sidetracked and lose focus quickly Using technique to focus on tasks efficiently More focus leads to increased productivity and visible results Batch tasks for efficiency and effectiveness Batching tasks simplifies decision-making and improves efficiency Batching tasks helps with transitions and procrastination Create a schedule for regular batched tasks Batch based on area, category, or activity Feeling unaccomplished by distractions when trying to complete tasks Focus on one task at a time to accomplish more and see noticeable results, providing motivation and encouragement Allows for a fresh perspective on completed work and saving time and energy Batching tasks simplifies decision-making, reduces analysis paralysis, and allows for forward planning, increasing productivity Helps with transitions and initiating task Beneficial for dehoarding, depending on progress. Establishing a schedule for regular batched tasks may be helpfu Batch items based on area, category, or activity. Stay focused and redirect distractions by saying "No, I'm working on this for now." Explanation of context switching and its impact on focus and productivity More noticeable results at the end of a decluttering session Boost in motivation and encouragement Importance of visible progress in overcoming feelings of disheartenment Comparison between concentrated progress in one area vs. scattered progress throughout the space Difference between visible and hidden progress Encouragement to apply batching techniques to stay focused and improve effectiveness in organising efforts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to the podcast Today, Dr. Jan Eppingstall is here to shed light on the connection between executive function, executive dysfunction, and hoarding behaviour. We explore how executive function impacts our ability to organise and declutter our living spaces and uncover the challenges individuals face when it comes to decision-making, mental flexibility, and working memory. We'll also discuss strategies for improving executive function and overcoming the obstacles that hoarding behaviour presents. Depression and health conditions can impair focus Nervous shutdown and self-compassion during stress Trick yourself into starting Network atrophies when not engaged Issue with sticking to tasks due to desire for novelty Reducing food shops, using what's in cupboards Procrastination hinders progress, but changing behaviours helps Mental flexibility essential Flexible thinking in shopping, problem solving, creativity Executive dysfunction hinders organisation; hoarding makes it harder Lack of experience in decision-making, cutting corners Perspective and help are important when organising Lack of space hinders planning Executive functions affects losing things Fear of loss worsens clutter See-through boxes and labels Mindset affects executive function, self-care is crucial Many conditions cause brain fog and difficulty focusing Understanding our executive functions helps us manage stress, improve awareness, and leverage strengths Reflection can inform future behaviour Nervous system shuts down, could be triggered by dissociation Engaging in tasks helps people focus and enter a flow state Perfectionism = rigid thinking, efforts towards being more flexible Trying to organise a hoard is destined to fail Can we reassure ourselves when we put things away? Minimise visual distractions, motivation to improve surroundings Take care of your mind, believe in yourself, and prioritie self-care for better executive function Is difficulty organising due to executive function issues or the sheer quantity of items? Difficulty getting rid of things once they are brought into the home due to the endowment effect Suggestions for improving working memory through mental maths and storytelling memory games Identifying triggers and strategies for preventing or dealing with shutdowns Practicing self-compassion and reducing stress for better action-taking Introduction of the task positive network (TPN) and flow state during tasks Downsides of hyperfocus and its impact on cognitive attention Weakening or atrophy of the TPN due to lack of exercise How depression, autoimmune diseases, and long COVID can impact executive functioning Unique perception and organization of belongings for individuals on the autism spectrum Planning skills and lack of space as potential barriers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the challenges of hoarding spares and backups, the fear of running out, and the art of letting go. Discover how keeping too many backups hinders finding things and wastes time and money. Learn the importance of allocating space, assessing necessity, and evaluating spare items. Understand how fear and risk limit our daily lives and the benefits of letting go. Reflect on the impact of secrets and shame on mental health. Gain insights into hoarding as a mental health issue and finding affordable therapy options.

For the transcript for this episode, visit http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk Subscribe to the podcast Jasmine Sleigh is a professional declutterer and has spent the past decade helping people to free up space. She focuses not only on physical belongings but also on the emotional and psychological aspects of decluttering. In today's episode, Jasmine likens her role to a dance, where she carefully navigates through uncertainties and potential triggers for her clients and stresses the importance of providing support and encouragement throughout the decluttering process. We also discuss Jasmine's book, Being Owned: A Decade in Professional Decluttering, where she expands on the concepts discussed in this episode. Let's dive into the world of decluttering with Jasmine Sleigh. Facilitating crafts and donating unused items. Professional decluttering: a personal and people-centric approach Handling belongings requires adaptability and improvisation Sort out space, prioritise essentials, declutter Understanding lives through belongings; an intimate job Stuff has power, can be moved Keep belongings accessible for ease of use Helping people achieve their goals is the key Positive actions in a cost of living crisis Jasmine wanted to write a book about her experiences as a professional declutterer, focusing on the poignant stories of her clients and celebrating her achievements She also felt frustrated by people's misconceptions about the job The importance of using and sharing possessions, especially in the context of crafting and hobbies. Jasmine can only go as far as clients are willing to let her Training others has further shaped her understanding Emotional attachments and recent purchases may require more distance The power of belongings and the impact they can have Ensuring easy access and a comfortable living environment for individuals is the main priority Goal is to make people happier in their homes Using resources for good and the availability of second-hand items in a crisis Sorting through belongings and determining their importance in one's life narrative The Unpredictability of the Job Need for adaptability in dealing with unexpected situations Describing the job as a "dance" due to uncertainties and triggers Being present and flexible in the moment, avoiding over-preparation Ineffectiveness of threats and negative consequences The Process of Decluttering Recognising that there is no quick fix or magic solution Examples of finding forgotten items Belongings becoming overwhelming and causing a burden The ability to move and rearrange belongings to improve the situation Different levels of difficulty in letting go of different types of items Sorting out keepsakes at different life stages Importance of having hobbies and engaging in creative activities Creating a space to pursue hobbies and finish projects Passing on unused items for sustainability and resource usage Power dynamics surrounding objects Giving individuals agency to make choices about possessions Stories of reengagement and finding joy in personal belongings Being attuned to people and focused on their well-being Maturation and increased understanding after 10 years of working Importance of the home as a sanctuary for wellbeing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we're diving into the topic of when you feel like giving up. We'll be exploring the struggles, frustrations, and moments of doubt that can arise during the journey of overcoming compulsive hoarding. We'll uncover strategies to stay motivated and find the strength to keep going. Join me as we navigate the highs and lows of this challenging process and discover the power of perseverance. So, grab a cup of tea and press play! For the transcript for this episode, visit http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk Subscribe to the podcast Reminder: Why was change important? Self-examine motivation for new things. Stay present, take care of yourself, embrace failure. Challenges and triumphs in a long journey and a big project. Setting expectations based on order rather than timings is preferable for someone who finds it difficult to predict. Learn from experience and set realistic expectations. Consider the burden of letting others down if you communicate expectations to them. Setting milestones helps celebrate small wins. Clearing the kitchen table can be a goal, leading to a sense of accomplishment and motivation. Having compassion for oneself is crucial. A Facebook comment inspired compassion from children of hoarders, encouraging someone to not give up and be a hero for their kids. Change up your habits, shift timing, remember why you started. Remember why decluttering was important to you. Reflect on your motivation and discover new reasons, like enjoying extra space, treating yourself, or flexibility while working from home. Taking breaks and finding inspiration from others helps prevent burnout during long-term projects. Look to successful people for motivation, even outside of your specific field. Applying mindset to various areas of life, replacing unproductive habits, assessing and making adjustments, and the potential benefits of visualizing success. Acknowledging slow progress is better than no progress Feelings of frustration and impatience with the current situation Be patient and work with circumstances Mindful Approach to Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed Being present in the moment instead of rushing to the next thing Appreciating and being present in small tasks Practicing mindfulness and avoiding constant engagement with everything Importance of physical, mental, and emotional self-care Maintaining motivation through scheduled and unscheduled breaks Viewing failure as a learning experience, not a reason to give up Importance of setting specific goals and milestones in decluttering Celebrating accomplishments as motivation Breaking tasks into manageable chunks to reduce overwhelm Replacing rigidity with a more gentle and careful approach Doing a bit, assessing, and making adjustments Changing Environment and Finding Motivation Changing environment or time of day to make decluttering feel new Reflecting on initial motivation to stay motivated Various sources of inspiration, including social media, podcasts, and books Unrelated endeavours like trekking the Appalachian Mountains as a source of inspiration Flexibility and Adaptability in Pursuit of Goals Emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability Overcoming rigidity and perfectionism through adjustment and starting multiple times Taking breaks and weekends off to prevent burnout Failure as a Motivator and Opportunity Understanding failure as a setback in life plans Validating the feelings of discouragement and wanting to give up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast explores decision-making challenges in hoarding disorder, discussing neuroscience research, categorization of possessions, and techniques to improve decision-making skills. It covers topics like fear of uncertainty, different decision-making styles, and the correlation between hoarding and impulsive decisions. The episode also provides practical tactics and strategies for overcoming decision-making challenges in hoarding, emphasizing the importance of simplifying choices and setting parameters. Additionally, it highlights the significance of self-compassion and making decisions based on the present moment. Tips for handling unexpected items during decluttering are also discussed.

Join Dr. Jan Eppingstall, a hoarding disorder specialist, on a podcast exploring the connection between hoarding and other conditions. They delve into OCD, OCPD, depression, autism, and ADHD, discussing overlapping symptoms and challenges. Learn about the causes of hoarding behaviors, the relationship between depression and hoarding, the overlap between autism and hoarding, and executive dysfunction in ADHD. Discover the importance of understanding underlying conditions and the challenges of diagnosing hoarding and co-occurring disorders.

Tracy McCubbin, an expert in decluttering, talks about emotional attachment to belongings and provides practical advice. She challenges the notion that objects hold inherent meaning and shares anecdotes. The podcast explores clutter blocks, struggles with inherited items, difficulty in letting go, and the changing importance of sentimental objects. It also discusses the reluctance to let go of kitchen gadgets, sentimental items, and gifts. The value of working with a professional organizer, the importance of letting go of unnecessary possessions, and finding support through therapy are also touched upon.

In this podcast, they discuss the importance of setting up systems to make dehoarding easier and less resistant. They explore the concept of choosing realistic timings for successful decluttering. They also highlight how embracing the path of least resistance can be a gift when dealing with hoarding. The podcast covers strategies for overcoming obstacles and resistance, as well as organizing items in a hoarding situation. Overall, it offers insights and tips for making the decluttering process more manageable.

In this episode, we will be tackling the really gross and icky bits of dehoarding. It's not the most glamorous topic, but it's an essential part of the journey to a clutter-free life. We'll be discussing everything from dealing with unpleasant smells to handling sticky or disgusting substances that can accumulate over time. I've got some practical tips and strategies to help you navigate these challenges. Dealing with gross things is important, but don't beat yourself up about it Take responsibility, not blame, use it to motivate improvement Presence of mould or goo in home is harmful physically, mentally, emotionally. Use gloves and a face mask to protect against anything gross or moldy. Use a grabber if needed Adding essential oil drops to a face mask or using Vick's VapoRub improves smell. Learn from experience, tackle issues one by one, prevent future problems: avoid bulk buying, store properly The importance of addressing the "gross and icky" bits of dehoarding Learning from unpleasant experiences and taking pride in overcoming them Tackling issues or challenges one by one in a methodical manner Taking proactive measures to prevent similar situations from arising again Practical tips for dealing with sticky or gross substances Addressing them individually until the whole house is clean Being cautious with bulk food purchases and storing perishable items properly Using bags for cleaning purposes is a logical use, not a waste Spraying antibacterial spray after cleaning to ensure cleanliness The importance of not avoiding unpleasant tasks Facing the situation head-on because it won't go away on its own Being realistic about what needs to be addressed Quick resolution of tasks that have been avoided for a long time The importance of ventilation to prevent mould and fungus spores from spreading The need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when dealing with harmful substances Taking responsibility without blaming oneself Using experiences as motivation to improve hoarding habits Promoting a proactive attitude towards personal growth and improvement Overcoming the fear and worries associated with gross or unpleasant tasks Using gloves, face masks, and grabber tools to avoid touching or inhaling harmful substances Prioritising health and wellbeing when removing gross or unidentifiable items The consequences of failure to clean up grossness, including contamination and more waste Accepting that some things may not be savable and may need to be discarded Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.