To wonder how people aren’t embarrassed by going on “Sort Your Life Out”

Don’t be so mean OP. My DD has asked if we can apply. My other DD has said no way do they want their stuff on TV. I don’t think we would qualify as our house is nowhere near as bad as the ones that made it onto tv. But I do struggle with clutter. I have a mad clear out and then it very quickly goes back. We live in a fairly small old home though with very little storage.

People struggle for many reasons to keep on top of their home. Mental health, adhd, ASD etc or just like me, being a single parent and just not having the energy to do everything myself.

I’d love someone to come and help me sort stuff, re decorate and build some bespoke bits of storage. And example is my DD is on the box room. There are no beds that would fit across the small width of the room allowing some decent floor space, but I’ve seen their joiner build a bespoke size bed to do just this and some bespoke storage to make the room appear more spacious. I can’t afford to buy someone in to do that.

Many years ago my friend’s dad was on that Kim and Aggie show where they clean your dirty house. I’d be more embarrassed about that though. But for the same reasons above people struggle with cleanliness.

Stacey Solomon has done alright for herself out of these silly programs.And now has poor Joe in on the act.

Musthave the same agent?

I think the gp comments were about Embarrassing Bodies programme

I haven't watched it, but going by the comments, maybe I should give it a try!

I often think that once the cameras are gone from these clean up/hoarding houses is that as soon as the crew have left, the place is back to the same state within a week.

What on earth would a GP do about a cluttered house?!

You should watch Aurikatariina on YouTube. She cleans truly grim hoarder houses and explains how they ended up that way, it has given me more empathy for people in these situations. Always some sort of serious mental illness going on, or physically incapable, or very tough life circumstances.

that's what I don't understand either!

I imagine they're not embarrassed at all, but it's too expensive - or too long - to see a medical professional.

I think it heigh lights the things people go through . And how hard life can be for people. Although I'm not sure that many people truly understand. I do think people who go in the programme are extremely brave. I do think the people are often vunerble though and I'm not sure putting vunerble familys on camera is the best idea

Did you ever watch 'Fat Families' OP?

I quite like Stacey, and the programme. But yeah it's a bit embarrassing how people live in such a state. Maybe it's outweighed by getting the lovely new decor.

French disorganised people are the kindest...is this the new, French women don't get fat?

I don't understand how anyone can go on one of these shows. I'm not criticising those who do. It's great for people to get help, but I'd die of embarrassment having any part of my life on the tele.

Agreed! It’s normal life for many families. Kindness goes a long way. French disorganised people are the kindest people in the world and are busy looking after everyone else and sont get round to looking after themselves.

If I'm honest this week I've decided to get rid of all my baby things. I've got a 13 month old and a 3 year old and I don't want anymore children but I've found it so hard. I washed the baby chair, baby clothes, next to me crib and a few other things and it generally made me want to cry.
I backpacked for 5 years with a small suitcase and thought I didn't need much stuff but I've found having my own house/children made it harder to get rid of stuff with memories.

Wow... i have no words

I've seen both this and other programmes, and there is always a reason why people couldn't cope. Traumatic events, ill health, bereavements, mental health crises usually. Underneath everything there is usually a house as it used to be, before things went to pot. Sometimes people are just so maxed out with everyday life that there isn't time for decluttering /reorganizing etc. Skips cost money, for just a short time of renting, not everyone can easily take things to charity shops, just dealing with excess stuff can be a major issue in itself. In most places nowadays bins are only emptied fortnightly. Until things are cleared you can't look at things like shelves or bookcases etc, it can be a vicious circle for people
I can't remember the name of the series, was it the hoarder next door, which had Steliis in, that was fsuy extreme hoarders, but he helped the people to address the emotional side of things, which was the impirtant bit for me, not the hoard porn, I can't do with people being shamed if it's an outward manifestation of inward trauma. OK I could do with people being shamed if they are truly just lazy, but who am I to judge who is, if someone was just lazy they'd not really want someone to help sort their life out

I think that, once your house gets that full, it becomes incredibly difficult to sort it out because you simply don’t have enough space to see what you’ve got, sort it into categories, and then get rid of as much as you need to. That is the beauty of this programme - the people can easily see what they have, and how much then need to get rid of - in a way that is simply not possible for most of us.

Plus I can well imagine how paralysing it is to have so much stuff, and not know where to start - especially when you take into account mental health struggles (hoarding is a mental health condition, and can be exacerbated by depression etc).

I feel a great deal of sympathy for people in this position - I wish they could all get the help of someone like Stacey.

I have only seen part of one episode but it seemed like the family were drowning in clutter and needed to get rid of loads and also re organise their house and get more storage. I don’t know what’s embarrassing about that. It’s pretty normal?

You can get quite isolated in today's society so I can see why people get 'behind' so to speak and might appreciate assistance.

I think it’s a harmless show that’s basically about helping people who are having a hard time, for whatever reason. You don’t have to like Stacey Solomon but it’s among the most innocuous reality shows out there - and much less cruel than How Clean Is Your House.

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I know someone who was on How Clean Is Your House and she was told to not clean or wash up for a number of weeks before filming.
So her place was messy enough to be filmed in the first place.
Amusingly, to me, my friend’s elderly aunt was very distressed by this, and told her she’d let the family down!

I don’t know about that, but you do need a medal! You are amazing!

If you can’t work it out, I can’t help you.

What ARE you on about? You sound like a nutcase!

That sounds so hard. Could you not get help with the relative? Carers in or residential care? Incontinence would be the thing that would break me, I think. Neighbour had to shower her husband (double incontinence and dementia) three times a day. All sympathy to you.