Hoarder is finally decluttering whole house.... how do you stop the shame though?

[LewisFan]

So I'm a hoarder due to mh and other stuff. Finally got my mh sorted so now it's time for a new slate.

My whole tiny terrace is full of 17 years worth of childrens clothes, toys, paperwork... literally all sorts. I even have a stage1 car seat for family trips still.... my nephew is 8!

My home does not look like a tv hoarding show, but its time to get rid.

How do I stop the feelings of shame? It's so powerful... I could literally sob throughout this process.

3 bags down, eleventybajillion to go..... good job I got a skip!

It’s quite nice though, to stick a few easy to sell things on e bay, even if the thought of trying to sell the whole lot over faces you.

We’ve been gradually decluttering the garage during lockdown, selling about 5 or 6 things a week and have made £400 so far. Unfortunately DH has spent £1k on new cupboards and shelving and workbench but I’m optimistic we’ll come somewhere near breaking even.

He has at least repaired a few things that have been hanging around for ages, now that he no longer has to rifle through heaps of stuff for his tools.

I'm in a similar situation.

There's nothing to be ashamed of really. You weren't well and things got out of hand.
Now you're feeling better, you're strong enough to be able to start to tackle the backlog.
Crack on, I say! It took a while to get to that state, and will take some time to go through everything and sort it all out.

I'm doing the same and I'm nowhere near finished, but it's getting to the point people are noticing the progress now.

Fantastic, well done because you've probably got over the biggest hurdle you'll get over this - starting it. Try not to see it as one huge messy lot, rather set yourself a time limit - 20-30 mins, and each time you do it focus on one small area. Feel proud about clearing that area, be it a part of the kitchen worktop, or a shelf, or anything. But you do have to see it as lots of small jobs rather than one insurmountable one. You can do it! Buy yourself some flowers as soon as you've cleared your favourite place to display them.

Well done!

De cluttering is the best thing ever! Absolutely do not need any shame over it. Marie Kondo is my hero!

Agree with LyingWitch be careful about paperwork with identifiable details. One of the items you buy should be a shredder to deal with these. I LOVE a good shredding session it can be very satisfying indeed

Amazing. Good for you. One bag at a time.

Update ... theres about 3 hours between the photo above and this one... the skip is going to be well stacked!

I'm having a shredding bonfire for the paperwork... I've kept it all separate

Fantastic - you're doing so brilliantly! My own decluttering has hit a roadblock, but you're very inspiring!

Just think what it'll be like when you've done (or even after that photo where you'd achieved the goal you set for the day, since that's nothing to be sniffed it!) - you'll be able to sit back with a or whatever other treat takes your fancy and bask in your success

Wow. Look how much space you'll get! Are you going to repaint, too? Have you made a Pinterest board of things you'd like to get it how you'd like to redecorate? Would love to see some of the stuff you've got your eye on. So positive to focus on the future and what you deserve.

I've been watching the new series of Queer Eye. You should watch it in the evenings when you're chilling - it's all about what the person is worth and helping them build confidence and their perception of themself.

Congratulations, I have been tackling my own clutter recently and love seeing some clear space!

That's fantastic progress. I hope some pride and relief are creeping in too.

Talk to yourself the way you'd talk to a friend in this situation. Tell yourself how proud you are of how far you've come, and how lovely the house is going to be, and how exciting it is that you're ready to do this, and how positive you're going to feel when it's done. Be kind to yourself.

Wow @LewisFan you are doing brilliantly. Really well done. Keep at it, nothing to be ashamed of at all

Fantastic progress look at all that floor you have claimed back

@LewisFan Wow, well done! It does feel so much nicer when teh space appears under the hoard!

@Nanalisa60 Thanks but it still really hurts, my hole was the fact I wanted two children but due to DH not wanting more, I only had the one. So the pain from that has never left me but I understand more now buying stuff, doesn't make the pain any easier. I know i wont have anymore as I am pushing 50 and DS is now going to be 17 this year.

Ooh I'm glad you didn't take my (obviously bum) advice about not taking photos! Well done! You can do it!

Whoa! Well done OP!!!

Wow, great progress!

Well I've reached the desk and am sitting on the blue chair

I'll finish the rest of the room tomorrow.... I am going to sit in front of a fan!

Well done 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Oh and whoever asked - yes I am going to redecorate. I'm thinking maybe navy and something

I've nearly finished redecorating the living room (ochre and silvery grey)

Then I'll do DS's room, the kitchen as it needs new cupboards as I reused/made do with my nan's kitchen when she died and then my room.

That's brilliant! Well done 👏

Well done! One step at a time