A Serious Wake-Up Call for a Potential Hoarder

The following is pasted here directly from the public comments on my "Are You a Hoarder?" post, in which I explained some things about hoarding, talked about the new A&E show "Hoarders," and gave some resources for more information. "Misha," the commenter, tells us how watching the show was a wake-up call for her. It was so powerful that I had to just paste it here in its entirety and make sure you saw it, since it might be buried for those who don't read the comments section. From Misha:

I am so grateful for this show. I just recently started the process of decluttering my home. I started to realize I had a real problem after my last move, when my poor friends made the mistake of offering to help me move. It is now time to move again, and I will NOT do that to people I care about ever again. I had started reading books on the issue, which helped a bit. I watched the first episode of Hoarders, and I wanted to throw up. I saw what I would become in 10 years if I didn't make serious changes right now. It's so sad to see people hold on to stuff. It's just stuff! I listened to their reasoning behind saving each little item, and I'm disgusted, BUT I understand them. I have said the same things to myself a million times: "I may need this, I paid good money for this, it was expensive, it's still good, there's nothing wrong with it, it was on sale, I stocked up because it was on sale, it was a gift, i don't like it but i'll make myself use it" ;. As sad as these stories are on Hoarders, I understand each and every one of them on some level. It's all just a matter of degrees. This show has provided me a huge wake up call. I finally had the motivation to get rid of more, and I donated all the items to charity. As the boxes piled up in the car port to be taken to charity, I looked at these THINGS, these OBJECTS that I had allowed to control my life. I have never been so disgusted with myself in my entire life. I felt nauseous, and I couldn't breathe. I think that's what I needed. After multiple trips to charity, I feel like I've lost 50 lbs. Each of those items was a piece of emotional baggage that was holding me back from LIFE. I spent my life tending to THINGS instead of myself. I still have a ways to go, but at least I can breathe when I walk into my home. I keep telling myself, "NEVER again."

Misha, THANK YOU for sharing your experience with us. I believe that when we are brave enough to hold ourselves up and become open as examples, we shine a bright light to help many other people with our stories. We are so happy for you that you have a new lease on life! Readers, have you been inspired by the show, or by reading Misha's comment? Share your own story in our comments– inspire others!

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