Hoarders on the Spectrum.

allowing blank space clean up clear clear out emotional energy let go need organize release it relief space Jul 12, 2021

Have you ever watched the show "Hoarders"?

Next question. Can you relate?

I can! Lol.

There are two main reasons why people hold onto things.

  1. They think they are going to do something with the unused items eventually. 
  2. They emotionalize inanimate objects with memories of the past.

For both reasons, I can relate in a big way.

As a creative, I find that I've held onto old costumes or audition clothes because I'm going to need them. I've also had empty candle boxes, meaning the box the candle came in because I told myself I would create some art project with them. By the way, it never happened.

Then there's the empty shampoo bottle sitting on my bathroom counter. From the outside looking in, you would definitely see it's taking up space and tell me to through it away. But here's the catch. When I see the bottle, I remember where I was when I bought it. I had walked to the store with my little fur family, and since then, 2 of my fur babies have passed away. So every time I look at the bottle, I think of them.

Even when I go outside to meditate, it takes me around 20 minutes to set up because I bring my yoga mat, journal, books, pen, crystals, water, sage, lighter, phone, glasses, and headphones. I feel as if I NEED all of this stuff just to meditate.

If you saw my desk right now, there's all this STUFF on both sides of my computer. 

(pause)

I just took 3 minutes to straighten up my desk. I immediately felt the urge to clear it up. Aaaaaaaaaah. Relief.

I know for some people they don't emotionalize things, so it's really easy for them to let things go. But for the rest of us Hoarders on the Spectrum, it's a constant challenge.

So what are people like us to do?

  1. Reread Marie Kondo's book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" (Affiliate Link) And go through her system of clearing out things with the mantra "Does this spark Joy?"
  2. Set a goal to get rid of 1-3 things every day. And I'm not talking about the trash! That doesn't count.
  3. Make it a goal to have one drawer, closet, or shelf space cleared out by the end of the week. That doesn't sound too bad!
  4. Get in the habit of putting things away after you're done using them. This means you have to know where it goes and make sure there's space for it to fit.
  5. For the really emotional things, either put it on display, take a picture of it so you can through it away, or have a special container to put it in so you can keep it, but it's put away.

I'm sure there are many more options. And I welcome any suggestions! LMK

Here's to letting go of the old to make space for the new.

With lots of LOVE,
Teresa

#plantingseeds #dreamsdocometrue #yourgreatnessiscalling #moveonpurpose

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