#160 Dehoarding with the seasons: get inspired by nature when everything is overwhelming

That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding

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In this episode, I explore how the change of seasons can inspire and motivate dehoarding efforts, with autumn in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere being upon us. Drawing on traditions like harvest festivals and spring cleaning, we'll discuss how nature’s rhythms can support our journey toward a more organised home. Plus, personal insights on managing the emotional challenges of letting go and tips for embracing seasonal transitions as opportunities for growth.

• Seasonal Influence on Dehoarding
• Autumn Motivation
• Mixed feelings: beauty vs. precursor to winter
• Harvest festivals: gratitude and inspiration for giving and decluttering
• Nesting instincts as a motivational tool for organizing
• Spring Motivation
• Symbolism of renewal and hope
• Growth and change as motivators for overcoming hoarding disorder
• Spring cleaning tradition as an opportunity for new beginnings
• Emotional Aspects of Decluttering
• Acknowledge and understand feelings like overwhelm, anxiety, confusion, and fear
• Use emotions to gain self-insight and understand attachment to items
• Seek support from therapists, friends, family, or professional organisers
• Practical Steps for Dehoarding
• Assess possessions when transitioning between seasons
• Evaluate practical use of items like blankets and coats
• Decluttering inspired by seasonal changes
• Focus on small areas to avoid overwhelm
• Small, consistent changes over dramatic ones
• Set realistic goals for home improvements by New Year
• Community and Support
• Engage in dehoarding accountability sessions for communal support
• Donating items to reduce unnecessary storage
• Assess what you want for your home as the year end approaches
• Aiming for improvement, maintenance, or worsened state?
• Set intentions
• Walking, observing nature, and journaling
• Creating Rituals and Redefining Comfort
• Suggest creating rituals in tune with seasonal changes to aid decluttering
• Redefine comfort by reducing clutter rather than accumulating more
• Highlight the importance of a comfortable, decluttered space for winter