Simple Ways to Overcome Hoarding and Start Decluttering

While the popularity of minimalism is still spreading across the globe, there are these people who, even amidst a sea of unused belongings, delight the life of being an obsessive collector. And as everyone would expect, they are not lazy and messy people. But rather they have this natural-born impulse to collect and hoarding things that are above average than what ordinary folks do.

This kind of psychological behavior falls under the clinical disorder OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder wherein 5% of the world’s population has it. Though this type of clinical disorder is not dangerous as cancer, it has damaging results that can significantly influence the person as well as the people around him/her.

3 Quick Tips to Slowly Control Your Hoarding Habit

It can take up to many years before one can manage and overcome clinical hoarding habit, says the director of the Anxiety Disorder Center Dr. David Tolin. But starting early and slowly can aid to ease such behavior. If you think you are a part of the 5%, below are a few fundamental ways to manage obsessive hoarding.

1. Manage Your Objects One at a Time

Often, when one decides to declutter, he tends to procrastinate and set things aside to go back later that day. And most of the time they unintentionally forget to go back to it. To efficiently organize your space, restrain yourself from making a habit of “for now.” Decide which one you can prioritize and finish first, so you do not need to go back to it over and again every time you clean. It helps you save time too after all.

2. Put Away Unused and Unnecessary Belongings

One reason why a room seems cramped and chaotic is that a lot of unused and pointless stuff is still on display and in store. And the fact that it is difficult to manage the anxiety of throwing things when you are attached to it makes it more challenging. The good thing is, that feeling will eventually fade if you do it one at a time until you can handle tossing it all away.

You can ask a quick hoarder cleanup too if decluttering seems unfit for your schedule. Also, always remember to control yourself from shopping unnecessary stuff. Get what you need, and you will surely benefit from it shortly.

3. Put It in a Storage Box for the Meantime

If you have not decided whether you need to throw a mass of things, consider storing it in a box for now. And if after months– say your maximum is five months– you still did not use it, it is good to toss them all away already. This concept helps the affected person to realize that some of his possessions are of no use already. However, if you think it can still be used, then it is better to donate it or give it to someone who needs it.

Clinical hoarding behavior can affect the person emotionally, physically, and socially if not controlled. But after numerous studies psychologists conducted, they have come up with various natural and holistic formulas to resolve it. And managing this type of impulse is a lot easier now than the previous years.