#136 The lies, contradictions and justifications we tell ourselves about our stuff - I dissect and debunk 19 of them!

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Podcast transcript: http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/

In this episode I talk about 19 lies we tell ourselves about our stuff that help us to remain hoarders rather than break free from drowning in stuff. 

• Acknowledging the Difficulty in Addressing Hoarding Behaviour
• Emphasising the possibility of change and the necessity of taking action.
• Challenging Justifications for Hoarding
• Negative impact on social interactions, emotional well-being, and emergency situations.
• The impact of hoarding on children's well-being and long-term trauma.
• The inefficiency and laborious nature of selling items from a hoard.
• The impracticality of holding onto items because we believe they could be fixed or upcycled.
• Setting deadlines for projects to address items awaiting repair or upcycling.
• Recognising Lies and Contradictions in Hoarding Behaviour
• Separating self-identity from possessions.
• Questioning the necessity of holding rare or one-of-a-kind items.
• Challenging the belief that items might be needed in the future.
• Holding onto clothing that no longer fits.
• Challenging the idea of holding onto items in anticipation of them coming back into fashion.
• Taking Immediate Action to Address Hoarding Behaviour
• Not postponing decluttering and organising efforts.
• Challenging the rationale for holding onto items for sentimental reasons.
• Considering hosting a virtual accountability group for dehoarding together via Zoom call.
• Identifying and Challenging Lies About Belongings
• Encouraging listeners to recognise and challenge lies about their belongings.
• Addressing beliefs about the necessity of more storage items and the significance of keeping just one item.
• Challenging justifications for keeping items, such as receiving them as gifts or having spent money on them.
• Emphasising that love and respect for others are not dependent on holding onto objects.
• Encouraging letting go of unused items, despite their perceived value or sentimental attachment.
• Torn between hoarding and avoiding waste.
• Recognise lies, challenge ourselves, become more accountable.
• Dehoarding reveals need for less storage.
• Overcoming sense of futility, one small effort at a time.
• Love doesn't depend on holding onto belongings.
• Letting go of excess stuff is liberating.
• Don't keep stuff for future fashion trends.
• Clutter affects every aspect of your life.
• Recognising lies, challenging beliefs, and being accountable for actions.
• Don't know what's needed; buying storage adds clutter.
• Letting go of stuff creates space for growth and reduces harm.
• Delaying decluttering prolongs discomfort. Let go of attachments to things from the past.
• Clutter affects mental health and safety, including for children.