Why I Love Watching Hoarders

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I’ve never really talked about Hoarders on the blog, and as I was watching it the other day, I thought I should correct that.

The first thing the show Hoarders taught me years ago was that there were people who had the job of helping other people organize their house. That show made me want to become a professional organizer. It is THE reason I even knew that the job of a professional organizer existed! I used to tell friends and family that I wanted to be on that show one day, helping those people who needed a lot of help.

Well, I didn’t exactly pursue THAT dream since I’ve had four little children and like being close to home. But, I did go out and become a professional organizer. In that role and with the Declutter Challenge, I’ve been able do what I set out to do and help a lot of people make a difference in their homes (and in their lives).

I don’t think it is bad for people to watch Hoarders as a cautionary tale, kind of like “look what can happen if you don’t get the mess under control.” I think the producers, professional organizers, and counselors that work on the show are hoping they are inspiring us to fix our messes before it gets so bad. The way the workers treat each person with respect helps to remind me that each person I help has their own story and ultimately deserves respect.

Hoarders has shaped the kind of organizer I am. Sure, I love tidy spaces and pretty matching containers, but I’d rather focus on the thought processes behind why we collect clutter and how to create organizing systems that work for real life.

Helping people work through the mental challenge of clearing their clutter is behind every chapter of my eBook: Everyone Needs to Declutter.

Whenever I feel distant from the reason I started this blog and my mission to help people with the challenges and other things I try to do, an episode of Hoarders will set my mind right. It reminds me of the importance behind the message.

If you’re fighting with clutter, keep fighting the good fight. Maybe an episode of Hoarders is just the inspiration you need!