Surfing YouTube and Finding Insight--Why People Can't Let Go of Stuff

If you don't remember, I originally started this blog as a way to discuss how to dispose of items from an inherited estate. More specifically, I was the last relative standing dealing with my grandparents' belongings, and as cool as my relatives were, it's important to say they were on the hoarding spectrum. I always say they didn't have dead rats buried under paperwork or anything like that--more just keeping and retaining regular life items without culling through them--bills, glasses, dishware, travel souvenirs, etc. They did organize stuff by category, at least--they just didn't let go of it. And I would guess this clutter tendency got worse as they aged, though growing up during the Great Depression probably caused them to hold onto everything as they went through life.

As I've gone through layers of their home (literally and metaphorically), I've sought information and watched a fair number of TV shows about hoarding. Today I found some short and helpful online videos from the International OCD Foundation featuring Randy Frost, PhD, giving insight into how hoarders process information differently. According to Frost, they see more special details about objects and then have a harder time letting go of them. If you see extra knowledge as empowering, these videos could be for you. And while hoarding causes stress for family members, one positive note is that hoarders can be creative people who notice what others miss. If you're intrigued, see his helpful videos--"Causes of Hoarding" is below: