Minimemo #2 - How to Encourage a Hoarder to Declutter Without Conflict

It has been costing me my sanity & I’ve had enough. So, I want to share this little story I have about how to deal with them and their problems especially when you have to co-exist.

The thing is that, my own mom is a hoarder, someone who can’t let go of things and loves the idea of just in case. There’s no just in case for me but I love her, so I am learning to tolerate her behavior while trying to also introduce my ways of living to her.

This is going to be a short one but honestly, if you want to gift a hoarder, don’t gift them things rather some type of experience. At the same time if you’re close enough to them, make them promise something if it has to do with things or physical objects.

Here’s what works with me and my mom, whenever I want to buy her some type of new dresses and or any items that will have a physical object, I will ask her to either donate or throw away her very old pieces to make room for something new in her life. It can be anything from bottled water to unused bottled of things that she’s keeping just in case.

I will not give her the new item before I am seeing the things that she will donate or throw away. Only then I have the proof, that’s the only time I am gifting it to her. Otherwise, it’s not going to happen. I do not want to end up living in a house full of trash which is some nightmares I have as I’ve seen hoarders around living in such crazy situation.

The silver lining of this all is that my mom starts understanding that and she has easier time letting go. I know, it’s not perhaps challenging depending on your relationship but if both parties come into some type of agreement and a win-win situation, that would work in your favor and theirs.