Everyone has clutter, maybe it’s a few unopened packages, a stack of paper that need to be sorted, or a drawer full of things that might come in handy someday. That’s normal.
But HOARDING, it’s totally different. It’s when holding onto too much things starts making life HARDER.
When the piles you accumulate take over the spaces meant for you to live, when it feels impossible to throw things away, or when the thought of decluttering brings more stress than relief. Then you’re hoarding.
Is Hoarding the Same as OCD?
Hoarding and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are sometimes linked, but they are not the same. A person can have both conditions at the same time, but hoarding disorder is its own separate issue.
In the past, hoarding was considered a type of OCD because both conditions can involve repetitive behaviors and anxiety.
But since 2015, hoarding disorder has been recognized as a distinct condition with different causes and challenges.
Because of this history, some OCD-focused organizations still provide information on hoarding. While there may be some overlap, hoarding disorder has its own set of struggles that require a different approach to treatment and support.
How Is Hoarding Different from Collecting?
Some people who hoard may think of themselves as collectors, but there’s a big difference between the two. The main things that set them apart are how items are organized and how much they affect daily life.
Collectors usually focus on specific items. (like vinyl records, coins, or stamps.)
They carefully select what they add to their collection and often keep things in order. (displayed on shelves, stored in albums, or arranged in a way that makes them easy to enjoy)
Hoarding, on the other hand, isn’t as selective. Items are often kept without a clear system, making them difficult to access or use. Someone who hoards may not recognize that their behavior is different from collecting, especially if they see value in everything they keep.
But when the amount of stuff starts affecting your daily life (whether it’s getting in the way of basic tasks, creating stress, or causing tension with family) it’s a sign that it’s time to take a CLOSER LOOK at what’s really going on.
But Why Do Some People Struggle to Get Rid of Things?
Hoarding doesn’t happen overnight. It usually starts small, where you hold onto things that SEEM useful, sentimental, or just too good to throw away.
But over time, the habit of keeping things becomes stronger, and letting go starts to get pretty hard.
For some, objects hold memories, and getting rid of them can feel like losing a part of the past. While others worry they might need something later, so they keep it just in case.
What makes hoarding much more difficult is that the items don’t feel like clutter anymore. To the person holding onto them, they’re important. (even if they’re broken, outdated, or buried under more things)
And as the stacks get bigger, the thought of clearing them out becomes even harder to face.
So, What Can You Do to Stop Hoarding?
Hoarding isn’t just about having too much stuff—it’s a pattern that develops over time, often tied to emotions, habits, and past experiences. It’s not something that happens overnight, which is why stopping it takes time too.
You can start by clearing a little space here and there or trying to organize things differently.
However, if your goal is to stop hoarding for good and create a clutter-free home moving forward, the first step is ACCEPTANCE.
Accepting that hoarding has become a problem isn’t about blaming yourself. It doesn’t mean failure, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It simply means recognizing that holding onto everything has made life harder for you—and that change is POSSIBLE.
Moving Forward
Real change doesn’t happen all at once. It comes from taking small, intentional steps—whether that’s working through emotions, learning healthier habits, or getting the right support.
Some days will be easier than others, and there may be time when letting go feels too much. But even slow progress is still progress. What matters is continuing to move forward at a pace that is manageable.
BUT… if hoarding has started to take over your life…
Talking to a professional can help, especially if decluttering start to feel an impossible thing to do.
One great option that I can recommend is BetterHelp,
(If you choose to purchase BetterHelp, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. This helps me continue doing what I love on Alison’s Notebook)
You can use it to connect with a therapist who understands hoarding and can guide you through the process in a way that is doable.
And always remember…
Change isn’t easy. (it never has been and never will be) But it is possible, one small step at a time.
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