I don’t think I have ever been consciously collecting stuff. Maybe because I saw how my late dad holding onto every single power tool and building supply that came his way led over the years to an overstuffed garage in which it was difficult to locate what he needed when he wanted to fix something.
So when my son, around the age of six, started collecting stuff such as football cards and various book series, I got a bit nervous. Had my reluctance to having too much stuff made him a hoarder, as my dad hoarding tendencies had made me feel wary in the presence of too much stuff?
So you think you’re a hoarder?
TV reality shows such as Hoarding: Buried Alive, Clean House or A&E’s Hoarders have drawn attention to the phenomenon of compulsive hoarding. But while many people admit being cluttered, only a small percentage qualify as compulsive hoarders – based on the number of people I’ve helped over the last 4 years as a professional organiser, I’d say around 5%. Whatever the severity of your clutter is, my view is that you should get professional help. Here’s why.
