Collector Care: 4.5 Tips to Combat PTSD and Clutter

Recently Ive noticed a trend with the combination of clutter and ptsd, a complete overwhelm.

Hello Collectors! PTSD is an overwhelming disorder in itself, when clutter is added you might find yourself in CHAOS. Embarrassment to let people in might plague you; along with the shame of not being perfect. You've always been expected to be neat and tidy, why is it that you can no longer enforce order?

HALT!  It's time to stop right there. Please understand that you are undergoing a dramatic change in life, try and cut yourself a little slack. You are not your clutter. Below are  some tips that can help you begin your journey.

1. Try and remain in the present. If you find yourself flashing back when viewing certain items, save those items to go through at a stronger time in your life.
2. Begin somewhere neutral of feelings such as the pantry or linen closet. Pull all of the items out, and clean the space you plan to reclaim. Place only items that serve you back. Remaining items can be tossed or donated. If you find yourself easily distracted - set a timer for 30-60 minutes. 
3. PTSD leaves you feeling stuck. Lost in time. Motionless. Set a calendar reminder for your decluttering efforts so that you don't forget. 
4. Make sure to open up plenty of windows and let sunlight and fresh air in. Sounds of nature from outside will help bring you into the present. 
5. Hire a professional organizer, make sure this person has credentials and is bonded, licensed and

I am not credentialed to treat or diagnose any symptom or disorder. The intent of this blog is only informational and based on my insight as an organizer. Please read the ICD code of ethics to read the standards I adhere by.

Local Self Help Group Pleasanton - Fun Story

This is a quick story from our self-help clutterers meeting which is anonymous, but I was giving approval to give a vague depiction for this blurb. I was going through a basket of clutter with my @timeTimer when I came across a dress that I had purchased on sale and wore many times. It now had a broken shoulder strap. 

When I moved it into the “trash” basket, there was a unified gasp and then complete silence. As I moved on, hands went flailing into the air to ask questions about the dress. I told them I had bought it for less than $10 five years ago and that the strap never fit well. I don’t sew and the cost of paying someone sounds silly. The cost of driving over to pay someone to fix the dress and then driving a second time to go pick it up sounds even worse. “Well ,why don’t you donate it?! “ Someone shouted. Great question but,  I don’t think anyone wants an old dress with a broken strap … “Make a pillow out of it!” Someone demanded.  

I LOVE this group. Such enthusiasm! What would you have done?

ClutterLess (CL) is a nonprofit, peer-based, self-help, support group for people with difficulty discarding unwanted possessions.

Room 7 at 7 pm.
NOTE We meet EVERY MONDAY
(Except some Holidays like Labor Day - Please come before or after)

7:00 to 8:30 pm at the:
St Mary & St. John Coptic Orthodox Church
RM 7, 4300 MIRADOR DR.
PLEASANTON, Ca.
(The building was formerly the Pleasanton Presbyterian Church)*

Collector Care Book Review: Digging Out By Dr. Michael Tompkins

Purchase On Amazon

In Digging Out, you will find a complete guide to helping your loved one with a hoarding problem live safely and comfortably in his or her home or apartment. Included are realistic harm reduction strategies that you can use to help your loved one manage health and safety hazards, avoid eviction, and motivate him or her to make long-term lifestyle changes. You'll learn how to handle a mate or spouse with a hoarding problem, identify and work through special considerations that may arise when the person who hoards is frail and elderly, and receive guidance for healing strained relationships between people who hoard and their friends and family. Take heart. With this book as a guide, you can help your loved one live more comfortably and safely, salvage your damaged relationship, and restore your peace of mind.

Five  reasons why you should read this book

1. "The goal is pragmatic: to manage the hoarding problem over time so that your loved one can live safely and comfortably at home." Page 10.
2. Chapter 2 : Harm Reduction. "An alternative approach to the problem of compulsive hoarding that recognizes the realities of the condition while offering hope to you and your loved one".
3. "Assessing Insight and Motivation". Page 83. Gently assess your loved ones condition with handy lists provide inside the book such as this one.
4. "Checklist: Preparing to Clear Target Areas". Page 130. This is a great way to begin a large project, you might even want to copy this page and keep it handy for everyone working. 
5. Chapter 10 : "When the Landlord Knocks and Other Terrors". This book does an amazing job of providing solutions and resources that will really help your loved one.

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer
I am located in Pleasanton Ca, and serve the San Francisco Bay Area.
I specialize in Hoarding Disorder, Chronic Disorganization and helping the overwhelmed with clutter. I love what I do, and I provide realistic expectations and timelines. Don't suffer in chaos any  more. Every breath is a new beginning! Please visit my site at www.collectorcare.com
Tweet me on Twitter : Like my Facebook page : Find me on Pinterest

Local Self Help Group For Clutterers - Pleasanton and the Entire BayArea Ca

Hello Locals! Join me as I present "Clutter Busting - 15 minutes a day" on January 14, 2013 at 7pm. I will provide information, tips and ideas all using the Time Timer. Hope to see you there!!!

I have had the pleasure of attending the Clutterless.org group of Pleasanton several times this year, and feel they deserve a very special place on my blog.

This group has been going on for many years, as an anonymous hoarding and clutter self help group.
They follow very strict guidelines on confidentiality, and the facilitators are genuine and helpful.

Being overwhelmed with stuff is a tough place to be, we all know it. It's great to know there are others out there that suffer from the same challenges. Some of these folks have become friends for years. The group is inviting, honest and their expectations are reasonable.

The group started out by author Mike Nelson at www.clutterless.org. This is the only group like this in the area. Specific information such as dates and times are listed on my homepage as well as below.

PLEASE NOTE: CLUTTERLESS OF PLEASANTON WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND STARTING UP WITH FULL FORCE ON JANUARY 7TH 2013!

Local Self Help Group for Clutterers!

ClutterLess (CL) is a nonprofit, peer-based, self-help, support group for people with difficulty discarding unwanted possessions.

Room 7 at 7 pm. 
NOTE We meet EVERY MONDAY 
(Except some Holidays  like Labor Day - Please come before or after)

7:00 to 8:30 pm at the: 
St Mary & St. John Coptic Orthodox Church 
RM 7, 4300 MIRADOR DR.
PLEASANTON, Ca. 
(The building was formerly the Pleasanton Presbyterian Church)*
Feel free to download these 10 commandments which the group goes over each meeting!

 

Hope to see you there folks!

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer
I am located in Pleasanton Ca, and serve the San Francisco Bay Area.
I specialize in Hoarding Disorder, Chronic Disorganization and helping the overwhelmed with clutter. I love what I do, and I provide realistic expectations and timelines. Don't suffer in chaos any  more. Every breath is a new beginning! Please visit my site at www.collectorcare.com
Tweet me on Twitter : Like my Facebook page : Find me on Pinterest