I say it’s progress that we made today in the hoarded house but even with what we did, you probably wouldn’t think so. The broken microwave was on a counter about 2 feet wide by 4 feet long and you wouldn’t believe how much fit on that counter! Not only was the counter full but the microwave itself was stacked a few feet high with stuff.
My mom’s friend has been notorious for not letting anyone in the house and not getting rid of anything. She gets very defensive when people tell her that she has too much stuff. She doesn’t see it. If you have any hoarding tendencies at all, you know what I’m talking about.
We, my mom and I, got her outside and then I brought all the flower vases, mugs, glasses, candles and miscellaneous items out onto the patio table. I was hoping it would help her see how many things were on that counter along with the microwave. It didn’t really work. HOWEVER, she did get rid of a few things! I was hoping for a little more but my mom assured me that even that much was great progress.
Once I got it all off the counter, I was able to wash it up before bringing the new microwave in. It looked really nice so that’s why I was hoping she would get rid of a few more. I was a little sad when I had to put all the keep stuff back. I know that the clear one foot area in front of the microwave will be covered by morning.
A few observations about the process: She certainly didn’t want anyone telling her what to keep and what to get rid of. My mom was getting a little frustrated at one point and firmly told her to get rid of the old lotions, candles and medications, which she did. There were moments when she seemed glad that someone was giving her permission to get rid of something. But she seemed threatened if we pushed too hard.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the tiny clean spot on her kitchen counter will give her a little motivation to keep going when we’re not there. We’ll be heading back in a few days to work on cleaning around the furnace so the repair people can get in. Wish us luck!!
I’m so glad she has you! As you know, sometimes we need someone else to remind us that we don’t need certain things.
It doesn’t seem to be sinking in though. She still wants to keep everything. I left her outside today with my mom and she was only able to get her to get rid of another printer paper box of stuff again. I came out and was like “What?!?!”