Hoarding – Everyone’s Concern

Hoarding is a complex mental health issue. It can also be a safety issue. Intervention needs to take place at several levels. Hoarding cleanup can be extremely costly for property owners and local governments. Hoarding can cause a variety of complications, including:

·        * Unsanitary conditions that pose a health risk

·        * Increased risk of falls

·        *  An inability to perform daily tasks, such as bathing and cooking

·        *  Untreated medical or psychological conditions

·        *  Family conflicts

·        *  Loneliness and social isolation

·         * Fire hazards

Some Signs of Hoarding:

·         * Extreme collection and storage of items in the home and yard

·         * Accumulation of combustible materials (newspapers, magazines, and rubbish)

·         * Blocked exits (doors & windows)

·       *   Narrow pathway in the home

·         * Rotting food and/or used food containers

·        *  Insect infestations

·         * Long-term neglect of home maintenance

·      *    Non-working utilities, such as heat, running water, refrigeration

Fire Safety

Know the fire-safety risks and how you can keep yourself and first responders safe.

Risks: 

Personal items can crowd cooking equipment, making it unsafe to cook.

Personal items can crowd heating equipment, putting you at risk of having a fire.

Difficulties for firefighters:

Blocked windows and doors make it difficult for firefighters to get into your home to fight the fire and search for occupants.

Piles of belongings make it difficult for firefighters to move through your home quickly.

Important:

Always keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from cooking and heating equipment.

Keep doorways and windows clear for escape in case there is a fire. This will also prevent injuries from falling over excessive personal items.

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

Change Your Habits So That Your Life Will Be More Organized and Stress Free

 

For some people living in a disorganized house doesn't faze them. But for others, it causes stress and anxiety. They know they need to change, to fix things, to get a handle on their disorganization, procrastination or lack of productivity. But where do they start? By changing their habits.

Does Replacing Bad Habits with Good Habits Work?

 

Bad habits are a frustrating and persistent part of life. They can hold you back from reaching your goals and lead to negative consequences in your personal and professional life.

 

Many people try to replace bad habits with good habits as a solution, but does this approach actually work? Let’s explore the effectiveness of this question and explain the importance of addressing the root cause of the bad habit.

 

The Importance of Finding the Root Cause

 

One factor in the success of replacing bad habits with good habits is understanding what is driving the bad habit. Whether or not you’re aware of it, bad habits often serve a specific purpose or fulfill a need.

 

The idea is that the bad habit is performed to relieve stress, boredom, or anxiety (or whatever your issue is). But it’s a problem because the bad habit tends to make the original problem worse, so you might focus on the bad habit and just stop it without understanding the root cause. If you do this, it may cause you to implement the wrong good habit to replace the bad habit, making it seem like replacing bad habits does not work.

 

The problem is that if you don't address the underlying issue causing the bad habit, you will continue to have the trigger for the habit. Due to this, you may struggle to maintain the good habit because it’s not fulfilling the original need that the bad habit alleviates.

 

To uncover what is causing your bad habit, ask yourself some questions:

 

·         What need or desire is the bad habit fulfilling?

·         What emotions or feelings do I experience before, during, and after the bad habit?

·         What situations or environments trigger the bad habit?

·         What are the consequences or costs of the bad habit?

 

Answering these questions offers insight into the root cause of your bad habit and helps you identify potential solutions.

 

Strategies to Identify and Resolve the Bad Habit

 

You can use several strategies to figure out the root cause of your bad habit and find a solution.

Let’s look at a few of them.

 

·         Keep a journal: Write down your thoughts, feelings, and actions surrounding the bad habit. This can help you identify patterns and triggers for the habit.

 

·         Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist about your bad habit and the challenges you are facing. They may be able to offer insights and suggestions for addressing the root cause of the habit.

 

·         Experiment with different strategies: Try different approaches to addressing the bad habit and see what works best for you. This could be taking up a new hobby to relieve stress instead of smoking, or finding a healthy way to cope with boredom such as taking a walk or reading a book.

 

Replacing bad habits with good ones is challenging. But breaking free from negative patterns and creating lasting change in your life is possible. Having said that, you must understand the root cause of your bad habit and find effective strategies to address it. Doing so will set you up for success in adopting healthy, positive habits to replace bad ones.

 

Remember to be patient with yourself, and don't get discouraged if you encounter setbacks. With persistence and commitment, you can overcome your bad habits and achieve your goals.

 

 Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

 

Chronic Disorganization and Hoarding - If You Are Ready to Make a Change - There is a Class for You

Are you tired of the clutter in your home and your life? Has anyone ever told you that you have issues with hoarding? Don't be embarrassed - it's more common than you think!

If you are ready to make a change in your life and want to live in a home that is less cluttered - where you can have family and friends over - there is help available! 

A Group to Address Hoarding Behavior

The Buried in Treasures Workshop is about more than clutter...

· Overcoming challenges 

· Increasing motivation 

· Reducing acquiring

· Prioritizing and celebrating choices

Clutterers, Collectors, Treasure Hunters,  Savers, Pack Rats

                             Unite and Support Each Other 

Is clutter getting in the way of how you want to live your life?

Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many possessions?

Are you embarrassed to have people over?

This program offers a 16-week course that is based on the book ‘Buried In Treasures’​.  Join us for this group created by and for people who are ready to live a less - cluttered life! 

​The Buried in Treasures group is for people who would like to learn tips on how to de-clutter and stop over-acquiring with people who know what it’s like. Each week we will have a discussion around a specific skill, followed by the completion of challenging and rewarding exercises. Individual progress, challenges, successes, and goals are also monitored throughout the sixteen weeks.

You can make changes to the way you live your life - with support and understanding from people that are going through the same thing. You are not alone! 

Participants are expected to commit to attending all the sessions as well as to participate actively.

A Buried in Treasures Group is forming >>>

*** this will be a VIRTUAL CLASS - anyone - anywhere can participate in the class

Sessions start Wednesday, August 24th, 2022:

    Wednesday, August 24^th, 2022  -  6:30 pm – 8:30 pm   -  Mountain Time  

     Wednesday, August 24th, 2022 -   9:00 am - 11:00 am  -  Mountain Time

This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

Early Registration required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 – 9326 or  kefconsulting@gmail.com

**** Class is on Zoom-  by phone and/or computer - call /email for Starting Date / Time and to be put on a Waiting List for future classes

 

Do You Know Why You are Disorganized?

Not everyone in this world is organized. Some people are very disorganized. But the real question is - "do they know why?".

Most people don't.

So - be honest with yourself. Sit back and ponder a few questions.

Do you know why you are disorganized?

What bothers your about your disorganization?

What is not working for you?

Do you just "not" want to organize - because you don't have the time or don't know how or it's boring or you are just lazy? 

Does it cause you stress?

Do you not know what categories to put things into?

Do you "need" to leave things out - so that you know where they are?

Do you have a filing system in place for your paperwork?

Why do you want to get organized? What need would it fulfill?

 ***

Once you  have some answers to these questions - you can begin the process of coming up with some solutions that will work "for you'.  And that is crucial to your success.  

Organizing is not a "one size fits all".  The solution has to "work for you".  It has to be uncomplicated so that you will actually use it.

For more information on how to get organized - call or email a Professional Organizer. 

We LOVE to ORGANIZE!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Understanding Your Family Member or Friend that Hoards

  Family & Friends – Hoarding Explained

Understanding Hoarding Behavior and How Not to Deal with It 

 

Hoarding is an extremely complex issue. If you have family or friends that have issues with hoarding you might wonder why they do what they do. Or you might be embarrassed by their behavior and the unsightly mess in their home. Or you might have cut them out of your life completely.

Threatening to have everything removed from their home “because you care about them” – doesn’t work. 

Threatening to cut off all ties to their grandkids if they don’t clean up their home – doesn’t work.

In this seminar you will:

·         Learn what hoarding is – and is not

·         Explore the complex issues surrounding hoarding

·         Learn how to understand and support your family member/friend

·         Learn ways to enable your family member/friend to start on the way to making changes

·         Learn how to help your family member/friend “let go” and start to declutter

·         Have the opportunity to ask questions

 

Family and Friends – Hoarding Explained

A Virtual Seminar 

 

Session Information:    Thursday, January 14th, 2021  -  from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm  -  Mountain Time

This seminar offers a judgment-free environment for people that have family or friends with hoarding issues.

Registration required. Call or email for more information. Seminar Fee is $ 40.

Registration link:  Family-and-Friends-Seminar / https://forms.gle/ettZFGhGCq29eaJL8

 

(440) 666 – 9326 or  kefconsulting@gmail.com

 

*** Ask about our “Buried in Treasures” 16-week workshop for people with Hoarding issue

Hoarding - Help is Available - if You are Ready to Make a Change

 A Group to Address Hoarding Behavior

   

 The Buried in Treasures Workshop is about more than clutter...

· Overcoming challenges 

· Increasing motivation 

· Reducing acquiring

· Prioritizing and celebrating choices

Self-Help & Empowerment

For

Finders and Keepers

Is clutter getting in the way of how you want to live your life?

Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many possessions?

Are you embarrassed to have people over?

This program offers a 16-week course that is based on the book ‘Buried In Treasures’​.  Join us for this group created by and for people who are ready to live a less - cluttered life! 

​The Buried in Treasures group is for people who would like to learn tips on how to de-clutter and stop over-acquiring with people who know what it’s like. Each week we will have a discussion around a specific skill, followed by the completion of challenging and rewarding exercises. Individual progress, challenges, successes, and goals are also monitored throughout the sixteen weeks.

You can make changes to the way you live your life - with support and understanding from people that are going through the same thing. You are not alone! 

Participants are expected to commit to attending all the sessions as well as to participate actively.

A Buried in Treasures Group is forming >>>

*** this will be a VIRTUAL CLASS - anyone - anywhere can participate in the class

Sessions start:    Wednesday, February 17^th, 2021  -  from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm  -  Mountain Time

This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

Early Registration required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 – 9326 or  kefconsulting@gmail.com

**** Virtual Class available – Conference Style – by phone and/or computer - call /email for Starting Date / Time and to be put on a Waiting List for future classes

 

Buried in Treausures

 

 A Group to Address Hoarding Behavior

   

 The Buried in Treasures Workshop is about more than clutter...

· Overcoming challenges 

· Increasing motivation 

· Reducing acquiring

· Prioritizing and celebrating choices

Self-Help & Empowerment

For

Finders and Keepers

Is clutter getting in the way of how you want to live your life?

Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many possessions?

Are you embarrassed to have people over?

This program offers a 16-week course that is based on the book ‘Buried In Treasures’​.  Join us for this group created by and for people who are ready to live a less - cluttered life! 

​The Buried in Treasures group is for people who would like to learn tips on how to de-clutter and stop over-acquiring with people who know what it’s like. Each week we will have a discussion around a specific skill, followed by the completion of challenging and rewarding exercises. Individual progress, challenges, successes, and goals are also monitored throughout the sixteen weeks.

Participants are expected to commit to attending all the sessions as well as to participate actively.

A Buried in Treasures Group is forming >>>

*** this will be a VIRTUAL CLASS - anyone - anywhere can participate in the class

Sessions start:    Wednesday, September 9^th, 2020  -  from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm  -  Mountain Time

This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

Registration required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 – 9326 or  kefconsulting@gmail.com

**** Virtual Class available – Conference Style – by phone and/or computer - call /email for Starting Date / Time and to be put on a Waiting List for future classes

Chronic Disorganization & Hoarding - defined

Hoarding is a complex issue. The word is used quite loosely these days. But there is a difference between people with chronic disorganization and hoarding issues.

People that are chronically disorganized are not necessarily hoarders. 

Professional Organizers that work with people with hoarding issues use a variety of tools to help them determine the severity of the situation and to make sure that all of the people involved with working with these individuals are on the same page. 

Chronic Disorganization:

• Chronic disorganization is having a past history of disorganization in which self-help efforts to change have failed

• an undermining of current quality of life due to disorganization

• the expectation of future disorganization 

DSM-5 definition of clinical hoarding:

 

Hoarding:

• Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. 

•  This difficulty is due to a perceived need to save the items and distress associated with discarding them. 

•  The difficulty discarding possessions results in the accumulation of possessions that congest and clutter active living areas and substantially compromises their intended use. If living areas are uncluttered, it is only because of the interventions of third parties (e.g., family members, cleaners, authorities). 

•  The hoarding causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (including maintaining a safe environment for self and others). 

•  The hoarding is not attributable to another medical condition (e.g., brain injury, cerebrovascular disease, Prader-Willi Syndrome). 

• The hoarding symptoms is not better accounted for by the symptoms of another DSM-5 disorder (e.g., obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder, decreased energy in major depressive disorder, delusions in schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, cognitive deficits in major neurocognitive disorder, restricted interests in autism spectrum disorder).      

         
        Specify if: 

• With Excessive Acquisition: If difficulty discarding possessions is accompanied by excessive acquisition of items that are not needed or for which there is no available space.  

        Specify if: 

• With good or fair insight: The individual recognizes that hoarding-related beliefs and behaviors (pertaining to difficulty discarding items, clutter, or excessive acquisition) are problematic. 

• With poor insight: The individual is mostly convinced that hoarding-related beliefs and behaviors (pertaining to difficulty discarding items, clutter, or excessive acquisition) are not problematic despite evidence to the contrary. 

• With absent Insight (i.e. delusional beliefs about hoarding): The individual is completely convinced that hoarding-related beliefs and behaviors (pertaining to difficulty discarding items, clutter, or excessive acquisition) are not problematic despite evidence to the contrary.

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com