My clutter is definitely at least partially a trauma response. I had a stepmother who is paranoid bipolar schizophrenic. If she didn't like something I had she would destroy it and toss in the trash. This way I couldn't just take it back out of the garbage. So she ripped pages out of books. Cut up clothing. Break my figurines. Metal ones she would take when I wasn't home and toss them in someone else's outside garbage can. So it was for the longest time anytime someone mentioned I should get rid of some of my stuff I was like no I really can't do that right now. I am now in my 40s. I have two plastic totes of books that have been in my closet for 13 years. So this weekend I am going to go through them and try to downsize because I need the Closet space and I haven't read any of the books the entire 13 years. So wish me luck.
@rachelwatson8916 yeah it was all when I was in high school. Her and my dad divorced shortly after I graduated. We didn't know she had a mental illness until much later. So mostly better just letting stuff go is hard.
I'm sorry that you had to deal with that as such a vulnerable child. It's hard but once you realize you're an adult and safe from that it's so freeing. I hope you were able to lighten your load and prioritize yourself 💕
@SvayaG I was able to get rid of an entire bin of books. Then when my son and I went to the park there was one of those free little libraries so we put all the books in it.
Great discussion about ADHD and OCD, I was 47 when I was diagnosed as inattentive ADD with anxiety and OCD. After 47 years of learning to over compensate for the ADD and OCD, I'm finding now that my kids are out of the house I'm just completely exhausted and my coping mechanisms are not working anymore.
Diagnosed Adhd and Ocd at 40 after our daughter was diagnosed with Adhd, autism, ocd and learning difficulties. Im now 46 and feel like my Adhd fans the flames of my Ocd. Find the all or nothing plays a part in managing the home. I find I want to clear the decks, even when the home is minimal and super organised. It's nice to hear other women talking about Adhd and Ocd 🫶🫶🫶 been watching you for years Cas, just never commented 🩷
What helps me regarding passing over things we just walk by, I talk a photo and study it as if it was a picture of a room in a house for sale. It helps see things as others see them. We just get so immune to seeing things.
I've been going minimalist for about 5 years and did a big purge when I moved form Oz to Canada and then again when we recently moved back - we still had 386 moving boxes of stuff!!
I am 58 and was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago but was diagnosed with anxiety over 20 years ago. Thank you, Cass, again for sharing. I am on the journey of decluttering and putting things in order.
It's always weird to find out how having a bad memory affects clutter. I'm clutter blind: my grandmother always said - if it had been a snake it would have bit you. Also, - if my head weren't attached I'd lose it. Hearing these messages are so helpful so I can keep up with the stuff. But some people with good memories keep stuff for the nostalgia.
I’m currently struggling with completing several todo house items but I’m celebrating and enjoying recently removing alot stuff and organizing record collection.
ADHD..... and now look at you making your living talking on RU-vid, podcasts, etc. I use and rely on my planner too. If I write it down then I don’t have to worry about remembering., but I do have to remember to look at the day-timer.😀 The anxiety and ADD is new to me and one of my kids deals with that. All so interesting! Thank you 🙏 ❤
What a great podcast! As I've shared before...I haven't decluttered through everything yet but I am continuing to peel back the layers. I have some spaces that I have gone through and then have gone back through because I knew there were some things I was now ready to let go of. I have some items that I do like but am not using (however, my fantasy self does...lol). I am finding that many of these items I am letting go of and I tell myself that if at some point I need them, I will repurchase or something at that time (heck, maybe I already have something that will work). It is so freeing. I also tell myself that I may not be ready to let go now...but someday I probably will. Thank you for your honesty and inspiration. Blessings! ♥❣
Great interview! Thank you! I’m the silent ADHD. All my activity is in my head. I was addicted to fantasizing as a child. A model child in school because I was quietly in my own world looking like I was paying attention but not. I think this plays a role in why I have clutter. My mind is so engaged in so much chatter that when things pile up I don’t “see” it, I’m too preoccupied in my head. Not sure what to do about it. When I do see it I become the Indecision Imp. It requires focused attention which goes nowhere. Ugh! Do you have a video that addresses this in any way?
Some things Cas and others have mentioned that have really helped me with those same issues are: - Setting a daily reminder with an alarm to clutter clear for 5 (or 10 or...) minutes - "Temptation Bundling" clutter clearing before something I already enjoy doing regularly - The Onion Method of looking for things that are easy to let go of first rather than trying to declutter any area to completion all at once (garbage, recycling, things that trigger bad feelings...) - Taking a photo and looking at it rather than the actual space weirdly makes it easier for me to identify what can go. - Having a "Time will tell" bin with a date on it and the calendar for things you *think* you're ready to let go of but can't quite yet. I still have huge amounts of clutter to go, but being able to look at parts of my house and see oases of clutter-free calm really has made me happier, less stressed, and more confident. < : - ) Good luck and godspeed! : - )
My mom use to pack up everything and take it to Mexico to give to her family members. Some things she kept for the younger siblings. We went though a time after her divorce where we lacked a lot of basic needs. She tried her best and once we kids were old enough to work we helped her and ourselves. But she hoarded new items. When she passed we found lots of brand new clothes, under garments, hosiery. It made me a little sad. But she had trouble wearing the new stuff. She would just keep wearing the same old ripped pair of pants. I know the “lack of” mentality definitely affects me. And I think my dad and his sister are hoarders. So all this affects me to am extent. Do I have OCD or ADD? Probably. 😂
I loved this podcast! There were some things that I wanted to highlight but as a burnt out not yet diagnosed audd I don't remember them. :) I wouldn't mind listening to more of these from the two of you.
It's so true that mindset matters, and my mind is made up to cross my clutter threshold and claim the prize of a calmer, easier to maintain house! ⭐🏆⭐🤩 Thanks for this, and for normalizing ADHD! ❤
I was in first grade and because I struggling to keep my mouth shut or pay attention not interrupt other kids or distract the teacher took my desk put me in front of the chalkboard so I was facing towards everyone and her, I generally of giggle at it, I think mainly as of way to poke fun of my self and what I still struggle with. Looking back, I am grateful that I am not one to get extremely embarrassed or very shy, at school. I have never seen it as a punishment and I really don’t think it was, however, to be isolated in the hallway is harsh and I and sorry. I know others have gone through some severe mistreatment due to having ADHD and the symptoms that come along with them. I am 38 (diagnosed as a teenager, didn’t start treatment- off and on- until late 20s early 30s, sensitive to meds and struggling to find the right one still). I am so very glad there’s more awareness now so that our children, all ages honestly, can have more resources! (Please pardon any and all grammar spelling issues)
Thanks for talking about ADHD. I've mentioned it to my doctor several times and she includes it in the notes from our appointment. But she doesn't seem at all interested in it when I say it. I don't know. But I definitely feel like I have it. I think I might try some supplements to see if I can get my chronic multitasking busyness under control. 🤷🏼♀️
Wow! I took notes as I was listening to you ladies discussing these important topics. I can see myself in much of this discussion: 1) In 4th grade, I learned the Dewey Decimal system because I was continually sent to the Library to shelve books. This kept me from the incessant talking/ wandering. 2) I now understand the basis for my sugar addiction! 3) My daughter still teases me about finding gifts I've hidden and forgot about! 4) The fact that I can drink iced tea (black & green mix) all the time & still fall asleep at night was a mystery to me until now. 5) I never thought I was very "hyperactive", so the internalizing of ADD makes perfect sense to me. And pairing that w/OCD....need I say more? 6) I totally believe I was drawn to minimalism because of my inability to cope with clutter. The less inventory there is to manage, the fewer decisions there are to make and the less visual clutter there is see, the happier and calmer I am. Knowing I am SO not alone helps me feel better about myself. Thank you Cas & Robyn!❤
One way I am trying to declutter is unique. I have a wood stove for my heat source when there's a power outage. However, I have COPD, a breathing issue. This means I can't burn the stove, and the power company is coming to remove some trees in my yard that are endangering power lines. The service costs me zero. Since I don't want the wood, I'm going to ask some people from church to come split and stack the wood and then donate it as a prize for the church fundraiser. The rest of my firewood will be given to my fabulous neighbors because it will rot otherwise.
Curious Cass @clutterbugpodcast ……. which monster are you? My mission, I wanna merge my #clutterbug & #cluttermonster this week, ya know since we have a family vacay coming up in 5 days, my ridiculous-hot-mess-house goals are totally obtainable 🤪🙄🤣
Thanks for discussing adult adhd . My younger brother was diagnosed at 50 and I am curious about the possibility of me having that as well. I was diagnosed with schizoid affective disorder but I am fine with the medication I have been taking however my anxiety levels are pretty high. Tried medication for anxiety but didn't help much.
Its important to note on this topic of ADHD/ADD that CPTSD can mimic the symptoms, but the treatment doesn't work. I have all the same challenges that you're describing, but coffee does stimulate me. I cant stand sugar and candy (though i do love chocolate, who doesnt). Having actual ADHD is valid, as is the fact that people are over-diagnosed and over-medicated when they DONT have it and that makes people wary. Im so glad you found your diagnosis and that it helped you. You are such a wonderful person and i love your videos!
Sooo, I was thinking about hiring someone to help me declutter BUT I thought about how much money I'd get if I sold all my crap and the amount was about even. My setbacks are that I doubt I'd ever try to sell the stuff so that thought makes it easier for me to donate.
In the 60's they didn't diagnose those things. I just thought I was a dumb kid that was lazy. If you are overweight, you are lazy, so the world says. When I focusedI can work circles around the people that say those things. Thanks Cas
TV and kids not playing in nature progressed to computer screens, smart phones, etc. Now this generation coming into the world has had their brains completely wired differently. Why no studies on this comparing kids in different cultures/lifestyles? Are drugs going to be the final solution?
On one hand decluttering seems like a slap in God's face because god bless us with those things. And now we're just getting rid of them and even sometimes throwing them in the trash. Sometimes it feels like an insulting God. When I declare the things he's blessed me with
We were homeless when I was in 2nd grade. Since we're poor, was told so many times 'no' when asked to have something. Was also stepchild, and made to be reminded that I was the stepchild.
People diagnosed with ADHD need stimulation. Our brains are under-stimulated! Hence the sugar cravings, however when I've been getting my proteins I don't crave sugar, and my ADHD symptoms are better!
Cas, Thank you so much for addressing ADHD! I saw your video with the ADHD expert and it sounded so much like me that I talked to my doctor. Sure enough, yesterday at the age of 40 I was tested and diagnosed for ADHD. I would never have even thought about it had you not done that video. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Great podcast - I related to the adhd segment (I'm diagnosed with autism, adhd combine type and OCD) and my hyperactivity is mostly mental although I do stim alot. I liked Robin's tip about laying down for 20 mins and letting your brain whirr in the hope it doesn't happen at bedtime. I will just add to please look into Temu - they have been found to have an extremely high risk of using slave and child labour (as has Shien). If something is too cheap, it's usually because someone is not being paid properly (or in Temu's case, at all) for their work. I think this is one to boycott personally.
Great podcast. I think I am a procrastination pixie, but I need to find out if I have other creatures in my head. The things you shared may be directed to others with ADHD but were useful to me also. I appreciate the permission you give us to think differently and move that mindset one step closer to minimalism. Thanks for having Robyn as she is very knowledgeable and I am glad she is back on RU-vid.
Great discussion. It's so good to educate about ADHD so people have a chance to recognize it in their loved ones or co-workers or even themselves! So sorry it was not recognized earlier for you both. Glad you have developed ways to thrive and help others
The fact that Robyn went to nursing school when her kids were 5,3 &1 people don't realize that's makes her Wonder Woman. I had only a 1 year old, the help of my grandmom who lived with me and was retired who practically raised him for me along with his father. But me even just having 1 and living under my mothers roof I barely made it by from the skin of my teeth with tons of tears, stress, studying every single night and retaking a lot of tests. Living in the tutoring center and leaving at 5:30am and mot getting home until 8 pm and when a big test was coming up, 10 or 11pm. It's is the hardest thing ever. Kudos to you Robyn for getting through that with your nursing degree, you really deserve an award lol
So who diagnoses a person with ADHD? Cas everything you thought of yourself rang so true with me, I'm in tears. I'm 60 & so paralyzed regarding the clutter. I want "me" back, and my house too.
I lived with my husband for 50 years, who was a hoarder, The older he got the worse he got,. It's a long sad story because he was also bipolar and ADHD, When he died he had already gotten rid if a lot of stuff. But, I'm hanging on to some things and I'm not sure what to do. Now I'm living with my daughter and her husband. My daughter takes after her father and likes to keep things. Now they are having a baby in a couple of months. I'm excited to be a grandmother, but I know it means more and more stuff in our 3 bedroom apartment. I'm 72 years old, does it ever get better??? I feel that I.was always the one to get rid od my stuff to make room for everyone else's things!
I'm just listening to this podcast again and something clicked.... "stimulants calms you down". When I tried to be on the same diet as my mom and brother, they said I should not drink a certain powder more than half a teaspoon and never after 12:00 since I qould not be able to sleep...... I could drink a spoon full at 18:00 and still sleep like a baby. Alcohol on the other side, keeps me awake. Is this a common thing for ADHD?
29:54 I’m a 90s kid! I had a beanie baby collection, and collections were so in vogue. I think there’s more to it, but it does help explain my hoarder tendencies. I never put that together before!
Dont have ADHD but I depend on planners and multiple phone reminders! We all need different tools to do somethings or struggle at things that are just automatic for others. Compassion goes a long way and I am all about learning new ways to think or tools to be sucessful. Some of us cant just "do" the Nike slogan. We are still learning how to manage our homes and lives like we dream will one day be a reality!
There are a lot of us who have adhd without the hyperactivity component. Thats specifically what my kids and I were diagnosed with. It isn't as common as the other form of adhd and its genetic.
Unfollowing has helped. I never used to think of myself lacking self control but there is something about seeing things on here and just a split second thinking I needed. Then it arrives. Im not loving it. Money wasted. I love all of what you share on here giving encouragement to declutter. That gives a lot of clarity of what i really need for my home. More intent and control shopping.
