Hoarders of Long Island New York...Can you use some FREE Help?
Hoarding is becoming a more serious problem on Long Island NY. There are many people who have such a difficult time letting go of objects that they begin to clutter their home. These items are usually saved because they "may be needed at another time" or a person or persons feels some kind of connection to them.
There is a certain amount of ‘safety' in keeping things around. Unfortunately, it is an issue that often becomes out of control. Their items begin to take over their lives. There is often shame and guilt associated with the Hoarding of objects. Hoarders may stop inviting people over and often feel hopeless and helpless.
As New York Feng Shui consultants we have worked with several Hoarders. I would like to say I've had success with all of them but I haven't. I can explain things from a Feng Shui Perspective as in the case of one lovely Long Island couple who called us in to help "organize."
In Feng Shui, Energy RISES. The energy of things stored in a basement will affect you in a number of ways, even if you are on another level. Also think of what is "hanging over your head" with storage in the attic. This can keep you stuck in life as many Long Island NY hoarders feel.
Before we could organize, I had to help them learn to part with items they believed to be treasured. In every room it was difficult to walk and their beautiful young son could not invite his friends over. As we went from room to room we were able to explain the damaging effects from a Feng Shui Perspective.
Finally, we got some boxes out of the car. Carefully we went through just one small part of the home....the Dining Room table and chairs. They hadn't been able to eat a meal there in as long as they could remember. Sorting through the objects on the table and chairs we were able to discard some things. Others we put in a "donation" box and the remaining items we kept but put away.
This inspired this Long Island family to stop hoarding and begin to clean up and let go. I'd receive frequent updates about their progress from them and I was delighted. Hoarding is a sensitive issue but there IS help.
Cleaning one SMALL area can make a huge difference in getting clutter under control. This Long Island family felt the difference immediately and it inspired them to keep cleaning up and out!
Recently, Laura Cerrano of http://FengShuiManhattan.com received an inquiry from a news station who would like to team up and offer their services as well to a person or family on Long Island NY who has been hoarding or unable to let go of things. In addition to Feng Shui for this Long Island home, there will be 10 additional days of organizational assistance.
Further, in order to keep your home clean and organized additional free help will be provided as follow up services. There is absolutely no charge for all of the services and you will be treated with the utmost care and respect.
Any family or individual on Long Island that has been finding themselves buried in "clutter" or hoarding objects is welcome to contact us for these free services. You will begin to live a new life and will learn about Feng Shui, Organizing and a safe and happy household.
For further information, please contact New York Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano at (516) 528-3843 or email FengShuiLI@aol.com. All contacts are confidential.
New York Feng Shui Consultants Carole Provenzale and Laura Cerrano are a mother/daughter Feng Shui Consulting team available for on site Feng Shui/Design Consultations on Long Island, New York City - Manhattan - Queens, NY and the Tri State Area. For further information please visit http://www.FengShuiLI.com
Every city needs this HELP! We are a society of material possessions. Too bad we can not be a society of relationships and let the material objects go the way of the dinosaur. Thanks for the post!
Interesting post and reasons for all of us to release some of our unused possessions so others can enjoy them.
Carole..Will you come to Philadelphia?????? This is what I am doing now...very timely post!..Thank you
HELPFULHANNAH
Life feels better, looks better and IS better when clutter is gone and/or under control. Your world becomes a brighter space. :0) And with you at the helm of helping declutter, this family is going to be very lucky indeed!
I have a close friend with this problem. She see's it but can't confront it. We all love her dispite the issue. After seeing a few TV programs on the subject I now realize how difficult the problem can be.
I have this type of tendancy.. and I am much better when I declutter.. it is a freeing experience.
Great post Carole! This is a problem that needs more exposure and goes un-noticed.
Carole, I am a hoarder and a pack rat and I can't even let go of my clothes, or books I've read that I loved, I have papers everywhere! I wished we lived closer together!!!
Hello Carole. This is a wonderful FREE service you are offering. We can sense your care and concern for those trapped with their clutter. We have become so excessive as a society and can easily acquire extra stuff... my husband has this type of habit... and after almost 16 years of marriage, it has crept upon me too, and i do NOT like it at all! I know your clients appreciate you.
Carole, I have seen several shows on the disorder of Hoarding...it is a terrible thing, paralyzing people. What a great thing to help people through that. I don't like clutter, it makes me unsettled. Today after our Sunday dinner, my kids and I went through some old stuff sorting into piles of keep, sell and give away. It feels good to purge.
Carole -- so true about the energy drain of hoading and clutter. When my desk, or office is cluttered with paper and files and odds and ends -- I find myself going around and around, in circles almost. The minute I start getting through a stack of paper - -voila! energy gets freed up, and I can move. Keep reminding us! I am sure I am probably not the only one who needs a nudge now and then - -
Carole, it is so easy to accumulate stuffs, it always get out of hand before we know it. I try to get rid of some things every now and then, never have enough room to store them. Over accumulation can drain your energy, because it takes energy to clean them out, haha. Thanks for reminding us.
OMG - I understand that this is a serious problem for some - I just makes me antsy seeing the picture above! I used to keep things because I thought they held memories, then I realized that the physical object wasn't the memory at all. I can see how clutter could REALLY mess up a persons focus, energy, and make them feel stifled. I used to watch Clean Sweep when it was on years ago and my son and I "play" it twice a year with his stuff.
Carole,
I suspect there are many "layers" of hoarding and I think most of us fit into one of them. I saw a program recently on tv on the subject and a point was brought out that I had never thought about: the dust, dust mites trapped in items stored for long periods of time and how that can affect one's health.
Hi Carole,
Beautifully written article. You have inspired me to clean up the clutter in my office this day! Clutter does really dampen efficiency and creativity. Thanks and have a great week.
Carole, any chance you can tape the TV broadcast part and post it on You Tube, and provide us with a link from your post? It would be fun to see Laura and you in action!
Carole,
Just had a closing on a condo that I viewed as the "clutter capitol of the free world." Only when I saw an ad for the Hoarders reality show did it dawn on me that this could be a serious problem for someone.
May the newscast boost business for you and Laura!
Carole, what a truly amazing impact you have on peoples' lives. This is a great example of your caring and patience and expertise in Feng Shui. I had never thought about the negative energy related to hoarding. BTW, I am finally meeting with our Feng Shui expert in the greater Charlotte area this Wednesday. I will let you know how it goes!
Carole - as a hoarder myself, I know how hard it is to let go of things. Great explanation of how it helps to declutter.
Carole, hoarding, apparently, is a huge problem. Even Dr. Oz has touched on the subject lately. It's not something people can easily stop doing. It's a medical issue that takes time and patience...
It all starts with people WANTING help, though.
Ann, I'm sorry there is so much shame associated with this illness. It can be overcome with a lot of work, though and people feel SO much better!
Laxson Associates, We could certainly be helping others while helping ourselves. I have seen people donate their items to some very needly families and it's a win/win situation.
Hannah, Use the old rule...lighten up by three things for every one thing you bring into the house. I cleaned my desk this morning and even that feels good :)
Martha, I do hope they take advantage of it. It's not only our help but the best of free help from other organizers and they're items will be donated or taken away for free.
Dena, It is a difficult problem but becoming more prevailant. When people want help they need to know it's out there and it's FREE. They don't have to live that life any longer.
Joan, It feels SO good. All clutter and the removal of it is a huge Feng Shui principle to allow new Energy IN....but this issue goes beyond clutter and has to be addressed from several different methods so it doesn't return.
Jackie, I know it doesn't get enough attention. I hope people realize they don't have to live that kind of life and when they are ready for help, it's available.
Susan, Oh, my friend, you and I would have fun while we lightened up your space! I'm a good motivator and I know you could do it!
Diane, We often have to address real clutter issues in Feng Shui. Until we can get our clients to clean up and let go, there is no room for new Energy. A recent home had clutter only in ONE area....their money area. That hit home for them and you can bet they're going to clean it out.
Debbie, It really does feel good to let go. I have had to do so much of it lately and I don't mind at all...I actually find the less things I have around the better I feel.
Alexsandra, I just cleaned my desk again this morning. It wasn't bad at all, I just can't stand papers and things left out.
Rita, I used to store my things in the basement. When it flooded I had to let go of so many things, some of them precious to me. Now I realize it's not the "things" that matter at all...it's the people.
Leesa, That was just clutter...not hoarding. And I minimized it so there is nothing identifiable in it. But cleaning ONE little area made a huge difference for this family and it worked. They were able to clean out and let go and they had so many good things come into their lives.
Cynthia, Some things we can't do much about. Dust mites are one of them no matter how clean we are (although they do have a new technology that freezes them--they come right back). I'm speaking more of the people who literally can't walk through their home because it is filled floor to ceiling. It's an extreme case and yes, there are many levels.
Bruce, I'm glad I inspired someone to clean...I did it most of the morning myself! It it airs I certainly will annouce it and thank you for asking.
Irene, This problem should become more nationally known. Lately it has gotten more media because some people really see there is help out there and the help works.
Diane, I am thrilled, what a wonderful combo to possibly add to your business. In all respect please find someone who also knows Western Methods so there are always methods and "cures" to fix a home or business your client loves.
Mike, It does help to let go and allow new things to come into our lives. I've seen it when I've done it in my own home.
Sylvie, It is not at ALL easy for hoarder to stop their compulsion. That's why we're hoping this program works....Not just Feng Shui but Organizers and mental heath experts to follow up and break this "addiction" to provide real help.
Carole: Hoarding can be damaging on so many levels. I'm glad you hear that your Feng Shui consultation and gentle nudging helped your clients to start working through their clutter issues.
Michelle, It is so damaging and maybe it's the exposure that we're hearing of it more and more. It does help to explain and show clients the possibilities but they do need follow ups to ensure they stay focused and clutter free.
Carole, they say if you move a lot it can cure you of being a pack rat, but then some people just move the boxes around...
Carole congratulations on Laura Cerrano and your project!
Carole - this is an excellent post, and thanks for the information about energy. I enjoy reading your posts, and this will motivate me to de-cluttered and organized.
Hoarding can be such a problem for both Feng Shui consultants and Realtors trying to list a home for sale.
Once again, I can now apply what I've learned from your posts into my daily work life.
Gary, We're hoping to help people do more than just move boxes around..hopefully move them out side or even donate the extra items.
Gabriela, Thank you, we are still hoping that an individual will come forward so we can help them.
Sharon, I'm glad to hear that this has inspired you to De-clutter!
Craig, As a Realtor agent and Feng Shui Consultant we can only suggest ways in how to improve their situation...its ultimately up to them if they truly want to change the energy in their home to move forward.
That looks like a typical Southern California attic. Or garage for that matter.
Reminds me of George Carlin who said that our homes are merely places to store all of our stuff while we go to work to make more money so we can buy more stuff. Except that he used a few choice words for "stuff."
Carole, you are clearly in the business of changing lives! Sometimes I can wonder about the "meaningfulness" of dressing up houses just to sell them (one perspective), but then again, in the process people are treated with dignity, helped through a stressful time of their lives with compassion, and maybe even given a whole new freedom they never even could have imagined!
Carole,
You never stop amazing me! What an excellent post about a sensitive subject. A relative of mine was a hoarder, you could hardly walk in her home. It really is a disease and can take over a person's life. This is an excellent service you are offering.
-Kate