My latest tv discovery, about a month or so ago, is a show called Hoarders that airs on A&E on Monday nights at 10:00pm. I must confess I am a little bit addicted. If you don't already know, each episode profiles two individuals that are compulsive hoarders. Most times the person is on the verge of losing their home, their children, or both. Psychologists, professional organizers, and professional cleaners are all called in to help.
Whenever I watch an episode it makes me feel 2 things:
1. sad and sorry for the people the show is about
2. the urge to hop up off the couch and clean and declutter
I can't help but feel sympathy/empathy for these people. Some people may not understand the mentality of hoarding and just yell at the tv screen, Just throw it out already! It's trash! What's the problem?! But I am able to put myself in their shoes. I think about what it must feel like to live like that. I think it's a psychological issue and the person isn't exactly living that way by choice. I feel very bad that the person may lose their home or their family may be split apart.
I also can't help but want to completely declutter every counter top, table, closet, etc. in my entire house. Even if my house is currently in a pretty decent state. There's usually something that could be put away or organized or scrubbed down. The show really speaks to my perfectionist side.
I would be remiss if I wrote a post about Hoarders and didn't come clean and admit that I definitely have some hoarding tendencies. I think this is part of the reason why i am fascinated with the show. I have it well under control, but it takes a conscious effort, and sometimes I need reminders from those around me. Through nature or nuture, I blame my mom. :)
Have you seen Hoarders? What do you think? Are you a hoarder yourself, or maybe the exact opposite?
I have seen the show and also find it fascinating. I also feel sympathy for the folks on the show but then also feel like getting up and cleaning after I watch it (I've only caught it a few times). I also like to watch Intervention and the two shows are really similar in how they profile a disease and its repercussions.
I definitely don't have hoarder tendencies - if anything, I throw things out too early - but there's something about the show that really makes you understand the depth of the emotional issue underlying the hoarding.
Ah yes, Intervention. I have only caught that one a few times but it is another compelling one.