The two words that you’ll never hear me use.

There are two words you’ll never hear me use.

Not unless they are in context, and relevant to the subject of conversation.

Minimalist

And

Hoarder.

The first word seems to strike fear into your heart.

The second word is casually, and chronically overused.

When it comes to using descriptive language to communicate how we live in our spaces, it’s really easy to use strongly emotive language. Especially if you’re feeling a bit sheepish or embarrassed about it.

“Lol, I’m such a HOARDER”.

Well, you aren’t. Otherwise you wouldn’t be laughing about it, and you probably wouldn’t be admitting it to me quite so easily. Or at all.

Let it be known- I am not a minimalist, and you are (likely) not a hoarder.

I say to people- I struggle. Just like you do.

I love my things. I am a colourful person, I don’t think I would be happy to live in a space that did not aesthetically reflect that. I’m also naturally messy.

So many of you are the same, and I think that is what stops you from reaching out to a Professional Organiser. You’re terrified that I will judge your space, think that you’re a failure of a human and take away everything that makes your soul happy.

I promise you, nothing is further from the truth.

Take away what does NOT bring you joy, LEAVE the beautiful things that make you happy. Have an entire house full of awesome stuff to enjoy, and ONLY things you enjoy, and make your home work for you.

That’s one scary word out of the way, now to tackle this other awkward word.

Folks, you need to stop using the word hoarding.

We, as humans love to COLLECT. We love to line our nests with things that make us happy, and secure. Sometimes that creates clutter. Sometimes it makes you feel a little… bamboozled.

So when you reach out to a professional, in an industry that is really quite new in New Zealand and ask for help- it’s REALLY easy to be self-deprecating, (just in case you really are a hoarder, at least you’ve warned me, right!?).

Your love of handbags and a bulging linen cupboard does not make you a hoarder. You may have many things, you may be disorganised and messy, or love collecting beautiful things. That is not hoarding.

Compulsive Hoarding Disorder is a debilitating and life-affecting disorder, that I see quite strongly linked to other neurodiversity. It is not a moral failure. I empathise with people who suffer from this- I am simply not trained to work in this field.

(As an aside- here is a link to some more info on Complusive Hoarding Disorder- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/hoarding-disorder/).

You can quite cheerfully call yourself a maximalist. That’s an aesthetic. It’s a choice you have made, and an aesthetic that brings you joy. It can be chaotic, it may even negatively impact your well-being at times.

These are the two extremes of a spectrum. You are, most likely; somewhere in between- and it is totally valid to feel overwhelmed at any point.

Let’s learn new language that explains the feeling discomfort with the amount of belongings in our homes, despite our love of them, and the feelings of insecurity that come with the thoughts of letting them go.

A Professional Organiser will help to support you to live in your home in a way that is comfortable for you. You’re (probably) not a hoarder, and I’m (definitely) not a minimalist.

What words can you think of as an alternative to being a ‘hoarder’?