That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding

#110 Do you own your stuff or does it own you? Freeing yourself and your home with Jasmine Sleigh, author of Being Owned

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For the transcript for this episode, visit http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk

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Jasmine Sleigh is a professional declutterer and has spent the past decade helping people to free up space. She focuses not only on physical belongings but also on the emotional and psychological aspects of decluttering. In today's episode, Jasmine likens her role to a dance, where she carefully navigates through uncertainties and potential triggers for her clients and stresses the importance of providing support and encouragement throughout the decluttering process.


We also discuss Jasmine's book, Being Owned: A Decade in Professional Decluttering, where she expands on the concepts discussed in this episode. Let's dive into the world of decluttering with Jasmine Sleigh.


  • Facilitating crafts and donating unused items.
  • Professional decluttering: a personal and people-centric approach
  • Handling belongings requires adaptability and improvisation
  • Sort out space, prioritise essentials, declutter
  • Understanding lives through belongings; an intimate job
  • Stuff has power, can be moved
  • Keep belongings accessible for ease of use
  • Helping people achieve their goals is the key
  • Positive actions in a cost of living crisis
  • Jasmine wanted to write a book about her experiences as a professional declutterer, focusing on the poignant stories of her clients and celebrating her achievements
  • She also felt frustrated by people's misconceptions about the job
  • The importance of using and sharing possessions, especially in the context of crafting and hobbies.
  • Jasmine can only go as far as clients are willing to let her
  • Training others has further shaped her understanding
  • Emotional attachments and recent purchases may require more distance
  • The power of belongings and the impact they can have
  • Ensuring easy access and a comfortable living environment for individuals is the main priority
  • Goal is to make people happier in their homes
  • Using resources for good and the availability of second-hand items in a crisis
  • Sorting through belongings and determining their importance in one's life narrative
  • The Unpredictability of the Job
  • Need for adaptability in dealing with unexpected situations
  • Describing the job as a "dance" due to uncertainties and triggers
  • Being present and flexible in the moment, avoiding over-preparation
  • Ineffectiveness of threats and negative consequences
  • The Process of Decluttering
  • Recognising that there is no quick fix or magic solution
  • Examples of finding forgotten items
  • Belongings becoming overwhelming and causing a burden
  • The ability to move and rearrange belongings to improve the situation
  • Different levels of difficulty in letting go of different types of items
  • Sorting out keepsakes at different life stages
  • Importance of having hobbies and engaging in creative activities
  • Creating a space to pursue hobbies and finish projects
  • Passing on unused items for sustainability and resource usage
  • Power dynamics surrounding objects
  • Giving individuals agency to make choices about possessions
  • Stories of reengagement and finding joy in personal belongings
  • Being attuned to people and focused on their well-being
  • Maturation and increased understanding after 10 years of working
  • Importance of the home as a sanctuary for wellbeing



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