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

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Join me as I delve into wishcycling and the connection between hoarding and sustainable practices.

On this episode of Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder, I dive into the topic of wishcycling and how it relates to hoarding. I explore the concept of repairing and upcycling as effective ways to extend the lifespan of items, discussing the difference between repairing and intending to repair. I learn about the importance of following through with repair plans and setting deadlines.

Wishcycling, the act of putting non-recyclable items in recycling bins, is the main topic of discussion. I explore common items that are often wishcycled, such as plastic bags and crisp/chip packets, and the negative impact it can have I highlight the recycling initiative TerraCycle, which offers recycling programs for difficult-to-recycle items.

I emphasise the 5 Rs and how hoarders can focus on reducing consumption to tackle overwhelm in their homes. I also discuss the potential distractions these can pose for hoarders and the importance of prioritising oneself, the home, and the people we live with over broken or damaged items.

I also look at the uncertainty surrounding recyclable items and the complexities of the recycling process, emphasising the need to question if we really need something before acquiring it.

Topics:

• Definition of wishcycling and its negative effects

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'If you had told me on March 30, 2021, when I put up two episodes of me rambling into my phone, that two-and a-bit years later, I would have 100 episodes live, I would have over 100,000 downloads, I would have had an array of amazing guests, I would never have believed you.'

- Celebration of the podcast's 100th episode and over 100,000 downloads

- Gas man visit as an opportunity to assess progress

- Importance of talking about difficult topics and dismantling stigmas

- Power of experimentation, curiosity, and strategic questioning

- Recognizing the negative impact of self-criticism

- Understanding that beating yourself up prevents action

- Importance of addressing underlying patterns and reasons behind hoarding behaviors

- Creativity and unconventional strategies may be necessary in overcoming hoarding tendencies.

- Importance of asking strategic questions in decision-making

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

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- https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/darling

- https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/podquestions

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- Help out: http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/support-this-project/

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

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On this episode, I dive into why hoarders are so fixated on stuff. Joining me is Dr Jan Eppingstall, who looks into the theory of transitional objects developed by Winnicott and how they shape our attachment styles. We explore how these objects serve as a source of comfort and self-soothing, representing our primary caregiver. Jan discusses how uncertainty can lead to people-pleasing and masking of emotions. We also learn about the impact of insecure attachment on hoarding behaviours and the role of belongings in forging connections and fulfilling our emotional needs. We also discuss the complex interaction between genetics and environment in hoarding tendencies. Tune in for a deep dive into the psychological factors behind our attachment to our possessions.

- Transitional object theory by Winnicott

- The role of transitional objects in comforting children, representing the primary caregiver

- How transitional objects help children become independent and manage separation anxiety

- Uncertainty and people-pleasing behaviours

- Excessive attachment to belongings stemming from childhood experiences

- Attachment styles and secure and insecure attachment

- Using possessions to gain power, impress others, make connections

- Attachment theory and its impact on hoarding behaviours

- The use of possessions to forge connections

- Possessions as non-confrontational and not disappointing compared to people

- Attachment insecurity linked to negative thoughts about self-worth, shame, and unstable identity

- Growing up in a hoard leading to disorganised attachment and attachment trauma

- Understanding why people attach meaning to possessions

- Possessions reflecting aspects of personality, intelligence, or past achievements

- Ambivalent sense of self in hoarding and its relation to identity struggles

- Common themes for hoarding: avoiding negative emotions, holding onto past happiness, validating past pain

- Factors contributing to hoarding: instinctual nature of stockpiling and inability to avoid engaging with possessions

- Coping mechanisms, their classifications as acceptable or unacceptable, and the tipping point to excessive behaviours

- John Bowlby's attachment theory and its focus on distress and anxiety in babies when separated from primary caregiver

- Influence of early separation on psychological well-being, based on experimental studies during the Blitz

- The role of transitional object attachment

- Mary Ainsworth's extension of Bowlby's research through the Strange Situation experiments

- Identification of secure attachment and three types of insecure attachment: anxious, avoidant, and disorganised

- Hoarding tendencies being more common among first degree relatives

- Chromosome regions associated with hoarding, but no clear susceptibility genes identified

- Limited support for a genetic predisposition to hoarding

- Disproven hypotheses about hoarding and scarcity or deprivation

- The interaction between nature (genetics) and nurture (environment)

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Topics covered:

- The power and potential of curiosity in hoarding

- The benefits of changing beliefs and embracing new perspectives

- Admitting mistakes and apologising as a less stressful alternative

- The importance of admitting when you don’t know something

- Using curiosity to understand why tasks or environments seem impossible

- How therapy can increase curiosity and explore hoarding thoughts and patterns

- Accepting uncertainty and unanswered questions

- Being open to new experiences

- The positive impact of curiosity on mental health and personal growth

- Seeking out new information, different perspectives, and asking questions

- Examples of curiosity, such as exploring fears or understanding others' experiences

- Embracing creativity as a way to foster curiosity

- Engaging with people from different backgrounds and life stories

- Encouraging open communication, learning, and challenging assumptions

- The importance of trying new things multiple times before forming an opinion

- Deepening connections through a curious outlook

- Strategies to encourage curiosity, like treating tasks as experiments

- Framing dehoarding tasks as an experiment

- The effectiveness of the curious and experimental mindset in dehoarding

- Thinking outside the box for a more creative and innovative outlook

- Acceptance of different people and ideas through curiosity

- Adding depth to life through trying new things and learning

- Being present and engaged through attention to details

- Learning from mistakes and cultivating personal growth through curiosity

- Feeling safe to make mistakes and explore for curiosity to thrive

- The numerous benefits of developing a curious outlook

- Opening up communication and expanding one's world through exploration

- The ripple effect of bravery and curiosity on other aspects of life

For the full show notes and transcript for this episode, visit the website at http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/

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"Don't fall into the temptation of having a box for any old miscellaneous thing that doesn't have an obvious home, because I think that leads to the same problem you've already got, just in boxes instead of spread around the house or instead of on the floor or instead of where things currently are."

• Dealing with miscellaneous items without an obvious home or purpose

For the full show notes and transcript for this episode, visit the website at Overcome Compulsive Hoarding / http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/

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There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about hoarding and hoarding disorder and hoarders and how much people misunderstand this weird condition.

And so I started jotting down some of them as I thought of them and I also asked on various different social channels what myths and misconceptions you heard a lot and which ones annoyed you the most and wow, you feel as strongly as I do about there being a lot of them around.

So I have narrowed it down to 15 and I'm going to talk you through them and how they manifest and why they are wrong.

For the full show notes and transcript for this episode, visit the website at Overcome Compulsive Hoarding / http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/

Become a Dehoarding Darlinghttps://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/darling

Questions to ask when dehoarding: https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/podquestions

Twitter: @ThatHoarder

Mastodon: @[email protected]

TikTok: @thathoarderoch https://www.tiktok.com/@thathoarderoch

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YouTube: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSxMqB_fGckbGOQZpkl6l9g

Reddit: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder / https://www.reddit.com/r/overcomehoarding/

Help out: Support this project / http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/support-this-project/

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"They very much do in their mind feel like they're saving the animal. And many times they are the person who truly did save that animal that they found on a highway. That they took an animal from a place that was objectively unsafe for the animal and brought them into their home. And I think where the disconnect happens is the person's insight into whether or not their home is the right home for that animal." - Dr Mary Dozier

For the full show notes and transcript for this episode, visit the website at Overcome Compulsive Hoarding / http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/

Become a Dehoarding Darling https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/darling

Questions to ask when dehoarding: https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/podquestions

Twitter: @ThatHoarder

Mastodon: @[email protected]

TikTok: @thathoarderoch https://www.tiktok.com/@thathoarderoch

Facebook: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder / https://www.facebook.com/Overcome-Compulsive-Hoarding-with-That-Hoarder-104370761703319

Pinterest: That Hoarder / https://www.pinterest.com/ThatHoarder

YouTube: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSxMqB_fGckbGOQZpkl6l9g

Reddit: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder / https://www.reddit.com/r/overcomehoarding/

Help out: Support this project / http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/support-this-project/

Support the show

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