The Honest Truth: My Journey from Hoarding to Healing

4:30 am. The house is quiet, save for the gentle hum of the coffee maker. As I cradle my steaming mug, I’m hit with a wave of emotions. Today’s not just any day – it’s home appraisal day. And let me tell you, it’s been quite the journey getting here.

First things first: this isn’t your typical, picture-perfect Instagram post. This is raw, this is real, and it might just get a little messy. But that’s okay because life isn’t always filtered and flawless.

As we’ve been preparing for this appraisal (while still living here, mind you), I’ve had some serious revelations. Buckle up, because we’re diving deep into some personal growth territory.

Confession #1: I’m a Borderline Hoarder
There, I said it. It’s not easy to admit, but it’s the truth. This tendency stems from some pretty tough times in our past when we lost almost everything. The fear of not having enough became deeply ingrained, manifesting in an overwhelming need to “stock up.”

The wake-up call? Tossing $1500 worth of groceries after a hurricane. I had been “stocking up” out of fear, and it all went to waste. It was a harsh lesson, but a necessary one.

Now, I’m on a mission. Purging, letting go, and learning to trust that we’ll have what we need when we need it. It’s an ongoing process, and we’ve still got a ways to go even after this appraisal. I’m incredibly grateful for my husband’s unwavering support through this journey. He’s been my rock, gently encouraging me to let go of things we don’t need.

Confession #2: Network Marketing Overload
I love supporting local businesses and friends. It’s part of who I am. But over the years, this passion led to an accumulation of unused products from various ventures. We’ve been trying to sell items for years – JIC jewelry, Lilla Rose clips, Origami Owl pieces – often for just $1 each. Many ended up being donated.

This experience is why I’m now so careful about the business opportunities I choose. I’ve opted for a company where I don’t need to stock up on products. While I still believe in supporting others, we’re being much more mindful about what we bring into our home. (P.S. If anyone’s interested, I still have some things I’m selling or gifting!)

Our New Mantra: Experiences Over Stuff
We’re shifting our focus from accumulating things to creating memories. Don’t get me wrong, my kids still need clothes! But when I realized we had enough to clothe half the upstate, I knew something had to change.

I’m so proud of my kids for embracing this new mindset. They each have a toy bucket, and we’ve implemented a “one in, one out” policy for Christmas gifts. It’s teaching them valuable lessons about generosity and living with less.

The Reality Check
Here’s a hard truth I’ve had to swallow: You can’t completely organize a house in 1-2 weeks before an appraisal. 🤦‍♀️ It just isn’t possible. Our “tiny home” has its challenges, especially for a family of 4 plus 4 cats. But you know what? It’s ours, and I’m grateful.

As we navigate this process, I’m learning to trust God more. I believe He’ll provide and guide us through necessary home improvements and, eventually, a move to a space that better suits our needs.

A Time for Forgiveness and Growth
This week has been humbling. I’ve had to ask for forgiveness – from God and from my family. I ignored things for too long, and it affected our health and our home. But we’re not dwelling in guilt. Instead, we’re moving forward, working together to establish new routines and daily chores.

I’m helping our kids understand the importance of these habits, hoping to break the cycle and prevent things from building up again. It’s a learning process for all of us, but we’re in it together.

Imperfect Progress
I’m not a perfect mom – far from it. I’m learning and growing every single day. Opening up like this is tough because I never wanted people to see this side of me. But I’ve realized that I need accountability and prayers as we continue on this journey of growth and improvement.

I believe this cash-out refinance is God’s way of breaking old habits and growing me in areas I’ve been avoiding. It’s uncomfortable, but necessary.

The Silver Lining
After this week of intense decluttering and organizing, I’ll feel much better about having company over! 🤣 Sometimes, we need these push moments to make significant changes in our lives.

To any mom out there struggling with similar issues: You’re not alone. We’re all on this journey together, learning, growing, and doing our best. It’s okay to be imperfect. It’s okay to struggle. What matters is that we keep moving forward, one small step at a time.

Thank you for reading this far. I hope my story encourages another mom facing similar challenges. Remember, we’re in this together. Let’s lift each other up and celebrate our progress, no matter how small it might seem.

With love and understanding,

Sarah (MindOverMom)