#188 12 ways to make decision-making easier (and why people who hoard find it so hard to make decisions in the first place!)
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Decision-making can be a huge stumbling block when you’re trying to tackle hoarding, from cognitive overload to perfectionism and decision fatigue. In this episode, I unpack why making choices about our belongings feels so overwhelming, what can go wrong if we avoid it, and I share practical strategies to make the process more manageable. If you find yourself stuck in analysis paralysis or endlessly putting off decisions, this one’s for you.
Buy your copy of Everything You Need to Know About Hoarding by Dr Lynne Drummond at cambridge.org/EverythingHoarding, and get 20% off with the discount code HOARDING20. #ad
Introduction to Decision Making and Hoarding
Decision making as a common issue among hoarders
Overwhelm and avoidance connected to belongings and acquiring new items
Episode aims: understanding why decision making is hard, consequences of indecision, and strategies to help
Why Decision Making is Difficult for People Who Hoard
Cognitive Overload
Too many items to process, making each choice feel monumental
Resulting in avoidance and deferral of decisions
Accumulation due to unresolved decisions
Analysis Paralysis
Being stuck analysing endless options and outcomes
Difficulty prioritising and overthinking decisions
Exhaustion from mental effort
Information Processing Challenges
Trouble prioritising urgency and importance
Struggling to filter necessary versus unnecessary information
Being trapped in unresolvable decision loops
Emotional Barriers
Perfectionism and fear of making the wrong decision
Catastrophising possible negative outcomes
All-or-nothing thinking relating to perfectionism
Sentimental Attachment
Struggles with emotional connection to items (gifts, memories)
Difficulty discerning genuine sentimental value
Fear of the Future
Anxiety about future need or regret causing paralysis
Preference for clinging to items over risking discomfort
Executive Function Challenges
Difficulties with planning, organising, prioritising, and initiating tasks
Impact of poor working memory on decision making
Consequences of Avoiding Decisions
Vicious Cycle of Procrastination
Accumulation of clutter, increased overwhelm and fatigue
Practical Implications
Safety hazards and restricted home usage
Social isolation and relationship strain due to inability to host
Emotional Impact
Stress, depression, guilt, and shame
Financial Consequences
Extra spending, buying duplicates, damage or loss of items, missed bills and penalties
Building Negative Self-Perceptions
Belief in inability to decide reinforces avoidance
Declining self-trust and self-esteem
Strategies and Techniques for Improving Decision Making
Identify Resistance and Mental Blocks
Questioning internal "nope" responses
Understanding fears or overwhelming factors behind avoidance
Treat Decisions as Experiments
Lowering pressure by seeing outcomes as learning experiences
Avoiding a pass/fail mindset
Make Micro-Decisions
Starting with low-stakes, emotionally neutral items
Building decision-making confidence ("decision muscle")
Utilise Support Systems
Seeking feedback or accountability from friends, family, organisers, or therapists
Sense-checking and encouragement from others
Clarify Values and Priorities
Aligning decisions with personal goals (e.g., hospitality, functionality, beauty)
Using values as a decision compass
Set Time Limits
Imposing limits per decision to prevent overthinking
Adjusting duration as confidence improves
Accept “Good Enough” Decisions
Allowing for adequacy over perfection
Challenging double standards around self-expectations versus others
Reduce Number of Choices
Limiting possible options (e.g., keep/throw/donate)
Pre-determining criteria to streamline choices
Reality Checks
Probing feelings of “I might need it” with practical questions
Reviewing usage frequency and functionality
Increase Awareness of Avoidance
Noticing procrastination and avoidance behaviours
Evaluating the significance of indecision as a barrier
Build Tolerance for Uncertainty and Discomfort
Accepting that discomfort is part of life, and not deciding brings other difficulties
Gradually practicing sitting with uncertainty
Practice Consistency in Decision Making
Incorporating daily decision-making habits
Gently challenging avoidance and celebrating each choice made
Decision-making is a learnable, improvable skill
The importance of starting small and practicing imperfect decisions
Building self-trust and confidence through repeated practice
Encouragement to challenge avoidance and recognise growth with each decision
Links
Buy your copy of Everything You Need to Know About Hoarding by Dr Lynne Drummond at cambridge.org/EverythingHoarding, and get 20% off with the discount code HOARDING20.
Podcast ep 172: Harriet Impey on clearing out her parents’ very full home, through family belongings and personal growth, in the film Where Dragons Live
Podcast ep 186: 10 executive dysfunction tips and tricks to help people who hoard, whether we have ADHD or are neurodivergent or not – Hoarding Awareness Week 2025
Podcast ep 183: ADHD, executive dysfunction and creating hacks and systems to reduce clutter chaos, with Carrie Lagerstedt
Podcast ep 162: From Fibble to Focus: Defibble your executive dysfunction with Jo Cavalot
Podcast ep 112: Executive function, executive dysfunction and hoarding with Dr Jan Eppingstall
Podcast ep 149: ADHD, hoarding and clutter with Susie Boutal, ADHD and Declutter Coach
Podcast ep 107: Things that look like hoarding but aren’t: ADHD, depression, autism, OCD, OCPD and more
Podcast ep 40: ADHD and hoarding with Dr Sharon Morein
Podcast ep 182: What are “towards and away moves” and what on earth do they have to do with hoarding recovery? With Dr Jan Eppingstall
Podcast ep 28: Avoid analysis paralysis by having ‘systems’
Podcast ep 49: Sitting with discomfort: distress tolerance and hoarding – How unconscious distress avoidance might be worsening your problems
Reasons to be Cheerful with Ed Miliband
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