#205 How to recover without burning out: using pacing to find your dehoarding rhythm

Come to a Dehoarding Accountability Zoom Session: http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/ticket Subscribe to the podcast: https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/subscribe Podcast show notes, links and transcript: http://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/  Getting on top of hoarding disorder isn’t about powering through in one big go. It’s all about slowing down, pacing ourselves, and making sure our approach is actually sustainable, both for our bodies and our minds. In this episode, I talk honestly about the risks of burnout and emotional overload when we try to rush the process, and why giving ourselves permission to work in small, manageable steps is key. I’ll share practical ways to set our own pace, spot the warning signs of pushing too hard, and celebrate the progress we make - even when it’s slower than we’d like. The Nature of Recovery from Hoarding Disorder Recovery isn’t a race or a sprint Pressure to fix things quickly—internal and external Debunking the ‘quick fix’ myth Importance of sustainability in recovery Physical Aspects of Dehoarding Physical tasks: sorting, organising, donating, recycling The relentless and exhausting nature of physical dehoarding Risks of pushing too hard: Physical exhaustion and injury Impact of chronic pain, health problems, disability Decision-making fatigue from exhaustion The danger of creating a more overwhelming mess Risks of Burnout Burnout as a consequence of overexertion Emotional impact: quitting, avoidance, dread Dehoarding becomes associated with pain and suffering Emotional Aspects of Pacing Unique emotional relationships with possessions Associations, memories, grief, nostalgia, identity Anxiety and emotional flooding in decision-making The consequences of pushing past emotional limits: Panic, anxiety, rumination Avoidance and procrastination Loss of confidence in decisions Swinging between extremes: keeping everything vs. discarding everything The Impact of Emotional Flooding Damaging relationship with recovery Recovery viewed as painful or traumatic Unrealistic expectations for overnight emotional change Persistence of difficult emotional patterns despite progress Non-Linear Nature of Progress Understanding setbacks and relapses as part of the process Importance of patience and realistic expectations The need to build new emotional and cognitive pathways over time Positive Signs of Emotional Progress Ability to sit with discomfort and uncertainty Recognising and managing patterns and triggers Gradual increase in resilience and emotional tolerance Recognising Gradual Physical and Emotional Recovery Improved recovery time after difficult sessions Growing confidence in handling challenges Learning that healing and progress are not linear Practical Approaches to Pacing Time-based strategies: Working in manageable time chunks Scheduling regular breaks and days off Focusing on sustainable, consistent sessions over marathons Decision-based strategies: Limiting the number of decisions per session Identifying easier vs. harder tasks or categories Quick wins to boost motivation Checking in with oneself physically and emotionally during work Building in soothing or rewarding activities post-session Signs of Sustainable Pacing Completing sessions feeling tired but not destroyed Feeling able to return for future sessions without dread Making decisions that feel good in retrospect Enjoyment and pride in gradually improving one’s space Adapting Pace to Life Circumstances Pace varies with health, mood, season, responsibilities Finding what works for the individual and the current season of life Compassionate Recovery The importance of self-compassion in setting and respecting limits Celebrating progress and honouring our human experience Links Come to a Dehoarding Accountability Zoom session: Accountability Booking Form Website: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding Become a Dehoarding Darling Submit a topic for the podcast to cover Questions to ask when dehoarding: https://www.overcomecompulsivehoarding.co.uk/podquestions Instagram: @thathoarderpodcast Twitter: @ThatHoarder Mastodon: @[email protected] TikTok: @thathoarderpodcast Facebook: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder Pinterest: That Hoarder YouTube: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder Reddit: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder subreddit Help out: Support this project Sponsor the podcast Subscribe to the podcast Subscribe to the podcast here