Resources

Decluttering and Minimalism

Decluttering and minimalism are not the same, but I think they are both useful. Minimalism has gotten a reputation for producing sterile, modern looks, but that isn’t necessary if that’s not what you want! And even if you don’t ever want to be minimalist, decluttering can help you enjoy living in your space more. 

• Tracy McCubbin of https://dclutterfly.com. Her book, Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book on DeCluttering You’ll Ever Need really helped me understand why it was so hard to declutter and really get started. There is a fun little quiz on her website that will get you started.
• Courtney Carver of Be More With Less. Courtney created Project 333, about living with fewer clothes for 3 months as an experiment in minimalism. Her multiple sclerosis diagnosis was her entry into finding less, and joy. She doesn’t have outside ads on her page, which I really like.
• Ronald L Banks on YouTube. Short videos about minimalism, struggles, and the happiness that is on the other side.
• Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist. I was able to connect with his story of spending all day “organizing” and not getting anywhere. YouTube channel, books, and a 12-week course.

Mental Health

• NAMI. The National Alliance On Mental Illness. Education and support for people with mental illness.  If you think you might be struggling with depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or wishing you just didn’t have to wake up in the morning, please get help. If you’re having trouble arranging for help, ask someone to assist you. 
• Hoarding. The International OCD Foundation looks like a good source. I would suggest not using the word “hoarding” lightly. Just as using “crazy” or  “mental” to describe yourself or someone else perpetuates the stigma around other kinds of mental illness, so does tossing around the word hoarding when it isn’t appropriate. There are different levels of hoarding if you are concerned about you or your loved one’s accumulation of possessions. Ripping someone’s items from them without understanding why they have them will be traumatic and won’t stop the cycle of hoarding.

Other Resources

Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501 nonprofit advocacy organization run by and for individuals on the autism spectrum. ASAN advocates for the inclusion of autistic people in decisions that affect them, including: legislation, depiction in the media, and disability services.
• ADHD – Having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as an adult, especially if it is undiagnosed, can make everyday tasks more challenging. I don’t have a specific resource for this yet.