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Cluttered vs. Hoarding: What’s the Difference?

Cluttered vs. Hoarding: What’s the Difference?

Do you have an unhealthy attachment to stuff? Do you worry for a loved one who has trouble letting possessions go? Hoarding Disorder isn't necessarily all piles and pathways; in real life, hoarding can look much different than the extremes highlighted on television. On this week's episode of The Sustainable Minimalists podcast: identifying hoarding's 5 red flags; practical steps for helping our struggling loved ones, too. 

Are you concerned you have an unhealthy attachment to stuff? Do you worry for a loved one who has trouble letting possessions go?

Hoarding Disorder isn’t necessarily all piles and pathways; in real life, hoarding can look much different than the extremes highlighted on television. There’s a fine line between a cluttered household versus a hoarding household and – for many of us – pinning down the difference feels slippery.

On this week’s show I’m speaking with social worker, hoarding expert and Conquer the Clutter co-author Elaine Birchall. Elaine identifies hoarding’s 5 red flags; she offers practical steps we can all employ to help our struggling loved ones, too.

Enjoy!

* Want more episodes like this one? Try #073: 30 Items to Declutter Today That You Won’t Miss Tomorrow.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

 

Do you have an unhealthy attachment to stuff? Do you worry for a loved one who has trouble letting possessions go? Hoarding Disorder isn't necessarily all piles and pathways; in real life, hoarding can look much different than the extremes highlighted on television. On this week's episode of The Sustainable Minimalists podcast: identifying hoarding's 5 red flags; practical steps for helping our struggling loved ones, too. 

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The Unfollow Effect

We've come a long way. But not necessarily in the right direction.

From the the nostalgic days of AOL Instant Messenger to 2026's high-stakes, algorithmic landscape, constant connectivity has fundamentally shifted our attention spans, our peace of mind, and the way we show up for our families.

Worse, the desire to show up online often takes us directly out of real life. It's no surprise, then, that we're feeling the mental and emotional weight of the "scroll".

We don't have to throw our phones in a lake to find the reprieve we desperately need. On today's show author Emily Feldpausch argues that it isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about reclaiming the intentionality that the algorithms try to take away.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Reflections on the shift from the early days of AIM and MySpace to the current user experience that often feels designed against us

[8:45] How being always on has eroded our collective sense of peace and altered the dynamics of modern family life

[18:00] How to stop checking in and start being present

[23:00] A candid look at 2026 internet culture, from shopping hauls to harmful beauty standards. Can we still find corners of the web that align with our true values?

[27:00] Emily's personal strategies for maintaining phone boundaries to protect her mental space

 

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Hello there, I’m Stephanie. I live a crazy, beautiful life as a full-time wife, blogger + mother to two spirited daughters. I’m on a mission to simplify eco-friendly living so as to greater enjoy life’s sweeter moments.

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