Breaking the silence around hoarding, this raw and honest episode explores my personal journey from being overwhelmed by possessions to finding freedom through purposeful decluttering.After years of accumulation, I invited help to organize my space into clear categories—new items by the door, barely-used items for sale, craft supplies, and more. The process revealed not just the physical weight of my belongings, but the emotional burden I'd been carrying. When my helper told me "it all has value," something clicked. Rather than simply hauling everything to Goodwill, I needed to honor the investment I'd made in these possessions.This revelation led me to connect with local teachers who desperately needed classroom supplies. As a former PTA president, I knew educators often dig into their own pockets to provide for students. My Honda Pilot, filled to capacity multiple times with supplies I'd hoarded for decades, became a treasure trove for an entire school. The Christmas gifts stockpiled in my "Christmas closet" became a private shopping experience for friends still looking for presents, with each person paying what they felt items were worth.The transformation wasn't just in my physical space. When Christmas came, I didn't need to hide clutter behind bedroom doors or struggle with overstuffed closets. I felt proud welcoming people into my home. Most importantly, I developed a new relationship with consumption, asking myself purposeful questions before bringing new items home: "Do I really need this? Where specifically will I use it? When will I put it in place?"If you've ever felt buried under possessions or struggled to let go, know that freedom is possible. The journey requires honesty, help, and finding meaningful ways to honor the value of our things while releasing their hold on us. Join the conversation and share your own experiences with letting go—because we've been quiet about hoarding for far too long.====================================Carmen Wimberley Cauthen is an author, speaker, and lover of history, Black history in particular. As a truth teller, she delights in finding the hidden truths about the lives of people who made a difference - whether they were unknown icons or regular everyday people.To Learn more of Carmen: www.carmencauthen.comwww.researchandresource.com

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