1. EachPod

#188 12 ways to make decision-making easier (and why people who hoard find it so hard to make decisions in the first place!)

Author
That Hoarder
Published
Fri 30 May 2025
Episode Link
https://infouidd.podbean.com/e/188-12-ways-to-make-decision-making-easier-and-why-people-who-hoard-find-it-so-hard-to-make-decisions-in-the-first-place/


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.


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  • 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


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