I could never watch one of these programs. Thanks for sorting this out for me. 😉
“You gotta have shoes,” explained one hoarder. “Just like you gotta have a wig to go with it.” (Cut to: wall of enough wigs to make a mastodon, next to a crying, distraught daughter, asking the hoarder, “Does your junk mean more to you than I do?”.) 💙
Awesome and surprisingly (to me) relatable. I hear an internal conflict like the one I had doing a NYT feature on Celebrity Rehab years ago: a belief in both the disease and treatment modality (plus a hopeful theory that televised therapy might even help in this case) versus a baseline revulsion at the conditions that bred the illness and reality TV in general. But still: hoarding is so fascinating, awful, and probably under-reported that I'll *still* rationalize/justify this show by saying it brings attention, shines a spotlight, etc. It's such a heartbreaking disease.
This piece really hits home. I was married to someone who was a hoarder, but the hoarding got worse after the marriage ended. A woman who was once vibrant, outgoing, and full of ambition is now a recluse struggling mightily with alcohol abuse. Reminds me of Nicholas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas, only with cats and clutter. I don’t mean to be flippant or insensitive— it pains me. It’s like watching someone slowly commit suicide.
I’ve always felt the failed marriage accelerated the downhill spiral, and I suppose I’ll always feel at least a little responsible.
Funny, I read you mostly for the humor, the uniquely wonderful way you have with words. Sometimes I read you just to learn about what’s going on in the world beyond my rather cloistered existence. I’ve never watched any of those hoarding shows, but tonight I learned more about the condition than I have in the last 25 years. Thanks for writing this, Cintra.
Just moved after 20+ yrs. in 1 place and ashamed at how little I could bear to toss. So long as drinking and "collecting" doesn't include unsanitary stacks or vermin I'm not reeally a hoarder, right?
I too learned so much from this piece, Cintra. I have a real fear and loathing of hoarding and I understand more about it now. Thank you! Your use of language in this was particularly good--so expressive, so many well-articulated insights. After listening, I found myself wanting to point to a chair, or any nearby item, and say, "Please explain this to me!" I feel like you could help me understand the symbolism, meaning and truth of anything in our society.
Because I'm obsessed with the topic of how to get paid to be oneself, I keep thinking about how best to monetize your talent. Would love to brainstorm with you on this. My number is 818.723.9460. If you're not into it, forgive me for broaching it!
I could never watch one of these programs. Thanks for sorting this out for me. 😉
“You gotta have shoes,” explained one hoarder. “Just like you gotta have a wig to go with it.” (Cut to: wall of enough wigs to make a mastodon, next to a crying, distraught daughter, asking the hoarder, “Does your junk mean more to you than I do?”.) 💙
Awesome and surprisingly (to me) relatable. I hear an internal conflict like the one I had doing a NYT feature on Celebrity Rehab years ago: a belief in both the disease and treatment modality (plus a hopeful theory that televised therapy might even help in this case) versus a baseline revulsion at the conditions that bred the illness and reality TV in general. But still: hoarding is so fascinating, awful, and probably under-reported that I'll *still* rationalize/justify this show by saying it brings attention, shines a spotlight, etc. It's such a heartbreaking disease.
Thanks for this! Nice to hear from another journo, always.
You are amazingly hilarious
This piece really hits home. I was married to someone who was a hoarder, but the hoarding got worse after the marriage ended. A woman who was once vibrant, outgoing, and full of ambition is now a recluse struggling mightily with alcohol abuse. Reminds me of Nicholas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas, only with cats and clutter. I don’t mean to be flippant or insensitive— it pains me. It’s like watching someone slowly commit suicide.
I’ve always felt the failed marriage accelerated the downhill spiral, and I suppose I’ll always feel at least a little responsible.
Funny, I read you mostly for the humor, the uniquely wonderful way you have with words. Sometimes I read you just to learn about what’s going on in the world beyond my rather cloistered existence. I’ve never watched any of those hoarding shows, but tonight I learned more about the condition than I have in the last 25 years. Thanks for writing this, Cintra.
Thanks so much for talking about this. Thank you.
The world is a better place every time you post something new.
You angel you
Just moved after 20+ yrs. in 1 place and ashamed at how little I could bear to toss. So long as drinking and "collecting" doesn't include unsanitary stacks or vermin I'm not reeally a hoarder, right?
I too learned so much from this piece, Cintra. I have a real fear and loathing of hoarding and I understand more about it now. Thank you! Your use of language in this was particularly good--so expressive, so many well-articulated insights. After listening, I found myself wanting to point to a chair, or any nearby item, and say, "Please explain this to me!" I feel like you could help me understand the symbolism, meaning and truth of anything in our society.
Because I'm obsessed with the topic of how to get paid to be oneself, I keep thinking about how best to monetize your talent. Would love to brainstorm with you on this. My number is 818.723.9460. If you're not into it, forgive me for broaching it!
I will DEFINITELY be calling you!!
This makes my poitrine hurt so good. Ass, laughed off. Heart, raw hamburger.