The Hoarder in You

How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life

By: Dr. Robin Zasio

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

We all have treasured possessions - a favorite pair of shoes, a much-beloved chair, an ever-expanding record collection. But sometimes, this emotional attachment to our belongings can spiral out of control and culminate into a condition called compulsive hoarding. From hobbyists and collectors to pack rats and compulsive shoppers - it is close to impossible for hoarders to relinquish their precious objects, even if it means that stuff takes over their lives and their homes.

According to psychologist Dr. Robin Zasio, our fascination with hoarding stems from the fact that most of us fall somewhere on the hoarding continuum. Even though it may not regularly interfere with our everyday lives, to some degree or another, many of us hoard.

The Hoarder in You provides practical advice for decluttering and organizing, including how to tame the emotional pull of acquiring additional things, make order out of chaos by getting a handle on clutter, and create an organizational system that reduces stress and anxiety. Dr. Zasio also shares some of the most serious cases of hoarding that she’s encountered, and explains how we can learn from these extreme examples - no matter where we are on the hoarding continuum.

©2011 Robin Zasio (P)2011 Tantor

I Listened While I Bagged Clothes

I love this book, and like many I have listened several times. If you are searching for a book of this nature, then probably you or someone you know have a bit of a problem with stuff. This book worked for me because there are many versions of how and why we lose control of our living environments. Dr. Zasio will no doubt hit on something that exactly describes your situation, and she has specific suggestions of how to approach it. I had heard of those trash-filled homes you see on TV - that's totally not me. I don't buy unrealistic amounts of stuff that I can't use, either. But as it turns out, I have difficulty letting go of things. Hmmm! That can be a problem as time goes by. Dr. Zasio does not brag about instant success, nor does she propose unrealistic solutions. Her philosophy is clearly centered around the person, not the room. The anecdotes from her case-files are filled with compassion, respect, and positive change.
The narrator is perfect for this book. Her performance is appropriate to giving a dose of reality to listeners who may be struggling. If you are curious about clutter or hoarding, and have found other books to be lacking in depth or inapplicable to your situation, then you might enjoy this one.

Catapulted me into changing my life - THANKS!

If you could sum up The Hoarder in You in three words, what would they be?

Going, going, gone!

What did you like best about this story?

This book really helped me to see me AND the ‘me’ I want to see.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

Possessed an excellent flow to her work which highlighted the process of how to emotionally ready myself to let go of the stuff holding me back.

What did you learn from The Hoarder in You that you would use in your daily life?

It helped me ‘see’ my possessions differently; how other people see my stuff.

Any additional comments?

I’m on a mission to change my life for the better. And sooner - thanks to this book!

Good one!

For some reason, I'm fascinated by this hoarder thing. Although I'm not a problem hoarder, I have the niggling suspicion I'm holding on to stuff I should throw out. The "end clutter" books I've listened to were dull and uninspiring. This book, is interesting. And helpful. Especially if, like me, you can't make yourself throw away a lipstick you last wore in 1995.

Also helpful if you have to navigate between piles of stuff to get around at home.

Either way, I recommend it!

This book is for everyone

What did you love best about The Hoarder in You?

Don't let the title fool you. This book is also for clutter on any level. It is MUCH better than "The Magic of Tidying Up"

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hoarder in You?

This book doesn't tell you what kind of organizational system to use or how to fold your shirts. What it does tell you is why you have the clutter you have, and how you can deal with it on a psychological level first. That is the ONLY way change will last.

Wow! A very comprehensive guide!

I never realized it was not okay to hang on to the things I do. I appreciate her permission to clean out my collections. I honestly thought people kept the things she talked about throwing out. I'm not a hoarder like my family member by any means but I sure did recognize myself in this book in a lot of ways--in fact, throughout the book! This was just the motivation and guidance I needed to rethink my conception of "wasteful" in terms of space and not in articles being discarded. I'm already getting started because I now see this book was about ME, and not just my extreme hoarder family member. Thanks! This is the first book I will actually listen to again and again.

A Polished Life

Would you listen to The Hoarder in You again? Why?

Yes as this has great reminders to the listener when they have been on their way to de-cluttering their life, and have slipped their own leash so to speak, to get back on track.

What did you like best about this story?

This the second book I have gotten on the daily deal regarding de cluttering your life. 1st was good to realize "I am a compulsive ...." This book is a bit softer but gives many tips to people WHO want to simplify their life and eliminate stress of always having to find a place for things instead of getting rid of items when self realization failed to kick in.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

She excelled in this book. I thought I was in the author's session.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I have not finished as I write, but wanted to encouraged others to buy this daily deal to help them eliminate areas of stress in their lives. I am a recovering hoarder and compulsive shopper who is always trying to "not buy just because I can". It is important to extrapolate from the illustrations if you want to get the most out of this book.

Any additional comments?

Note: I do use the new 1.25x speed to match the author's intent.

>If review was helpful, let me know. Thxs.

Both interesting and informative. I listened twice

I listened to this audiobook twice because I wanted to reinforce some of the underlying concepts. This book explores the underlying stories behind some serious hoarders, which gives non-hoarders a glimpse of some of their own tendencies.

You just might find that you share some of the same issues that are the root of a serious hoarder, and you can learn how to clear your mind as you clear your environment. If nothing else, you will be fascinated by the psychology behind the mess.

THIS is the book.

Wow! This book is exactly what I needed in my life. The author is very understanding & non-judgemental, she simply suggests reasons we hold on to trash, reasons we are constantly shopping, reasons are dishes pile up. Gently. My mind is blown, and my house will never be the same. I was not a hoarder, like on the show... I was a "clutterer". Not any more - thank you for the gentle, mind blowing wake up call!! A+

Very helpful to understanding family members

Exceeded my expectations plus kicked me into gear getting rid of so many things with ease. I was trying to understand a family member n how to help. Recognized where I was hoarding as well.

A Good Starting Point

I have some collections in my house, and I have some clutter that needs to go. The good news is, this book helped me to understand and how to deal with much of it on a mental level. The better news is, I've confirmed I'm not a hoarder.

The bad news is, it still comes down to "do the work." The house will not clean itself. *sigh*

In all seriousness, there comes a point where you look around and think something is out of control or you need to get a better handle on something before it does spiral out of control. I honestly don't know how effective this book would be for someone with a hoarder problem, but I can see where it would be a step in the right direction for those ready to confront the issue. For those who aren't hoarders, this is a rather enlightening book. The difference in thinking between hoarders and those with just a cluttered spot in the house is minimal; it's a matter of scale only, and it often comes down to the person, not the stuff. If you're in the frame of mind that leads you to this book in the first place for whatever reason, you'll likely find it effective for generating new ideas behind the issues. I know I did.