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January 17, 2025 65 mins

In today's episode, I chat with Harriet Impey about the complex process of clearing out her parents' cluttered house after their deaths. From unusual family rules to emotional ties with objects, we cover how Harriet navigated the challenges of sorting belongings, her family dynamics, and the personal growth she experienced along the way navigating emotional landscapes.

We also talk about whether her parents hoarded and how their relationship with their stuff has affected her relationship with her stuff. Plus, we discuss the importance of letting go, embracing mindfulness, and the transformative power of therapy.

  • Trailer: Where Dragons Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2ARgzYZei8 
  • Growing up in a cluttered house and realisation later in life
  • Harriet's mother's attachment to objects and possible hoarding
  • Influence of family habits on personal behaviour
  • Relationships and Emotional Awareness
  • Harriet's journey towards emotional awareness and accepting imperfections
  • Importance of recognising complex feelings
  • Managing fear of arguments and expressing anger
  • Using Objects Instead of Saving Them
  • Harriet's family preference for keeping items "too special to use"
  • Transition to using these items with joy
  • Family Dynamics and Emotional Suppression
  • Differences in attitudes towards possessions among Harriet and her siblings
  • Parents' contrasting approaches to objects
  • Impact of her mother's anxiety on household rules and behavior
  • Clearing Out Parents' Home
  • Harriet's responsibility in sorting through parental belongings
  • Emotional impact of dealing with deceased person's possessions
  • Reference to "Swedish Death Cleaning"
  • Importance of considerate item management
  • Therapy and Self-Reflection
  • Harriet's 20 years of therapy and its impact
  • The influence of therapy on personal happiness and self-awareness
  • Learning to be less rigid in life
  • Managing and Letting Go of Belongings
  • Evaluating the necessity of keeping certain belongings
  • Mindfulness and Mental Health
  • Mindful self-compassion and ACT
  • The filming of "Where Dragons Live"
  • The dual charm and burden of the family home
  • Personal Experiences and Family Impact
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Transcript

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