Ep 8. Dawn / Linda

Dawn / Linda is the eighth episode from the third season of the popular reality show, Hoarders. This episode follows two individuals, Dawn and Linda, who have both been struggling with hoarding for years.

Dawn is a 51-year-old woman who lives in Long Beach, California. She has been hoarding for more than 20 years and her house has become so cluttered that she can’t move around it anymore. Dawn’s hoarding has significantly impacted her life and relationships. At one point, her hoarding became so bad that she lost custody of her children. She now lives alone in her cluttered home, cut off from the world.

Linda is a 56-year-old woman who lives in Waterloo, Iowa. She has been hoarding for more than 15 years and her home is filled with an overwhelming amount of stuff. Linda’s hoarding has forced her to sleep in her car because she cannot find a space to sleep in her cluttered home. Her hoarding has also affected her family, with her kids refusing to visit her.

The episode begins with the hoarding specialists and the cleaning crew arriving at Dawn’s home. The team is shocked to see the amount of clutter in the house, with piles of garbage, old furniture, and other items taking up every available inch of space. The team begins sorting through the clutter, separating garbage from items that can be donated or sold. During the process, they find several items that Dawn had been searching for years, such as her wedding ring, which has been buried under piles of clutter.

As the team works through the clutter, Dawn becomes increasingly anxious, unable to watch the team remove items from her home. Despite her anxieties, the team manages to clear out a significant amount of clutter, making the house more livable. However, at the end of the first day, Dawn feels overwhelmed and decides to leave the house, unable to watch as others sort through her belongings.

Meanwhile, in Waterloo, Iowa, the team arrives at Linda's house. The team is immediately struck by the smell and condition of the home, with piles of garbage and other items taking up every room. With the help of her daughter, who has flown in from out of town, the team manages to clear out significant amounts of clutter, including several bags of garbage. However, as they sort through the clutter, Linda becomes increasingly agitated, unhappy with the team’s decisions. Despite her frustration, the team is able to complete a significant amount of work, creating a safer living space for Linda.

As the episode progresses, Dawn returns to her home and is shocked to see how much work the team has done. She begins to realize that her hoarding had gotten out of control, causing significant stress on her life. Despite her emotional reactions and struggles, she recognizes that the team is doing good work and that she needs to let go of some of the clutter to have a better life.

In Iowa, the team continues to work with Linda, helping her to understand that the clutter has caused significant health and safety concerns. Linda’s daughter flies back home, leaving Linda to face the aftermath of the hoarding. The team works through the stress and anxiety, creating a safer and more livable environment for Linda.

Overall, the episode is a powerful reminder of how hoarding can impact a person’s life, relationships, and health. However, it also shows that, with the right support and guidance, people can take control of their clutter and create a more positive living environment. The team’s positive attitude, compassion, and expertise help the participants to gain a new perspective, recognize the harmful effects of hoarding, and start on the path to a better life.