Hoarding: Buried Alive Season 6 Episode 13 Waste Not, Want Not
- May 8, 2013
- 43 min
Waste Not, Want Not is the thirteenth episode of season 6 of Hoarding: Buried Alive. In this emotional and intense episode, we meet Sharon, a mother and grandmother who has spent the past 20 years hoarding seemingly everything she can get her hands on. Her home, on the outskirts of a small town, is a maze of clutter and debris, with only narrow paths allowing access to different parts of the house.
Sharon’s life took a devastating turn over 20 years ago when her husband passed away, leaving her to raise their children alone. She began to collect anything and everything that she thought might be useful, often bringing home items that others had thrown out. Her hoarding eventually got so out of control that she had to start sleeping in a recliner, as there was no room left in her bed.
In the episode, we see Sharon facing the reality of her situation for the first time. She dreams of one day being able to host her family for holidays and celebrations, but knows that her hoarding will not allow that to happen. In addition to the emotional burden of her situation, Sharon is also facing physical health problems as a result of the clutter in her home. She has a hard time getting around and is at risk of falling because of all the debris on the floor.
With the help of a hoarding cleanup specialist, Sharon begins the process of decluttering her home. It is a difficult and emotional journey for her, as she must confront the memories and emotions that come up as items are removed from her home. At one point, she breaks down in tears as she sorts through a pile of old baby clothes, remembering the joy and pain of raising her children alone.
Throughout the episode, we see the impact of Sharon’s hoarding on her family. Her daughter talks about feeling embarrassed to invite friends over when she was younger, and her son recounts how he used to have to step over piles of debris just to get to his room. Despite the pain and frustration they feel, however, Sharon’s family is committed to supporting her through the process of decluttering.
As the episode progresses, we see Sharon make progress in clearing out her home and letting go of the clutter. She begins to see the potential for a new life in her now-spacious home, imagining hosting a family gathering or having a place for her grandchildren to play. However, just as she thinks she has made it through the worst, a new challenge arises in the form of a hoarded car in her yard.
The car has been sitting in Sharon’s yard for years, and has become a breeding ground for pests and rodents. Cleanup specialist Matt Paxton and his team decide that the car must be removed for safety reasons, but Sharon is deeply attached to it. She tells the story of how her late husband used to work on the car, and how it represents a connection to him.
The climax of the episode comes as Sharon is faced with the decision of whether or not to let go of the car. She struggles with conflicting emotions, but ultimately decides that the benefits of having a safe and clean yard outweigh the attachment she has to the car. In the end, we see Sharon emotionally and physically exhausted but also hopeful for a new future without the burden of hoarding weighing her down.
Waste Not, Want Not is an emotional and poignant episode that sheds light on the challenges of hoarding and the deep-seated emotions that often come with it. Through Sharon’s story, we see the impact of hoarding on individuals, families, and communities, as well as the hope and potential for a new beginning that comes with letting go of the past.