Mandi Simms, from Walton-on-Thames, has learnt to “Let it all go!” – the self-confessed “hoarder” has done a total 360 acknowledging that her vast collection of clothing, shoes, books and bags were starting to take over her life and her home, affecting personal relationships and plummeting her into debt and despair.
Mandi has exclusively revealed she now only has one garage left of clothing whereas 10 years ago she had 5 lock ups (twice the size of her garage), 3 garages and a house crammed with her hoarded products. On her amazing journey to recovery, Mandi now sells literally thousands of her vintage items in her gorgeous store, the Mint Royale Emporium, in the Heart Shopping Centre in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.
She is also an active member of the hoarding community, speaks publicly about hoarding and links with depression and sells online to raise funds for Hoarding UK, seeking to raise awareness of the condition that goes unnoticed in many walks of life.
Mandi’s advice: “Let it all go!”
Media savvy Mandi has also appeared in an episode of ‘Hoarders: Buried Alive’ for Channel 5, has been interviewed for Women & Home Magazine and ITV News – among many significant others.
Here she tells her story to Surrey Rocks Magazine from the realisation of her condition 10 years ago to the reality of making her life change for the better:
“In 2015, I booked an appointment with my GP. I explained I was feeling dark and not coping very well. I also mentioned that I had ‘a lot of stuff’, and the doctor asked if I thought I could be experiencing hoarding disorder. She told me about a hoarding support group run by a local charity, Mary Frances Trust. Meeting people going through the same thing was invaluable. I also started antidepressants, had CBT and EFT (often known as tapping), and tried mindfulness.
In 2018, I accepted voluntary redundancy. As my hoarding had led to a lot of debt, I needed a way of improving my finances. I decided it was finally time to take control of the hoard by starting to sell my beautiful vintage clothes and accessories. However, I had so much of it that I couldn’t manage selling it online. Instead, I decided to set up a pop-up shop in my local shopping centre, with support from my local council and an organisation called Rainbow Rising, which helps local communities take over empty units to regenerate the high street. Local charity shops donated rails and hangers, and my friends rallied round to help.
“Mandi realised she was no longer in control of her possessions; they were taking over control of her.”
To support the charity Hoarding UK and create awareness around the subject of hoarding and mental health, in 2022 I launched Mint Royale Emporium. Talking to customers about my journey is like a therapy session every day. I don’t take a salary but I am selling my collection to raise funds for the charity and to help pay off my debts.
I was one of the first people to ‘speak up and speak out’ about the effects of hoarding disorder/behaviour via the Channel 5 show ‘Hoarders: Buried Alive’. They did not clear/clean my house, as that’s not the single answer; there is normally much more to think about and discuss.
I want more people to understand the ‘condition’ is not a lifestyle choice, there is often a reason WHY, and this needs to be addressed, like most life coping mechanisms/addictions, although a hoard is very visible and can be very overwhelming. I am very much about ‘regaining my sparkle’ and being on my journey out of the darkness, struggling with mental health, depression, and sadness, and now moving forward in my life. I want to share my knowledge, to create more awareness, and help others.
I do still go to charity shops, but the difference is that I no longer feel the constant need to purchase in order to be happy. I no longer have the storage units, and I’m slowly starting to sell the items in my house. The process is long, arduous and full of emotion, but I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. One item at a time, I’m healing, and hopefully helping others to realise there is life after hoarding.”
GET IN TOUCH
If you want to find out more and follow Mandi’s journey subscribe to Hoarding UK www.hoardinguk.org and National Hoarding Awareness Week www.hoardingawarenessweek.org.uk and listen to her story and many others like her.
She has recorded 7 videos with journalist Amanda Peet, who has written the books ‘Mind Your Mind‘ and ‘Where Does Time Go’ and has been an amazing support to Mandi.
Also visit www.maryfrancestrust.org.uk/my-hoarding-journey/ and give generously if you can to help hoarding awareness.
Or just visit her in the Heart Shopping Centre and help by purchasing some of her valuable vintage finds from the Mint Royale Emporium or online at www.mintroyaleemporium.com – as featured in our fabulous fashion shoot.
