So so overwhelmed ☹️☹️

Well done @SoEffingOverwhelmed. It's great that you are motivated to do this.

A great ADHD hack, when you're feeling overwhelmed but know you need to tackle a task, is to set a timer for 20-minutes and do as much as you can withing that short space of time. It's amazing what can be achieved!

You are going to feel so amazing when it is completed. And I can understand that you are emotional. Some part of you may feel you are not worthy or deserving of living in a comfy home so there is a lot to 'let go of' besides the clutter.

Please keep us posted and good luck 💕

You've done the hardest part by starting, you deserve to live in a tidy home, it's like your home is a manifestation of your mind, like others have said just keep going

OP you're doing amazingly. And that treat of fresh clean bedding after a nice shower with freshly washed hair, will feel so good. You will be physically knackered and maybe mentally too, but you will have done so much today-this is fantastic

You’ve done brilliantly, OP. Brilliantly.

Reward and rest, then go again (without exhausting yourself). Use this thread as your motivation, but if you slide a bit in the future, don’t be discouraged from coming back. We understand and are on your side!

Keep going op, you've made a great start 👍

Well done OP! Keep going. I know its hard, and I have a lot of respect for you!

Bloody well done so far @SoEffingOverwhelmed

One bit of advice is that when at some point you lose the momentum, that doesn't mean you've failed.

I'm on a healthy eating kick. I've been trying to do this for years, but every time I get a few days in, maybe a couple of weeks. I cave in and eat a bunch of crap, and then wake up the next day thinking "Eh, fuck it I've failed" and give up until the next time I try again.

This time has been different. As per usual, a week in I caved and ordered a dominos. But this time I didn't give up. I woke up and thought "OK, yesterday was a write-off, but that doesn't mean today has to be".

So at some point you will flag, you'll have a day where you don't get as much done, or nothing at all. And you'll wake up the next day feeling shitty about it and thinking you may as well give up. Don't. Just get up and do 10 minutes, and then if you feel like it do 10 minutes more.

Every single person on this thread is proud of you OP!
You've got a whole gang of cheerleaders.

Well done OP! Making a start is the hardest part and you've done that now.

If it starts feeling overwhelming chunk it down into smaller goals - just finish say one more cupboard today, another one tomorrow etc.

You've got this!

You’ve done brilliantly to make the progress you have. This is a huge act of self love. You deserve a clean, safe space.

Don’t feel disheartened if it doesn’t all get done on your planned timeline. Keep chipping away, some every day until it’s manageable.

Such a brilliant way to reward yourself for the physical and emotional work you're doing.

Well done and do not be ashamed, there are many people in your position and remember there are people out there to help.

if you let someone help you, it’ll get done so much quicker and it will improve your mental health and allow you to think positively about the future.

we all need help in life, never be afraid to ask! There are even charities who support people in hoarding situations

Well done OP!!! You’ve made a brilliant start and also shared with us - both great steps as it’s shows you want to let someone in.
Try not to feel overwhelmed about letting ‘stuff’ go - the mental health benefits of living with far less stuff outweigh anything you own. I had to sort through an awful lot a few years ago - I know not the same thing - but I honestly don’t miss one thing I got rid of. All the memories I need are filed in my memory.
Fresh PJs, fresh sheets and a warm shower are the best reward and a signpost for your future.
Also agree with PP - if you can afford a cleaner, get one, to help you manage in the future.
All the replies have been so encouraging - enjoy your lovely fresh bed and sleep well OP ✔️

Take a photo of the bin liners you've filled so you can see your achievement and have some good feelings.

Have you got some good music to listen to while you crack on?

I'm so impressed you made a start.

Well done! I always say a little bit of progress is still an achievement!!!
You made a decision to start it and did it. Don't underestimate actually doing it not just saying it.

It’s awesome that you’ve taken the first step. It can only get better! Keep us updated please x

I think the invite was a little ‘glimmer’. It was to help you get through the day. Dot focus on hoe bad things have got but how well you are doing. I’m just imagining you this evening with your room much better and clean covers, that will be a massive help towards the rest of it x

Wow that’s amazing that you have made a start!! Well done OP! Take it room by room and think how amazing it will feel will you have decluttered! Keep reporting back and we will all keep encouraging you!! 🙌

Brilliant. Well done OP. The fact you have even started is progress. You've got this.

You've done amazingly well for Day 1.

Rome wasn't built in a day and clearing the clutter and deciding what you're keeping/recycling/binning/donating won't be done in a day either.

Give yourself a pat on the back for starting to tackle this.

Can I make a suggestion to you - if you have a picture of a living room that you'd like your living room to get close to resembling and it's from a magazine, rip the picture out of the magazine and blutack it to the back of your living room door so that you have a target to aim towards. It'll take time but you'll get there.

Do the same with the kitchen and any other room you want. Tackle them room by room.

Also, if you buy new cushions or anything new for the house, make a deal with yourself that something old has to go. One in, one out!

Keep going!!!

And yes I agree small steps if you can’t manage the big things. When my MH was truly atrocious I couldn’t even get out of bed so all small steps really does work!

Well done @SoEffingOverwhelmed! You are an inspiration.

Maybe you should read the thread called ive just had a massive de-clutter by miss december i dont know how to do links.
But the poster go down and brutal with it none stop untill she was done.

So very very very well done 👏👏👏👏 keep going a half an hour per day and everything will be perfect in a few weeks time.

I have mental health problems too and life can be so hard 👍

Agree with this. I do this for housework which I find very tedious and pick three things to do a day. So for example, wipe down surfaces in the kitchen, wash kitchen floor, clean out fridge. None of these are enormous tasks so are achievable in a couple of hours tops.

I also keep a carrier bag on each floor of my house so I can put things for the charity shop in as and when I find something rather than thinking it can go in my next clearout. It is amazing how quickly the bags fill and then can go out.

If you haven't got one already OP invest in a handheld vacuum cleaner. Much more portable than dragging a full sized one about and not nearly so much hassle to scoot round with each day although you do need to keep it charged up ready to use.