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Original poster

So so overwhelmed ☹️☹️

317 replies

SoEffingOverwhelmed · 09/08/2024 14:41

Sorry posting for traffic. I need motivation and well god knows what else.

My mental health is rock bottom. I am a hoarder. I live in absolute squalor.

Today is the day I need to blast through the clutter. The junk. The piles of clothes. The piles of rubbish. The empty packaging and empty boxes. Empty cups. Some mouldy. I know how gross this is.

I am overwhelmed I’ve allowed it to get to this point. I can’t see my floors. Dust is everywhere. No wonder I’m constantly run down and have allergies.

It’s all m fault. Everything is filthy. I’m so ashamed and embarrassed.

It’s just me though. No kids. No pets. No partner. So im not putting anyone else through this hell. My friends don’t know. They’ve never seen it.

I’ve made a start. I’ve almost filled a roll of bin liners up to take to the tip. Cardboard boxes ready to be ripped up for the recycling box. I can now see a fraction of my wooden floor.

But by God. It’s hard. So hard. This is just a quick break to write this and have a drink. (Of tea) now I’ll be back to it and hopefully finish one room by this evening.

I don’t even know why I’ve posted here. But if you’re this far, thanks for reading.

OP posts:
HedgehogB · 09/08/2024 20:58

Well done! That’s great! Don’t be discouraged if you have a bad day and can’t do any for a bit, you’ve made huge progress! Everyone on here is proud of you!!!

Hammy19 · 09/08/2024 20:46

SoEffingOverwhelmed · 09/08/2024 20:24

Hello all you lovely people 😊

A progress update. (8 hours after I started on my bedroom) it is done. Still needs a thorough deep clean, skirting boards, inside wardrobes etc. BUT all the crap has gone into bags. I can see and walk on the floor again. It’s dusted, and hoovered. Bedding in the wash waiting to be changed.

After my last update I ran out of bin bags. And instead of doing the total normal adult thing to do like popping to the shop for some more, I cried. Called my mum, and cried more. She was right round with stacks of bags. She knows I’ve been struggling mentally for a while but probably not this bad. Anyway with her help, one room is done. She is an angel, and wasn’t phased in the slightest like I thought she would be.

Just wanted to say another massive thank you to every single one of you that has taken the time out to send you encouragements and offers to help me. It is so appreciated, and has been a huge help.

I will read every message again and again. And then some more.

To anyone who is going through similar - if I can make a start and a change -then you can too!

Bath is running then going to have some dinner

SoEffingProud

❤️

This has genuinely inspired me to crack on with all the things that I've been putting off for months. Thank you, and bloody well done for facing today as well as you have!

Contemplatinglife · 09/08/2024 20:46

Amazed at your update OP. So pleased for you and your progress in the space of a day. Enjoy your room and keep the momentum going 👏💪 also agree with others, fresh bedding day is my favourite!

martinisforeveryone · 09/08/2024 20:43

@SoEffingOverwhelmed

I've got some bad news for you!

It can be addictive.

I think the hard thing is deciding to start clearing and then the harder part is to actually start, so you've cracked the top two and tonight you look around and reap those rewards and then the next step is that you want a bit more of the same.

Kudos to your mum for rolling up her sleeves too. She's most likely delighted to help and see the progress. More power to your elbows. Enjoy the difference you've already made.

Timeheals · 09/08/2024 20:41

Wow - what a lovely thread! Super well done on starting this. Letting go of it will do wonders for you and make you so much stronger. Keep going

cjcghana · 09/08/2024 20:40

Enjoy your evening. I'm sure you'll be fired up again tomorrow. WELL DONE AGAIN!

Livelovebehappy · 09/08/2024 20:40

You’re doing great. You might not see much improvement at first, but once you’ve broke the back of it and filled a few more bin bags, it will spur you on when you see it looks better. Well done OP.

catzrulz · 09/08/2024 20:39

Massive well done, tonight when you're heading to bed stop and look around. YOU did this, I hope you have the best sleep in your fresh bed 🩷

Supergirl1958 · 09/08/2024 20:39

@SoEffingOverwhelmed you are a superstar!

DoloresDelEriba · 09/08/2024 20:36

Keep going. You are doing brilliantly. Just think how fantastic it will be when it’s all done. But be kind to yourself. You can’t do it all in a day. But just keep chipping away at it. You can do it. Follow HoardingDisordersUK on Instagram. And look up Jo Cooke on Amazon. She’s written two really good and helpful books about hoarding. Good luck. You’ve got this! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

arlequin · 09/08/2024 20:34

Well done you!!! Amazing 😻

Aliceglass · 09/08/2024 20:34

I couldn’t leave without posting a well done you! The hardest part is starting and it sounds like you are on a roll! Keep going! You’ve got this

burblish · 09/08/2024 20:32

Well done - you should indeed be proud of yourself! This is such a positive thing you are doing FOR YOU, because you are worth it.

Cantdoitallperfectly · 09/08/2024 20:31

💪 you’ve GOT THIS!!!!

Parkingt111 · 09/08/2024 20:31

Well done OP!

NoNameNoOne · 09/08/2024 20:29

Yay! X ❤️ Well done you x Enjoy your soak x

gotmychristmasmiracle · 09/08/2024 20:29

Love a fresh bedding day ✨

Amazing work 😍 know how hard it is to get started!!

TotalCarCrash · 09/08/2024 20:28

You go girl. We are all well impressed. X

mamaison · 09/08/2024 20:28

Amazing! You’ve got momentum now. The path won’t always be easy, or straight, but you’ll keep going forward. Enjoy the results of your hard work.

DeathByResponsibilities · 09/08/2024 20:26

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Original poster
SoEffingOverwhelmed · 09/08/2024 20:24

Hello all you lovely people 😊

A progress update. (8 hours after I started on my bedroom) it is done. Still needs a thorough deep clean, skirting boards, inside wardrobes etc. BUT all the crap has gone into bags. I can see and walk on the floor again. It’s dusted, and hoovered. Bedding in the wash waiting to be changed.

After my last update I ran out of bin bags. And instead of doing the total normal adult thing to do like popping to the shop for some more, I cried. Called my mum, and cried more. She was right round with stacks of bags. She knows I’ve been struggling mentally for a while but probably not this bad. Anyway with her help, one room is done. She is an angel, and wasn’t phased in the slightest like I thought she would be.

Just wanted to say another massive thank you to every single one of you that has taken the time out to send you encouragements and offers to help me. It is so appreciated, and has been a huge help.

I will read every message again and again. And then some more.

To anyone who is going through similar - if I can make a start and a change -then you can too!

Bath is running then going to have some dinner

SoEffingProud

❤️

OP posts:
Choochoo21 · 09/08/2024 20:22

I’ve made a start. I’ve almost filled a roll of bin liners up to take to the tip. Cardboard boxes ready to be ripped up for the recycling box. I can now see a fraction of my wooden floor.

Thats amazing OP!! Well done 💐💐

The hardest part is starting but it sounds like you’ve done an amazing job already!
Just keep going!!

The more progress you see, the more you’ll find it easier to carry on.

My advice is to do one room and at time, always have lots of bin bags and get some headphones or listen to the radio. Most libraries have a free app where you can listen to audiobooks.

Summermightbegreat · 09/08/2024 20:17

It is hard but you've done the hardest part by starting. It will feel amazing when you have a room clean, clear and orderly :)

Be kind to yourself, it doesn't need to be a gruelling punishing process. If you've got a favourite podcast, album, radio show or TV show which you can listen to in the background, do that, so you don't feel like you're sorting out clutter but taking time out for yourself. Eat food you like whilst you're doing it as well :) snacks, popcorn, whatever you would treat a friend with who would come over for the night to help you.

Xx

MuchTooTired · 09/08/2024 20:08

That’s fantastic progress, well done you!! Make sure you take regular breaks, you are doing brilliantly!

Depending upon how much you have in the house and finances, could you afford a skip so you don’t lose momentum going to the tip and it’s easier to get out of the house?

Araminta1003 · 09/08/2024 20:06

I once had to do a massive declutter of a relative’s house who could not let go of stuff, “in case it is useful one day” or “there”s a war or famine.”

What we did is take her out for a nice lunch and we all imagined with her that a fire destroyed everything and she was sad she lost everything. We then asked her to pick her 100 favourite items of any kind that she could list of the top of her head and we just chucked the rest. This was a downsizing scenario and she still talks about it and how freeing it was. Just keep the most sentimental, the most useful and the most beautiful and non/recycle anything else.