Hoarders Anonymous. Thread #9. We Are Keeping On Keeping On. Fighting The Cluttered Fight.

[Solo]

We are a group of likeminded householders who are leading somewhat challenging lives; be that living with too much 'stuff' that we find difficult to deal with, houses that are falling apart (mine is), health issues within the family unit, wider family, or ourselves (me too) that means sorting out our households is challenging to say the least. So...
You are all welcome to join us for support, adding your ideas to help others out, storage ideas, and even tips on actually getting those items out of the house which sounds so simple when you say it, but this part can be a huge challenge; we are often attached emotionally to our 'things', afraid of letting things go just in case we need them, or it belonged to mum or gran. This is tough stuff to deal with.
Encouragement and support abound here in our band of clutterbugs. We never ever criticise anyone! We even try not to criticise ourselves as it's not helpful to anyone, but this can be very difficult to achieve.
We hold one another's hands, dab away tears, and snot virtually.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by clutter, mess, disorganisation and generally don't know where to start. If you can't be bothered, but really do want to be bothered. If you think you are a bit lazy, or if you just need to see your highs and lows and everything in between on the screen here, join us, and we will support you. We'll virtually high-five your achievements - small or large, and virtually hug you when the need arises. If you want a hug, just ask because we are here for you, we're here for one another because we get it. The art of washing up is sometimes our great achievement of the day, but it's still an achievement. Every small step is an achievement.
My own journey is very long, I've tried to get it done, bug it's a work in progress. Single working mum (children now both over 18, but youngest has many physical issues as well as ADHD and ASD). I have chronic illness, and am in my 62nd year on the planet, so I need to deal with it. The point is. You aren't alone if you are also suffering.

Some helpful links which I hope are still valid. They aren't for everyone, but have a look if you fancy:
• Help For Hoarders by Jasmine Harman (the author/producer of the BBC1 documentaries My Hoarder Mum and Me and Britain's Biggest Hoarders)
• The FlyLady Cleaning Method by Marla Cilley
• The Organised Mum Method by Gemma Bray
• The KonMari Method by Marie Kondo
• A Slob Comes Clean by Dana K. White
• The Getting Things Done Method by David Allen

I'm not sure if The Flylady link is working, but if not, you know what to search for.
Welcome to thread #8 of Hoarders Anonymous. Thread #8. We Are Keeping On Keeping On. Fighting The Cluttered Fight (and winning, one small step at a time).

Decluttering Expert: Dana K White of A Slob Comes Clean
Learn more about decluttering expert Dana K. White and her cleaning and organizing blog: A Slob Comes Clean. Author, podcaster, blogger and YouTuber.
https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/about-me/

This is going to be short as i have an issue with an eye, and can't see too well .

@Elleherd I do hope you are feeling better as a,result of the enforced bed rest. You've still done more than me.

@WearyAuldWumman what a nerve cutting a hole in the bush. There's no respect.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

@WearyAuldWumman It's hard going but actually learning to be wasteful, is something many of us on here need to do. By saving so much because 'others could use it' or 'it seems wasteful to bin it' we clutter up our lives and homes, businesses etc.

Well done fixing the gate and patching the hole. Cheeky sods just cutting through it! One answer might be planting a holly cutting in the hole. They take getting trodden on well, and grow fast if watered.
Hopefully some of your seeds take.

@Solo Ten to one - I have more than you needing doing anyway, so it probably works out not so different. Sorry your eye is continuing to cause problems. I doubt I'd be coping with that.

Yesterday was more watering, and moving some large garden stuff from a unit . It made it out of the unit which is a start, but instant pain and swelling doing it meant it didn't actually make it into the garden.

Thanks, @Elleherd.

I did already try a holly seedling transplanted from my garden, but it didn't take. I'm going to try again.

The hedge that's at right angles to the one with the hole is hawthorn and that's not quite managed to grow back sufficiently for me to wrap it round the missing area of the mosaic hedge gap that's being used as a thoroughfare now.

I've encouraged it with fertiliser. In the meantime I'm keeping my eye open for seedlings that I can move to the gap and hoping that the willow screen will help to an extent. I previously tried chicken wire, but people just stick in their foot and used it as a stile. The willow runs vertically, so they can't do that with it.

Just a heads up for anyone who doesn't follow her, Kristi Doing Things on YT has a free declutter guide to download on the latest video, link in the description. I haven't gone through it all yet but I think it's for when you're stuck and don't know where to start or what to do next.

I've been laid up and done very little over the last week and a half even though I desperately needed to as time is running out. But just covering basics of washing and cleaning and making it to and from hospital appointments has been painful and exhausting.
But garden stuff from unit has made it into the garden, greenhouse is sort of repaired, but it's had it really, don't think it will cope with any wind or rain when it comes.
The heat that's killing me is at least drying drying out aunts place nicely. And, our builders seem to have mainly gone on holiday which is a relief, even though really we need them finished and gone.

Done lots of watering, and some slow gentle garden tidying which has resulted in a couple of sacks out, and a full compost bin. But it's still managing to be mainly out of control.
But as they say today is another day.

@WearyAuldWumman Good luck.

@BlueSummerBaby thank you. I don't see these things unless someone's kind enough to tell me.

Willow screen update: as I thought, it's been trampled a bit - but not as badly as chickenwire alone.

I have dug up two volunteer hollies from the base of my hawthorn hedge and have heeled them in in front of the screen.

So far as clutter is concerned, have put out some plantpot covers that I don't want plus some more clothes that don't fit properly or look good (via the municipal tip rag bag container).

@WearyAuldWumman Well done! Here it's been launderette, more watering, small amount of cutting back, but also two large sets of shelves re homed.
Now paying for not much.

Hello, I haven't posted for a long long time. I think over a year haven't posted on here. I was in the situation then that I had to clear out a lot of stuff, especially in the bedroom, half of the room was full to the ceiling and so much to do and I was really worried as I had to get someone into the property before I could sort out some financial situations had to have a valuation and people to survey the property and I managed to get it done.

It was incredibly stressful, I mean worst time of my life really can't explain, but I'm sure many understand those situations, when you think you don't know how you're going to carry on, but I cleared so much out. I spent months and months and had to take the time off work sick doing clearing and kept putting off the financial situation and I was worried I wouldn't have anywhere to live.

But I did it, got the financial thing sorted but it was still very difficult as you know once you're older when things are such a mess it's hard to deal with. Things had got very bad from all the years of neglect and I've had a leaking tap for a long time, I couldn't get someone in due to the hoarding, for a leak in the kitchen the tap won't turn off fully anymore.

I've been away from my flat for 6 months looking after my mother while my stepfathers in hospital and now I've got reports that someone heard water running in my flat and it's been broken into and they called the fire brigade, so just phoned management company and got to go there tomorrow so stressful, all the issues with with the property seems never ending.

I've got to go there tomorrow morning, having OCD plus of course hoarding makes it so difficult, although I've cleared so much it's still a mess really but most of the stuff gone but you know what it's like, you get the aftermath of the hoarding and it was neglected for so many years, nearly 20 years, I feel overwhelmed these days dealing with it all, all of you being hoarders I know you understand the distress of these situations.

I know how you feel. Sending support.

@WearyAuldWumman thank you really need all the emotional support right, on my way to my flat now, got that overwhelmed upset feeling, no fun feeling panicked.

I'm out of spoons. Chronic illness.

Been on holiday. It was good but busy. A week of intensive packing/washing before. 2 weeks of walking daily and physical effort of carrying stuff down the garden to the car, driving home and carrying it all up two flights of stairs. It's still in the kitchen as I ran out of oomph. Kids suitcases have been emptied of clothes and washed. Food was unpacked.

I've had a day trip to relatives, social club and walk to physio over the weekend and I've just run out of energy. I managed a big shop yesterday but still didn't get everything.

I'm back to being tearful, a bit snappy and easily fatigued.

I'm feeling frustrated. I always hope it will be different and I can get stuff done when I get home...

Today's effort:
Move a teeny tiny cupboard and start picking up things ds has knocked behind it.
Wiped 4 antibac bottles.

Plunged a plughole.
Made myself food.
Took my tablets.
Huffed in a peak flow. X2
Absolutely exhausted.

Last 4 years or so:

It's been a hell of a two years driving to college.260+ miles per week
Still not 4 years since a big bereavement that ds took badly.
Puberty and menopause, (one very lippy teen)
Two goes round the two week pathway. (Thankfully clear)
MRIs
A chipped bone (kiddo's)
Both teens and I are autistic
Ebsa , GCSEs and A levels, A levels and Btecs(4years)
University applications/accommodation etc
Kiddo's bad mental health.
Kiddo's bad asthma. (Hospital and drs couple of times, )
My physical health has got worse. (Eyes, balance/vertigo, ears, mobility) Emergency eye hospital x2
Ex being ex.
Ex has moved twice.
Respite care stopped
4 plumbers
2 heating engineers
Tree surgeon
Window replaced (vandalism)
Chimney damaged by wind, chimney removal.
Arson attack on flats
Ex nearly set fire to his house.(Fire brigade attended)
Other local flat/house fires have left me with PTSD like symptoms (not diagnosed)

It's supposed to be better now they've finished education but I've not yet recovered but my brain thinks I should bf doing this that and the other now!

Hello everyone. Just popping my toe in the door...

Live in a small house with my adult DD and have way too much stuff. I feel so sad and ashamed that DD never has her friends over as she is embarrassed of the house.

It really is a mess, my motivation at weekends is shockingly bad.

I have a week off work soon and I need to tackle it.

I struggle to let go and have been back to charity shops in the past to get stuff I donated back.

I don't know where to start so will click some of the links in the op!

Would love some tips too.

Hi everyone, the big declutter course, which I did and found helpful, is coming up again soon (it's annual). It's totally free for the live, real time participants (which means watching YouTube videos that's all). If anyone wants a free ticket then the email address is on A Hoarders Heart latest video (don't want to post it here in case it's against advertising rules). It's one week long and there'll be a paid option no doubt for those who want to do it but aren't available that week (which means lifetime access to do it in your own time/pace), this was the option I did last time.

Just killing time here while teen gets his shit together and leaves for his dad's. I hate this transition bit. I need to eat but can't while they are in and out the living room, up and down stairs, etc.

Bit more energy today but need to not push too hard and set back recovery. Pacing!

Three carrier bags of recycling gone.
Birthday present bag emptied and stuff assigned to each house. Just two things left to sort.

DD pot the washed pots away.

Good luck @Sunshineandrainbow whatever you manage to get done will be helpful.

And I'm finally alone!

Contractor tomorrow. Imposed not chosen.

Been cleaning the carpet in the hall. DD is probably dyspraxic and the bit just outside the kitchen and at the bottom of the stairs was beyond grim where she spills juice, soya milk, coffee etc. it's also where we come in and out the flat. I used to scrub it every 6 months or so. It's not been done since mum died, so about 4 years now. I've spent 5 hours on cleaning/tidying the hall and carpet today. And the loo where the water was disposed and the kitchen sink where I was washing my hands.

Still going with my declutter from last month. Hit 68 items out now, aiming for 100 by end of September. This week I finally sorted the junk drawer in the kitchen: three batteries that definitely do not work, four takeaway menus from places that have closed, and a tape measure I did not know I had. Donated a bread maker I have not used in two years. The one-in-one-out rule is the only thing keeping me honest at this point.

Well done @TidyHome

Allowed myself to cut up an old bath towel into cleaning rags (which are being chucked out as they're used).

Threw out a heap of past-their-use-by-date packets of vegetable seeds.

Saw that the local farm café has a set of word searches, etc for customers' children, so took in a box of half-size pencils that I'd bought from Amazon when I was still doing supply teaching.

Shredded and threw out a lot of old paperwork.

Well done @WearyAuldWumman

That's a lot of work.

I need to excavate my sewing machine.

Thank you @BlackeyedSusan! Still fighting the good fight 😄 The hoarder's struggle is real.

I'm here. My spoons have also depleted somewhat. I've had appointments galore in recent times, and more to come along with a surgery at some point too.
Work is tough going, and money is in short supply. So is my motivation. Only the very basic keeping up with laundry, washing up and running around after mum.
Neighbours complained to the council again about my overgrown garden. If that was my only problem...

Well done to those of you getting some things done. Commiserations to those that are struggling.
@Sunshineandrainbow we get it. You are in a safe space here with us.
@KingArthur1964 welcome back. It sounds like you did a lot. Sorry to hear about the water issue. I have an overflow problem so I understand and appreciate where you are coming from.

Will return. But right now, I need to sleep. Shame that my neighbour is as usual gabbing loudly on the phone outside. My windows are totally inadequate in their very old age state. Her voice is doing my head in.

My garden is a jungle, for what it's worth. I did manage to cut the boundary hedge.

I've managed to use up a bottle of wooden floor treatments, so that's another bottle in the recycling...Not much, I know, but...

Using things up definitely counts @WearyAuldWumman ! I find it helps actually. Every time I clean the floor or shampoo my hair or whatever, I'm not only taking care of one thing I'm also decluttering and working towards another empty bottle.

Hope you got some sleep @Solo .

If anyone wants to see a storage unit decluttering, Space Maker Method on YouTube has a series just started of doing one with the aim of consolidating several units into a few less units.

A big hug to everyone that's going through bad times. Our decluttering hit a bit of a crisis point forcing us to get a move on with the loft from hell. It's an old house and we discovered the roof is leaking at one gable end & also both gable walls have crumbling ancient mortar that needs remedying so we decided we had to completely clear the loft but the quotes we got were quite steep & it needed sorting through, as there were photos and keepsakes in there . In the end we did it bit by bit, dumped loads at the tip, donated to the local hospice & got books etc collected by Anglo doorstep collections (there are other doorstep collection companies). We put some in storage and I listed & sold a few things online. I never knew there was a market for 'vintage' 90s toys and certain cult videos. My partner's friend was an absolute godsend and helped with the final push to get it cleared. Having chronic illness makes things like this extremely taxing & my partner has his own health issues to manage. Now just got to get the rancid old insulation rolled up and bagged which we will use professionals for. Waiting for my go-to roofer to get back to me about repairing the roof & a heritage restoration bloke for the Victorian brickwork pointing. Then insulated properly and boarded out. It's exhausting! Keep up with the good work everyone!