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/

@Solo thank you, I did more than I thought possible, one of those situations where there is no choice, it's been the hardest two years ever, only those of us who deal with hoarding would ever understand, I want to move on but I'm not sure what direction I want to take yet, move somewhere else. Sorry to hear the neighbours complaining about the garden, there is always something that's needs doing isn't there. I've been caring for my mum, so moved to her house, still here at the moment.

@CherryRipe1 well done, I have had many of those situations where you get to the point that action has to be taken but as you say it's exhausting, emotionally and physically, it does make a difference if you have support like your partners friend, I got to the stage where I didn't want anyone to come in my home, so very isolating dealing with it all alone.

@KingArthur1964 Good to see you, though sorry about the circumstances. Yes it's often crisis that forces us forward. But I remember well how much you where going through previously and you've managed well despite things both then and now, even if it's been very stressful. Sorry you're having to deal with unwell family and hope things pan out for you.

@BlackeyedSusan Well done! Sounds like a really tough task you've got on top off. Hope you've recovered a few spoons and managed to excavate the sewing machine. I've borrowed one for a few weeks and need to actually sort things out to use it!

Welcome @Sunshineandrainbow. Feel free to stick the rest of yourself through the door too. Just talking about what the problems are can be the start of managing to deal with them.

@TidyHome Well done, sounds like you're getting good habits going there.

@BlueSummerBaby Thank you for the you Tube tip. I think I'll be 'using up' for the rest of my life!

@WearyAuldWumman Well done getting stuff done. Another jungle here too.

@Solo Sorry you're getting problems from neighbors and struggling on the health and finances front too. Running after your Mum will be taking it out of you too. Hope you can look after yourself a little and the operations go well.
Well done on managing to keep the basics together through it all.

@CherryRipe1 Very well done with clearing the loft! Sounds like the de-cluttering part of a major job done and great to have a helpful friend.

I've been unexpectedly stuck in hospital so today's been major launderette day and catching up the surface of what's not been done. But new medication to try and at least a better idea of what's going on with things.
Very sore and tired but there's no peace for the wicked, am going to have to move the contents of one of the storage units bag and baggage, within the next couple of weeks. But also come out to a much needed work contract that should have been started last week, and will have to catch it up an it run alongside moving.

Going down in a bit to take a look at what needs doing and try and work out what has to be done, and how much time it will take.

Good luck Elle!

Sewing machine top is clear. Under the table and chair to sit on needs to be found. Got two important but unrelated deadlines approaching. Kiddo to get to uni and craft project. Hence the sewing machine. Might need to hand sew anyway .

Trailing round buying stuff for uni. Need to work out how to pack it.

Good luck too Susan. Don't know if DC will entertain key ring style trackers, (4 rechargeable for £25) but would have been financially, and aggravation and time saved, worth their weight in gold for Ds for keys, bag, jacket and laptop. ('Find my phone' has also been a biggie) Despite developing lots of good habits, losing track of stuff goes with the territory, he now has them and it's been a game changer. Hope you get time to do the craft project.

Looked at practicalities for moving unit from my end yesterday and went and picked up a load of empty boxes from another unit. Been down to see storage company to see how many hurdles they're throwing into the mix.

Dealt with contractors wanting to come through. And started tackling the mess they've got away with making while I've not been here.

Have hospital appointment today and need to get started on my new work contract if I can, as well as trying to start boxing stuff in the unit ready to move.

Urg. Lots of new stuff brought into the flat.

Hopefully most of it leaving next Saturday!

I am exhausted. 4 big stores. Being able to walk that far was an achievement. I suspect I won't be able to walk much tomorrow!

Interested that you're reacting that way. I wish I did.
One thing I realized, is every time I have to buy lots of materials for a contract I'm getting the buying/collecting dopamine hit the same as back when I was automatically buying lots.. I suspect it was the same when kitting out for uni etc

Sympathies with the exhaustion and concerns for tomorrow. Awake in pain here from results of too much prepping stuff into boxes in the unit and worrying about what state I'll be in tomorrow.

I get dopamine hit from yarn and food.

Drowning in both.

Food because of issues from childhood. Yarn because it is soft and squishy and pretty and so many colours! I want all the colours!

I would have had that dopamine hit if it had not been so busy these last few years. I'm mainly exhausted and stressed.

I can't see how I am going to get it done. I can't see how kiddo will cope. (Worried mum alert) I don't think the loan has come through. Trying to give a good start into adulthood with stuff that might be needed. Agggghhhh. (Young in year and autistic)

I went through a phase of buying remnants of cloth which I kept with a view to 'making something'.

I have started cutting some of them up to use as cleaning rags.