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Housekeeping

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

204 replies

Solo · 07/11/2025 23:20

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 the default server vhost

https://www.theorganisedmum.blog/

OP posts:
Solo · 16/05/2026 12:45

RubySparrow · 14/05/2026 20:07

Hello, just place marking. I have so much stuff to get rid of! Feel like just hiring a skip!

Welcome @RubySparrow we're here to encourage and support one another as much as we can. Every item removed from the clutter and gone from the house/garage, shed or storage unit is a space made. Keep posting.

OP posts:
Jaffapaffa · 18/05/2026 12:26

@RubySparrow something that worked for me was having a supportive and non judgemental friend helping me.

They don't have to necessarily do anything at all - just being there helped me along.

DSIL was brilliant - she not only gently encouraged me, but also took everything away with her, be it for the tip, the charity shop, or to sell.

She has been back several times (she seems to really enjoy bringing order to my chaos) and apparently has a pile of cash for me after selling the stuff she took away!

And the only input I had was deciding what to let go of.

RubySparrow · 18/05/2026 12:32

That’s, my adult children who still live at home don’t want to get rid of anything either! DH stuff other the album cd dvd is in the shed!
The person who would help is my sister but I’m not sure I’m ready for her help, because she ruthless!

Elleherd · 19/05/2026 08:32

@Jaffapaffa Your DSIL sounds great in making the process simpler. Well done,

@RubySparrow It is hard when you're stuck between extremes, and others fill up the spaces as soon as you clear them.

Mainly ground to a halt here last week.. Both Aunt's and our garden have shot up, never ending contractors and their mess, pain and exhaustion, locked out of the unit I need to empty, and others constantly undoing any move forward.
The relentlessness of everything got to me.
Tried to pull myself together yesterday.
Some tidying. Black sack and carrier bag's worth in the bin, and cleaned out the hoover.

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