| Anon | Posted: 18 February 2018 - 08:01 PM |
Am I wasting my time? TL;DR- lvl IV hoard relationship advice... I began dating my boyfriend 7 years ago. I met him on a vacation, and fell for him in such a way that I moved across the country for him. I worked very hard to be there with him. I had to work 2 jobs so that I could afford rent- this is LA! He inherited a home, but it is so hoarded I could not live there, and to be quite honest I wouldn't want to live there. I didn't care, I just loved him. He inherited the home from his deceased (of 20+years) grandfather. This home has since become the second family home, as his parents are also hoarders (or at least tolerant/ contributing to the problem), and their "main family home" is hoarded 10x as bad (I am sorry- I am new and don't know the proper levels of severity). The main family home does not have a functioning kitchen, so the family usually comes together at the second home. They were very slow in letting me into their daily lives, which i understood afterwards. It took about a year for them to let me into their homes. Once I discovered the severity, and after trying to internalize my anxiety and do everything in my power to not be judge mental, I began to worry about what was causing this, if it was just years of disorganization or if we lived together would it look like this? I am a neat freak- by my own standards, and definitely by my boyfriends. I cannot stand dust, or clutter. I like things to look fresh and inviting. I suffer from anxiety which I have pretty well controlled, but the environment of both of the homes is very triggering for me. Anyway I got so financially strapped that I had to move back across the country with my parents. He told me he would clean the house so that I could stay with him. I saved up again, got a better job, moved back. The house looked worse. The second bedroom was no longer in use. It was so full you could not go in or out- at all. I decided I needed to get an apartment for myself again. I got an apartment, and it is more expensive than ever before. He tells me he is cleaning, and that I am welcome to move in. And now, I am back in the same situation I was 3 years ago. I am financially strapped again and he is saying that I could sell my things and move in with him, into his grandfathers home. I don't have a problem getting rid of my things. I like doing it, it makes me feel relaxed and more free from attachment. But even though I help him clean every day, we get so little done. I try to be supportive while we clean. I never try to throw anything out. I will make suggestions, "I know a little girl who would really like these toys..." "these kids computer games would sell great at a garage sale!" "Would you consider donating this to goodwill?" I feel stuck. He knows what this is doing to our relationship. I am worried he doesn't care about my life or well being as a person and sees me as another one of his possessions that he treasures and can't let go even if we want to live different lifestyles. I want to live a life free of material things. I would be fine living in a van- I don't need much. He will never leave his nest. He has told me this. I love him so much and can't tell if this is his illness, or if this is just who he is. I don't know if I should give him an ultimatum. I know those don't work. But it's partly the only way I can bring myself to break up with him. I want to help him so bad. He refuses therapy, professional help- even these messaging boards which i direct him to frequently to help normalize the situation. I am so sorry this is so long. | |
Am I an object in the hoard?
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