Thanks Tillie for advice on clutter creep, so true, I like thinking someone is coming over every week. Someone is coming tomorrow, so am getting another chance to practice my clutter vision.
Tat I find it difficult to change schedule so usually bed at 11pm, up around 7am
Got heat gun out this morning and foam filler. I want to go fix area with leak, but like all things I am not experienced with, I am stalling from fear of doing it wrong. So have to just go do it.did fix a couple of things in here this morning. Took 1/2 hour to get puter to work, have to turn on and off, twist screen hold at different angles. Know I have to get a new one or get this fixed.
ok off I go to face foam.

Great advice, Tillie. Diane and Dianne, I loved Diane's remark re vision. So clever and so true.

Going to go work on some of the bags of my brother's mail from my car. Need to sort and shred.

Glad you are all here. Appreciate your wisdom. Am feeling like I could've gotten more done this weekend but there's still time left--right? I'm worried re going into work tomorrow because I've been staying in bed late the past two weeks and I've only been in the office four times in the last three weeks and each time it was a struggle to only be an hour late for work--yikes. So I need to concentrate on getting to bed early and getting up with the alarm tomorrow, not two hours after it!!

CREEPING CLUTTER

Everybody, even clean freaks have to always be on guard against the creeping clutter.
It always starts out small, innocent and harmless looking.
But it silently grows larger and larger until it overwhelms us.

Every day we must take a few minutes to look around our homes to spot any creeping clutter starting to take root.
It loves to grow on any flat surface. Tables, counters, top of TVs, etc.
It will also often take root on the floor near front and back doors.
It loves to grow around your favorite place to sit in the house until you are unable to even find the couch, chair or bed.
Creeping clutter MUST be ripped out by it's roots, every day.

Many people are stricken with
CLUTTER BLINDNESS

A great way to help overcome this affliction is to clear and clean an area to your satisfaction then snap a photograph of the area/areas.
Keep this photo on hand.
Daily look at the areas, then look at the photo.
What do you see in the area that is not present in the photo?
Do you see creeping clutter starting to take root?

Pay very close attention to all flat surfaces.
Put things away where they belong after you finish using them.
Make it a habit to once every day to run around the home collecting and disposing of any and everything that is deemed trash.
Take the trash out.

Daily look around your home and ask yourself
"Would I be mortified if someone dropped in on me right now?"
Rate the level of mortification you would feel.
Level one, "I could survive the visit."
Level ten, " I would rather the earth opened up and swallowed me."
Take the time needed to do enough clearing and cleaning to get and keep the mortification level down to level five or less.

Weekly, pretend that someone will be dropping by some day during the week.
Clear and clean enough so that you can be company ready with just an hours notice.

These are tricks/tips that I use myself.
Look around and see what tricks or tips will work for you to help conquer the
Creeping Clutter Monster.

🙂

Tat, my big clean-up was last summer too. But I'm thinking not being here for most of it was a mistake. Hoard was cleared from all but 2 bedrooms but there was still way, way too much stuff. I figured as I went thru more it would be easier. It hasn't been and working on my attitudes hasn't been as effective though I keep trying. But Today Is A New Day right? Every single one. 🙂

Everyone have some fun today!

Hello everyone, great reading your posts. Could not use my computer past couple of days, poor old puter only works for short times, once in awhile. A new couple brought their dog over this morning to check me and my place out. I thought it was going to be yesterday, misunderstanding. I have been a cleaning fool past several days. Living area is once again liveable. Took more than 3 hours Tillie, more like 3 & 1/2 days. Amazing how I don't see clutter creep clearly until someone says they are coming here, then my vision improves dramatically. Kitchen looks so much better with counters clean. I think I will never let them mess up again. so how does clutter creep back time and time again. Feels so much better now.
It is finally over 32 degrees today. My reward for all the cleaning was to paint some shelves out in the
sun. Snow is finally melting, still lots left. Yesterday I shoveled snow to allow the couple and dog to get in. One load of laundry, hanging frozen on line. I have not been in car for probably 2 weeks, snowed in. Tomorrow will try to go down my steep street, still slick ice, rest of roads look fine. Today garbage truck kept sliding back down my hill, it had chains on, so knew I could not go today;.

Dianne, good for you to recognize the issue and am thrilled that you aren't beating yourself up--just remember the feeling next time the binge-shopping starts to overtake your reasoning powers! I've been doing a good job on not buying multiples. My multiple habit stemmed from wanting to make sure I had something in case someone would need it/my desire to be viewed as helpful and resourceful and generous. It is coming fairly easily for me, but remember, my massive clean out started last summer. Being "fresh" off of that is helping me.

Tillie--I'm glad to see you will be having some relief soon. I laughed on the toddler comment, then smiled, then agreed. I am sure you will find cleanung very satisfying!

I worked on my car trunk today and it has a lot of mail belonging to my brother that needs to be shredded. Took two bags home with me to work on tonight. I took my things to goodwill (unwanted Christmas gifts--lovely but NO) and got rid of the two bags of stuff I took out of my library closet--stuff that I wasn't ready to get rid of during the summer.

Tat, you sound great! I hope today's plans were successful for you.

Good morning 🙂

Can't wait till Monday!
He has been home ALL the month of December and is still here....
BUT! he returns to work on Monday!!!! 😀
I have let the housework go since I was always having to follow him around, cleaning up all his messes.
Monday my plan is to clean house.
Will take me about three hours to get it all done. 🙂
Then I plan to rest for the rest of the week.
Honestly, it is much easier having a toddler around. At least they take naps.

Ugh my post disappeared! Wishing everyone a good day! Have some definite goals in mind including getting recyclables out, going to goodwill, and working on living room.

Going to go see brother now. Hope all is well. I'm feeling strong and in a good spot to make decisions.

Working on daily cleaning and decluttering. Will be checking chat every now and then if anyone cares to join me. Also still looking to connect with fellow hoarders in my area(Syracuse, NY). If anyone out there is in the area please be sure to let me know. You can find me most days in chat in the online support group section of this site.

Her stuff, her decisions. I love the succinctness! And what a great feeling to have something be someone else's issue! Great work today! Tillie, that sort of organization sounds very satisfying! Congratulations Dianne and Tillie!

I've been napping. Going to unload dishwasher and make something to eat. Very hungry on the one hand, very comfy on the other hand.

Wow Tat, that's a huge amount of work in such a short amount of time!

My daughter and I got some paperwork separated from junk papers and set aside for further organization. We got two large bags of trash and refilled the big recycling bin with cardboard. The truck is filled with trash waiting for the dump to reopen tomorrow. 3 loads of laundry done. One bag is set aside to take to other daughter's house ~ her stuff, her decisions. 🙂

WTG! Tatoulia! 😀

Today I removed everything from the walk in pantry.
Cleaned, sorted, evaluated and organized stuff as I put it back in.
Everything is "up-to-date".
Best of all is that I did NOT find any weevils, pantry moths, carpet beetles or any other kind of signs of wildlife in there. 😀

Happy New Year!

I stayed in bed til after 1:00 today and am proud of my accomplishments in the few hours I've been up--I've done 4 loads of laundry (cat blankets, human pjs, duvet cover, sheets) and I've shampooed the rug in my "library". I vacuumed library sofa and living room sofa, and I'm pretty plased. Still stuff out and about, but I got two big bags together for goodwill--containing items I wasn't ready to give up this summer but I am ready to say goodbye to today. Have created room in library closet and am going to think for a while re best use of the shelf space. This will naturally encourage me to think about what I'm keeping and storing in my closet.

Hope you are all well! Thinking of each and everyone of you!

Lue, welcome and happy new year! I don't use the chat but hope to see you here again--you need to do whatever will be most helpful to you.

I have to get showered and dressed for New Year's Eve. Heading out with BF. Thinking of you all and am extremely grateful to have you. Be safe everyone.

I am rather new to the site. I am learning to use this message board but I think I like the chat much better. I will be there for a little while if any one cares to join me.

Good morning everybody

Stay warm. Stay safe.
🙂

Good morning all. It was 42 degrees in here when I got up this morning. Still have running water. Already up to +1 degree, below zero wind chill. Plan to shower wash hair this morning as soon as warms up in here.
Roxie used to say she would fill a bin with clutter then take each item to its home or toss.I will do that to sewing table today, since just churning stuff on it now. Dishes all done, may do one load laundry after shower. Dianne like small bites. Glad you rested up TAT, and LR great you accomplished so much. I will be on chat today to get motivation to get stuff done. work sessions are like magic to keep me focused for 15 minutes. Last day of year, what will new year motivate you to do>

Diane, good for you adding the extra layers of insulation to protect pipe, it's feeling snug and warm now. :)I'm so happy you've rejoined this board too, you have definitely breathed life back into it!

Much love to all ~~~

Good morning, everybody. I just wanted to report that I was able to finish my goals for yesterday, and that I was also able to get a number of other things done yesterday through "buddy system work" in the chat room. I appreciate all of you who post here and those who give support in the chat room (and, of course, those who do both). I hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve!

Good to read everyone's posts. Keep up the good work and stay warm. Did not accomplish anything today. Climbed into bed when I got home from work, watched the national news and fell asleep. Sometimes I just need to do that. Up feeding kitty then will wash face and go to bed for the night.

Good to read all your posts. I am grateful for you all. LR post when you can.

Good morning all. Smaug, I too was an aggressive shopper, addiction to getting what I want, without regard to others. Just like a drug addict would treat others in the way of them scoring a fix.
Dianne, thanks for the kind thoughtful comments, and yes would prefer to be at beach house!!! This winter is a repeat of last years cold, and I am grateful I prepared better this year. Thanks. LR I like your idea to post to do's. I still am afraid of failing if I write it down, here goes, this morning I am going to clear off sewing table. Go through box of papers and sort for taxes.
Tat hope you are enjoying your day. Tillie, I enjoy my frozen clothes too. Since dryer broke have learned to hang in cold. Always have had a dryer in winter. Have a drying rack in garage, I just remembered so can hang in here easier. BRRRRRRRRRRRR have stove and heater on and it is still so cold. Wind chill will be -15 even during day weather man just said. Do have to go out to freezer room and put light bulb on over pipe that froze last year, in that room, even though insulated well and freezer is next to it. Yesterday I put several more layers of insulation over pipe area that broke under trailer. Water still running, tonight is the real challenge. Enough about that. Just want to say how much better I feel since rejoining this message board and how much I care for each of you

Like Smaug on Treasures: I'm sorry about your struggles with the shopping aggression, but it's great that you are taking positive steps (like sharing about it and working with a therapist) to recover from it. To me, the fact that you have concern about not giving enough attention to your niece at Target shows you have a very good heart. (PS I wrote this before having seen what Dianne just posted. Looks like she and I both are of the opinion that you're on a good track.) Lots of hugs.

Good morning, everyone. It's been a while since I posted specific goals for the day. (I was doing that almost daily starting back in the springtime, and it really helped me.) I think I'll try that again this morning . . . to just post a few, very do-able goals.

I plan to spend at least 10 minutes this morning on dishes, 10 minutes looking for things I can trash or shred, and spend at least ten minutes looking for a certain set of related items that need to be packed together into one moving box (they are currently scattered in various locations here, rather than all in one spot). I also plan to add to my gratitude list.

Have a good day, everyone. Hugs.

Hey Smaug,

Hi All! I hope everyone is doing well.

I'm pretty lucky that it's not snowing and exceptionally cold here in the Smokies. It's a few degrees cooler than normal. I'm getting used to this central heat and air in my parents' house. For many winters I was extremely cold. It makes me really appreciate what I have now.

About hanging clothes on the line when it's cold. Sometimes I wash smaller loads and find room in the laundry room to hang them. Of course I have to clear off the rack from laundry I've done but never put in the closet to make room for new laundry to dry. I feel for you and your poor fingers hanging out laundry in the freezing temperatures.

Thanks for all of the responses to my question about if shopping brings out aggression in you. I feel so much guilt after the fact if I'm not polite. When I look back on it I want to cry. However, in the moment I'm so wrapped up in the thrill of the hunt that my eyes are probably glazed over. I didn't even take time out to talk to my niece when she saw me at Target. I feel so bad about that.

Anyway, I see my therapist today and we'll talk about it. Thanks for letting me vent.

Diane, congrats on all your prep work getting ready for this snow and bitterly cold weather! WTG especially for getting up that gate protecting your walkway from blowing snow!

take care everyone!

By all my posts you can tell I am stuck inside today!~! Tat, are you sure you want to be in below zero weather? Come and check it out!!!
Tillie, thanks for your note, and that you have oil filled heaters on. I never use mine but drastic weather calls for drastic action. Wind chill minus 20 degrees predicted, high 8 tomorrow, so will be wasteful and have electric heaters on and wood stove going. Water running. Already filled water bottles just in case, will also fill tub with water for toilet flushing if pipes freeze. Also have gallons of water I bought thanks to Tillie. My soup turned out so good, even chopped up onions, potatoes, carrots, usually just use frozen vegetables. So happy I cleaned kitchen and made soup. I got on support group in afternoon when I couldn't finish cleaning kitchen, it got me moving again. 2 women friends called to check on me because I live in old trailer on hill and wind chill is so cold and still snowing. Felt good to hear they thought of me, right when I was feeling trapped. I did go out and turned car around and closer to street in case need to drive, stayed inside other than that, toes thank me. Also swept snow off steps and walk to car.

WTG! Diane 😀
Stay cozy near the fire and enjoy the pretty lights.

Tomorrow the temps here are 8 degrees all the way up to 30 degrees with a 30 percent chance of snow.
I have two electric oil radiators that the cats love to lay near.
They toast their little toes under the radiators.

The grocery store was pretty empty of shoppers and the shelves were all well stocked.
Nice to have some fresh food again. 🙂

Everybody stay warm. 🙂

Dishes all done, soup is cooking. Wind is blowing from North and I am celebrating my work yesterday which is preventing snow from flying in walkway.
Weatherman fibbed, 1-3 inches of snow, already over 6 inches here.Happy I have wood on deck.Living large today, actually turned on electric heater plus wood stove to warm it up in here. Being cold was my reason to not go into kitchen and do dishes, now done. Vacuumed around wood stove. Next adventure, clean rest of kitchen.

If you want to trade houses that works for me, Diane. Would love the cold wintry weather! Leave the Christmas lights up--does sound cozy! God bless you and Tillie for doing so much in the cold. Take care of your fingers and toes!

I will write more later-- very inspired by reading everyone's posts. So good to see my friends.