| Catherine | Posted: 21 April 2012 - 10:58 PM |
I am 44 year old single mother. I see my children half time because of the divorce. My oldest moved out the moment he turned 18. I hoard some, my housework is atrocious. With encouragement from Cory and others on the Chat Room, I have made some progress. I have taken old food out of the fridge and will wash it before the meeting tomorrow. As the bags hold, I am removing unlabled dented cans provided to me from the food pantry. I am almost done washing my bedding and have paid the bills. I pick up something each time I walk from a room, to put it away (file cabinet, trash, toy box, book shelf, toothbrush stand). I don't see a lot of progress. I have NOT brought anything new into the house and the bags keep going out. OK, I bought a gallon of milk, a bag of Chips Ahoy cookies and some stuff to make the water go down the drain again. No Thrift Store stuff, no Craft Store Stuff. I am also quitting smoking. I can't say I am a non-smoker, I have one a week if even that. I've been modifying my life a little at a time. First no smoking in the car. Then no smoking at work (I got a job at an elementary school). Now I avoid the computer room so that I'm not tempted to smoke there. I have had major treatment resistant depression forever. Forever? Well, I remember being in second grade wishing that I was dead. Well, not so much dead, but wishing that I just wasn't. Heck, if getting through this hoarding crap were easy, it would have been done 30 years ago and we wouldn't have the opportunity to share our stories. Heh. How's that for rationalization! Talk to you Sunday Friends, I'd LOVE to hear how your week went. Catherine | |
Replies (37)
| Tillie | Posted: 11 July 2012 - 08:23 PM |
😀 | |
| Catherine | Posted: 11 July 2012 - 06:12 PM |
It has been many months since i've last checked in. I've taken several bags out of the bedroom (the only room with air conditioning). I've thrown away boots I'll never wear again, collections of magazines, clothing that will never even fit over mu shoulders, much less cover my tummy. I'm being treated for depression at the moment. I don[t have a job, so I can spend some time cleaning each day, and spend some time "coming down" from the clean I live in a small house. I will NOT move my stuff outside for the neighbors to see. I cleaned an area, and had to put the stuff I'm keeping right back! However it takes up 1/3 the space it used to. So now I"m moving to a different area, hoping I can clear enough in that area to move the 1/3 left from the first area into. then I can keep going round and round until I know where things are and I can see the floor and have clothes put away in the dresser. I'm not sure they will be folded, I don't want to get all OCD here .... hahaha. I got some anti anxiety meds from the doctor to help with the clean up. Once they kick in, I work 2-3 hours until I'm exhausted. Then I find a place for all the crap I've brought into the middle of the room, take the trash out, and eat dinner and watch another episode of Hoarders on Netflix to keep motivation up. I am supposed to feel some sence of accomplishment with meeting these small goals. Either my ability to feel good has been smooshed by the depression, or (more likely) I've gotten so good at negating good things I repress the feeling before I can even feel it. Either way, doesn't matter much what I feel if I want my room clean. One day at a time. I'm not sure the whole house is possible, I'm not sure finding a job and having enough money to live off of is possible, I'm not sure anything is possible, but I'm not looking that far. I'm just pluggin away. thanks for listening. Talk to you again on Sunday. Yes Tillie, I know I missed Tuesday, Somehow without working, my schedule gets all messed up. Catherine [/size | |
| jilly | Posted: 14 May 2012 - 08:32 AM |
i have adopted the motto, no more items in the house (excluding essential food, etc) each day i get rid of and take items to charity/thrift shop. i am decluttering not to make other people happy but myself! after i have reached my set target of at least 5 items, i am very pleased with myself, because i know i have made it better and not worse! and i know i would love it all to be done in one day but that is unrealistic! it took me a lifetime to accumalate all of this stuff, its not going to go away overnight! good luck, be chilled and enjoy the declutter xxx | |
| catherine | Posted: 12 May 2012 - 03:40 PM |
thanks shannon. keep up the good work. | |
| shannon | Posted: 01 May 2012 - 11:47 PM |
hi catherine im tryn to tackle things myself i try to do a little bit each day ..i have been battling depression as well ive always been sad inside since i was little ..so im a feel good shopper i love dollar stores and thrift stores it makes me feel like a million bucks buying new things i dont really need ,, but im tryn to change for myself and my kids ..i hate coming home to a messy cluttered house and being broke from buying useless items to feel good ,,, keep up the good work catherine your doing great pushing yourself to get daily chores done even thought you dont see the progress it is their and you will eventually see an improvement just keep the motivation alive .. | |
| Catherine | Posted: 22 April 2012 - 10:56 PM |
Posting my goals for the week so I don't forget: do the dishes (which includes putting them away) and clear one counter entirely. I guess i'll have to wash the counter too once it is clear 😉 make an appointment with the Psych people my new insurance covers. actually go to the appointment at the Workforce Development Office on Thursday ... have an appointment with the Dep't of Vocational Rehabilitation and a counselor who helps handicapped people find jobs they can succeed at. My depression has been bad enough it is considered a handicap. That's enough for the week. Not big goals, but attainable. I may do more, but that'll be a bonus. Thanks for the support from my Sunday friends, the people who gather for the Online chat. That really helps. Gives me accountability and encouragement. I'll check in as I complete tasks - just to keep myself accountable. Catherine | |
| Cory Chalmers | Posted: 21 April 2012 - 11:09 PM |
Catherine, Cory | |