HI EVERYBODY! :D

Hi Mar :)
GREAT to "see" you! :D

Hi Violet :)
Happy the garbage situation has been solved for you! :D

Hi Barb :)
You sure have been busy!
YEA!!! for salsa garden sprouts! :D

Hi Roxie :)
Keep taking good care of yourself (((hugs))) :)

Hi Dianne :)
Take care & come back soon (((hugs)))

Hi LR2014 :)
working with BIT is so good because CBT helps us change the way we experience and feel and think about situations and experiences.
Helps us to re-think our thinking. :D

Hi Diane :)
whenever he hooks up a different modem he has to then "tell" my computer that there is this new modem before it realizes it's there.
He goes into the main control panel to do this.

Hi Cory :)
Always GREAT to "see" you here! :D
WOW! so wonderful that so many are reading here now.

Woke up at 4:30 this morning and couldn't sleep any more.
Got up and did some stuff inside while waiting for the sun to come up.
Went out and watered trees, bushes & shrubs.
Removed & washed window screens.
Hosed down the exterior walls that don't have clutter around them.
Swept porch & walkways.
Washed windows and yard stuff & door mats & porch.
Washed the back door porch floor.
Scrubbed & sanitized litter boxes & dried them out in the sunshine & fresh air.
Came inside and washed the interior sides of the windows that don't have clutter in front of them.
Washed the suncatchers and hung them back in the windows.
Took a shower & washed my hair.
Did three loads of laundry, line dried it, folded it & put it away.
Did other stuff too.
Should sleep soundly tonight. :D

WAY TO GO EVERYBODY!!!
for all you have been doing and for just being you. :)

Dishes done, almost 2 hours on paperwork, filing, tossing, responding. tried for hours yesterday to hook up modem, now back to rented one, very frustrating, shows there is strong signal, just can't connect.
This lack of sleep is no fun at all.
Made a long to do list to see if that would give me some direction.
Vacuumed some more today, that dog really sheds. did one load of laundry and hung out. so windy here, tough to be outside. Partially cloudy. supposed to rain, if not will water.
Sure will be nice to sleep again, 2 more weeks, 27 days total, that is a long time to wake up at 4am to a barking dog. the owner talked me down in price, now am regretting it and feeling a little taken advantage of because they are wealthy and I am pauper status. When tired, notice I focus on negative too much, ok back to big bedroom for another 10 minutes, maybe 7 minutes, already worn out.

Hi to all. Great to read your posts.

Here are my minimum goals for today: Spend fifteen minutes in my BIT book, spend ten minutes on paperwork, add to my gratitude list, and sweep the kitchen. I've been a bit extra stressed the last 24 hours, so I think that finding something to do for a little bit of fun or relaxation might be extra helpful today. I've been feeling somewhat under the weather off and on today, so I probably can't get too "rambunctious" with my for-fun activities.

As I shared at chat last night, I was working in a section of the BIT book yesterday where, as an exercise, you were asked to find three things to try to discard: one that you thought would be easy, one you thought would be moderately hard, and one you thought would be very difficult to get rid of. Then after trying to discard them, you had to answer questions about your experience.

I dealt with the first two categories OK (and took my "moderately hard" item to Goodwill this morning . . . yea!). I had trouble even choosing a "very difficult" item, though. I ended up deciding that for the moment, most of my stuff falls into one of three categories: fairly easy to discard, moderately hard to discard, and impossible.

The good thing, though, is that from things I've done in the past to work on my clutter issues, I already know that I've made attitude progress. Some of today's "easy to discard" items once would have been a part of my no-way category. So the fact that a lot of my stuff is currently in my "impossible" category doesn't worry me too much. I believe that with more time and more work (working in the BIT book, interacting with all of you, etc.), I will keep making attitude progress. I have some faith that my "impossible" category will continue to shrink.

Lots of hugs to everyone.

Back half of the Den is done! I love my new vacuum. sorting laundry and washing more. have dishes and some other stuff to do but I sure am tired. I'll work on things anyways. Still haven't spotted that enormous spider again, i kind of hope I do so I can catch her and get her out of the house. Normally I'd smash her but she's so big I kind of feel she's earned my respect by eating the nasty things around the house.

I'm looking at Dishes, Mud room and Laundry today. It means I'll be downstairs most of the day, but I only have little things to do upstairs aside from the Kitchen.

I hope you all have a great day today, glad to see you Roxie and I'm glad you're doing alright.

I can take watering the garden off my list. It is pouring down rain!

Good morning, all.
Roxie: Please continue to take care of yourself and take the time you need to get back on your feet.
Tillie: I feel for you with the dust. I live 3 blocks up the hill from the farmer's field and it is plowing, planting and fertilizer season. Even though my little house is pretty tight, I am always amazed at the amount of dust that comes in until the crops take root in the ground. I really need to dust and vacuum every day, but I seldom do.

It took me two days to get my one day list done because I also cleaned out the little flower bed by the garage and the bed under the kitchen window.
I need to be outside part of every day either walking or working in the yard. The vitamin D from the sunshine keeps me healthy and improves my attitude. Watching the little seedlings pop up out of the ground, smelling the flowers and herbs, tending my garden, all make me happy.

Reading and working in the book on procrastination is helping me discover that it isn't so much a matter of avoiding work as it is in learning to set priorities. When I was working and caring for family, I wasted time at home worrying about what wasn't getting done at work and time at work thinking about what needed to be done when I got home.
Learning how to balance the priorities in my life and adjust them when needed without beating myself up over what doesn't get done right away is essential.

Today I plan to:
1. Do one load of laundry: sort, wash, dry, put away.
2. Stay current on dishes, clean off kitchen table (grocery bags, priority one bills and correspondence, misc. stuff), vacuum the kitchen floor.
3. One bag of living room clutter out to the toter.
4. Plant impatiens in the bed next to the garage. (Only one cosmo came up this year---not enough sun to thrive.)
5. If it doesn't rain today, water the salsa garden. (The seedlings are up!)
6. Work some in the procrastination book. Decide what i might want to post in that thread.

Have a great day, all!

nearly finished with the den, did a few loads of laundry, got really thrown off of that by a huge spider haunting the place. wormed the cats searched for apartments, and am now trying to set up a doctors appointment.... hoping to get more done tomorrow and more sleep tonight. Sorry I missed the meeting, the Holiday threw me off bad. Garbage situation resolved. The man called today and it seems they changed the billing address without notice causing our auto payments to stop. when asked about why our recycling was still being picked up they said, oh you got free service I guess. sigh... See you all in the Morning.

Roxie, you get on before me, but I hope you can enjoy your morning coffee tomorrow :)

Tillie, hihi!

Got all my posted goals done for today. The specific work I did in the BIT book today took up most of my time this afternoon, so I didn't get a lot else done. Planning to be at chat tonight. Hugs to all!

HI EVERYBODY! :D

WAY TO GO!!!! for all your accomplishments and thank you for the updates on your lives. :)

Was planning to get outside today and finally wash the windows
but...
weather prediction for today is DUST.
So...
really needed to clean inside after that 3 day weekend.
Got it all done! :D
Vacuumed up lots of cat hair and tracked in dirt and kitty litter.
The wind is starting to pick up intensity now.
Maybe tomorrow those windows will get washed. "?"
Planning to cook some food for me to eat.
Something that I can just microwave up later as I get hungry.
This keeps me from unhealthy snacking on whatever is easiest to grab.
I keep thinking today is Monday but it's really Tuesday. lol

TTYL :D

Roxie, I'm glad you're okay. Please take care of yourself. My mom in law tells me that all the time. It's easy to forget but it is so very important.

Dianne, I hope your family problems get resolved quickly and without too much hassle. Good Luck.


Today's plan isn't terribly intricate. It's Monday and I always take it easy on Mondays. That being said, Today the Laundry Room calls I've got a few loads of laundry to do and everything needs to be swept and sanitized. I did clean the cat box last night, I hate doing it, but it's better for everyone that I keep it clean. We switched litters and hopefully this will do a better job.
I also plan on finishing the back half of the den, which mostly means tidying boxes and finding places for the rest of the books. Once I get it done I'll post more before and after pics.
I'll try to get around to the mud room, it's overdue. Definitely though I'll get to using that new vacuum.

Kathy, you are doing great, same with you LR. Dianne thanks for letting us know what you are doing, I wish you the best. Roxie, how are you feeling?
Today I have done several things, wanted to check in here before I try to install new modem in case I lose use of computer if something goes wrong. So if I am gone for a few days; it is techie reasons!
Tillie, did vacuum this morning, thinking of you while going over and over floor, lots of dog hair. Even vacuumed dog for 3 seconds.

My employee was here this morning and she and I finished decluttering the remaining five kitchen drawers and the only remaining cabinet. We used Tillie's method of putting a sheet on the table and she did things like wash items and put batteries in the flashlights, I sorted and organized. This means the kitchen is actually DONE.


I have four (4) meetings the rest of the day, three of them online, and a talk to give tomorrow morning. I'm prepared for the latter. So any chance I get the rest of the day, I'm going to rest. Already talked to my mother, who seemed to be dangerous depressed yesterday, and she is better I think.

I have one box of things to donate from this morning (and others were thrown out) and the box is in the car to take to the Goodwill trailer (closest donation spot).

Morning plans are to sweep or vacuum the kitchen floor, remove the old sponge from the kitchen sponge mop so I can replace it later, then go to the grocery store. Later in the morning, I plan to go to the Laundromat to dry the pillow I washed yesterday, spend twenty minutes walking while laundry is drying, and then meet with some friends around noon.

Later today, I plan to work some more in my BIT book. I'm at a point in the book where a lot of effort, thinking, and writing will be necessary on my part, so I don't know how much else I will get done today (in terms of clutter/cleanup) after that.

Hugs to all.

Following up on my goals for yesterday . . .

There are two easy-to-finish goals from yesterday that I didn't do. Why didn't I do them? Because instead of actually looking back at my posted goals, I was relying on my memory. I "thought" I'd done all my listed goals. Now I know I need to actually look back at my posted list before hitting the sack. I did one of them this morning. I will go do the other one now, and later I will post my goals for today.

I'm so sorry about what's been going on with you physically, Roxie, but I'm so glad you are well enough to post! Since it's not at all like you to go for this long without posting and since (I think) you had a doc appointment scheduled for the early part of last week, I did wonder if you might have been admitted to the hospital for something. I certainly didn't expect a heart attack! (Neither did you, I'll bet.) Whoa! Many, many, many hugs. I have missed you!

Roxie, so happy to hear you survived all of this. Difficult week for you, happy your house is clean and you can just take care of yourself and get your strength back. Hugs to you.

Tillie, I used your sheet idea on the junk drawer that wouldn't close in the kitchen...sorted it into four categories, stored some things elsewhere, and left the office supplies, deck of cards and eyeglass repair kit in the drawer which is now quite clear and not overcrowded. Put away keys (labeled); hardware (in small ziploc bags, labeled), chargers and cables and power cords (in a translucent plastic bin, labeled, in the cabinet under the junk drawer)...and if I wrote this all to the list already, count it as incipient dementia or something but the drawer is decluttered and organized. Threw out some stuff too...Plus I put the sheet I used in the laundry. Ate dinner, dishes in dishwasher. I think I am making some good progress today. I have the material out for the talk on Wednesday and a lot of Sunday's will be usable since it's in a different place.

Things eventually got more quiet around here, so I was able to stick around and work inside longer than expected. I'm taking a break to read posts.

I have an out-of-town friend who is well versed in my clutter issues. She understands quite well that issue that came up on chat last night: what happens inside of us when there is the "threat" of having company. She called this afternoon en route to a certain destination, and I knew she'd be passing by my general area. I decided to play mind games with myself and told her to feel free to stop by (and to not tell me if she was really going to come by or not, so that I'd get busier with my cleaning). She laughed and said (menacingly), "I'm coming over!" I got busy. (I haven't had anyone inside since the last maintenance repair guy came.) She did stop by about forty minutes later just for a moment. In the meantime, I got various things done I would otherwise not have done today. When she left, since I was still "on a roll," I decided to play more mind games with myself. I set the timer for thirty minutes, pretending she still hadn't arrived. (Being able to think imaginatively can be to my advantage at times.) The thirty minutes is up. My sink is now shiny, I finally chunked an item that had been in my way in the kitchen for six months, I got my kitchen floor (almost) ready to be mopped, and did various other little things.

Now I will return to my "regularly scheduled program." Hugs to all.

Wow Monday is a great day to post with new insight I noticed, good going everyone. I hung one framed picture of dessert with blooming cactus on a rocky slope over where I am sitting.
I already filed some stuff, opened camera instructions online then printed off the pages on how to put pictures on computer etc. Made 2 copies, one for file one for where I keep camera. This was after wasting at least 1/2 hour looking for papers.
Put mailing label on return modem box, wrote down ups tracking number etc. Next step is to hook up personel modem so can return theirs, one step at a time. May try today but for sure tomorrow when I know good tech support can be reached.
Went through whole yard on poop patrol, now in garbage can. Left door open last night and was able to sleep until 6am, forget about safety, need sleep, do feel more energetic today.
Attached white tv cable to wall so not just hanging across doorway.
Played fetch.
Today I would like to try out camera instructions to try to email pictures to owner, just had enough after hooking up printer and finding computer manual online and downloaded, then printed. Shall we wait until tomorrow to vacuum tillie, I got it out then ran out of energy for now.
Washed bedding this morning, now hanging on line in sun. When you mentioned how nice it is to climb into a bed with clean sheets, I realized it has been over a week, plus needed motivation to shower and wash my hair this afternoon after I clean up some stuff in yard. It is so nice having the dog sleeping in the organized living room, so peaceful. I can appreciate the progress today.
About procrastination, just like hoarding, easier to see in others for me. Just like the white cable, I do things, then wait to do the finishing touches, when in reality, it only took a couple of minutes to finish today. Modem, afraid I won;t be able to figure it out so wait until I am smarter, that would be waiting forever, so just have to go through the discomfort and do the best I can do. I think learning adult skills of being responsible and making decisions, and taking action, instead of sitting back in fear and blaming others, can be learned, just a task for the brave. I know, enough already.
I would like to do one more load of laundry today, dishes are done, garbage out, feels so foreign to be in here with out dread, of course went into big bedroom today and felt the dread, did work 10 minutes in there, and will do another 10 today now have a timer again. Amazing how timer gives me courage to face things knowing there is an end to discomfort. I can do almost anything uncomfortable for 10 minutes, just have to set the timer and start, even though I do NOT want to and have no motivation to do it, just do it because big girls don't live in a hoard, and no one is going to save me from hoard, except me. Ok really enough now. Thanks for all of your hard work, it really does help to read your progress

The irony of this website is that is needs a massive decluttering! It is becoming very difficult to find the topic you want to post to because there are so many old, outdated posts in the way. LOL (But I am pleased that it is so well used both by new people seeking help and veterans who post every day.)

My Scottie hoards rawhide twisty chew sticks.

Tillie--

The interior door..pocket door...is completely enclosed in the molding, etc. there is no way to pull it out to look at it...house dates from 1973, probably an older way to do it. I heard something snap inside it when I forced it open to get out of my room on Saturday. Thanks, though!

One of the things I have begun to overcome in my recovery is a sense of helplessness because "I don't know what to do" about something.I have realized lately that between Google and prayer, there is pretty nearly nothing that has to fit in this category. The interior door to my bedroom that slides into the wall and isn't working right, has gotten stuck a couple times with me inside, I have realized is a SAFETY ISSUE. And I didn't even know what to call it. So I googled it and discovered it is called a "pocket door." Then I looked at the local classified site, and 1. posted an e-mail to a handyman there, also 2. e-mailed someone I know who works in construction and has done tiling here, and 3. the local pastor who encouraged me to do that when I needed help, and 4. my friend who also lives alone and she mentioned before that she has a handyman who works for her. I'm going to get at least a couple of estimates, and get this fixed. I think that is a lot of progress, even though nothing has actually happened. Might not happen overnight but it's been getting harder to open and shut for a couple of years.

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY :D

Hi Barb :)
Seems like many here would like a thread on procrastination.
Since so many are perfectionists they procrastinate on most everything, wanting to do it all perfectly.

Hi Diane :)
Loved the visual of you back up in the tree fixing the antenna. :D
Changing a dog's schedule and habits can be done but since it's a loaner dog, by the time you get it all retrained it goes back home.
So happy to "see" you in chat last night (((hugs)))

Hi Minnie :)
GREAT plans and goals :D
Hope you get one of your new purses all filled and in use. Enjoy it. :)

Hi LR2014 :)
FANTASTIC idea of putting a photo of the item on the container rather than printed words!
Keep up with all the great thought processes and carrying out the new ideas. :D

Hi Kathy :)
Here is a tip for when emptying out a purse, drawer, bag, etc...
Lay out a large towel or sheet or tablecloth,
dump out the contents onto it.
This way the contents are all contained in one area and items don't wander off and hide.
This is a good time to make those keep/toss decisions.
Only put back the items that you will actually need/use.
Put other "keepers" where they really should go.
Toss everything you don't need/use, is broken or orphaned.

Sliding into the wall doors....
they most often are hung on tracks, sometimes they fall off the track.
They can be removed usually by lifting up on the door and pulling it out towards you.
Then you can inspect the track and wall space to see just what the problem is and fix it. Good luck.

Hi Abbey :)
Nice! :D

Another quiet day out here in the desert, except for all those noisy birds. :D
Everytime I try to gather up all the cat toys and make keep/toss decisions on them, the cats get nervous and grabby, telling me "NO! I NEED THAT!"
Cat hoarder takes on a whole new meaning at my house. LOL :D
Some of their "toys" are nothing but trash like crinkled up bits of scrap paper & shiney wrappers.

My plans for today are to continue on with what I was doing yesterday. I did a little bit of this & that, here & there.
I actually gathered up a small plastic bag worth of donation stuff. :D
His plans are to sit at the computer and waste this georgeous day.

Have some FUN today! :D

Just a quick note: I noticed we already have a thread on procrastination, one that until recently hadn't been used in a while. I started reading some on that thread.

Reading there is giving me the chance to learn some more about many of you who post here and about about how far you have come. It's so exciting and encouraging to see that progress! Looking forward to reading more later!

People upstairs are apparently moving out today. Lots and lots of noise going on. Might be extra incentive to spend time outside working on my vehicle (when it's not raining).

Hugs.

Didn't post what I did yesterday...gave two talks Sunday morning, got back about noon, helped my mother with a dental emergency long distance, went to 4 pm online meeting, missed the evening meeting here--meeting with a friend online and talking with another one on the phone who was upset. All this is good because I tend to isolate myself.

And for today I also need to get the laundry done. I finished my infusion this morning, did some reading and meditating and badly needed resting. WHAT am I going to do with the stuff from my purse? And the junk drawer? how much of it can I actually discard, or keep in such a way that it is findable when I do need it?

And Saturday night my strange bedroom door, which slides into the wall rather than swinging open, got stuck (with me in the bedroom). I do not know how to get it fixed. I don't know who to call even.I got it open but I think something snapped inside

"I see beyond my clutter. I see the orderliness that lies within."
Enjoy this affirmation.

Last night I cleaned out my purse (again) and made a list of what I really need to carry in there all the time. That was spurred by not being able to find my driver's license in my purse for an hour Saturday night when I had to go out and give two talks on Sunday morning. Had dumped my purse on the dining room table to search for it, looked for an hour, still couldn't find it. Finally posted a prayer request on a private Facebook group, my friend posted a prayer and I found it in 40 seconds. Obviously my anxiety about finding it was blocking my vision. But enough is enough, and I am going to stop carrying unnecessary stuff around with me and using my purse as a trash can. Now I have a bin of stuff from the purse that I have to find a better place for. I also have a junk drawer in the kitchen that can't even close. I think that would be a good place to start today after my gamma globulin infusion is finished. And I have to give another talk on Wednesday, so preparation for that.

Barb: Yes, I would be interested in a thread on procrastination.

Some of my plans for today: To work on my plans for the week, add to my gratitude list, pay some bills, find permanent homes for two more things from my kitchen countertops, spend ten minutes working in the BIT book

A note from yesterday: I failed to mention that I worked in my BIT book while I was at the Laundromat.

Hugs again to all.

Today I plan to:
1. Do one load of laundry: sort, wash, dry, put away
2. Mop and wax the entry
3. Clean the kitchen

Today's thunderstorms should water the garden for me.

Good morning, everyone.

Here is my "yesterday" report. I got some dishes washed. Also, I got started working on organizing my vehicle. We had rain a lot in the afternoon, so I couldn't get much done on that task. (No garage.)

I mentioned that I was "shopping at home" for containers for some of those items in my vehicle. Well, I already had a set of plastic drawers near my dining room table that I had recently begun to "repurpose." I had put things in those drawers recently that previously had been on my dining room table. I didn't have much in there yet (I thought), and I concluded (at first) that the drawers might be used even better if they were in the back end of my vehicle. When I opened the drawers to clear them out so I could move them to the vehicle, I discovered in the second drawer a couple of "missing" remote controls and also a couple of big rolls of packing tape. I had put those items in there a mere two or three weeks ago, but I'd already forgotten I'd done that. It was "such a surprise" to open the drawer and find those in there. I decided to scrap the new repurposing plan and just leave those drawers and remote controls right there, now that I remember where I put them.

Diane, I think you mentioned making a list of where you put things when you give them new homes. I've been thinking that will be helpful to me, too. I might put the list in a digital file on my computer, so that I can use the "search" feature on my computer to help me find the list.

Karl has mentioned labeling things when we put items into new containers and move them. Yesterday morning, I tried a variant of that. I'd found just the right sized box for the 18v batteries I have in my van. Instead of writing "18v batteries" on the box (words I might just overlook in a rush), I took a photo of one of the batteries, printed it out, and taped it to the box. Being a more visual person when it comes to this stuff, I thought that maybe having the picture might help me remember the contents of the box better than seeing a conventional label. Not everyone has this option to take and print out pictures quickly, but I do. It might work for me.

I spent time with family during the middle of the day, then I came home and dried and put away my laundry.

Glad to be at the chat last night and to meet some new people.

Minnie, I wanted to elaborate last night on the purses. You'd said you didn't have a purse before buying these, I believe. I had a time period a couple of years ago when my purse got messed up and I didn't have a replacement purse for a while (or so I thought). I had started putting items that had been in my purse into plastic bags. The plastic bags worked for a little bit to at least keep the items together, but it wasn't very ideal (and you can't exactly take the plastic bags into stores with you). I later shopped at home and found a purse that was given to me years before that I'd forgotten I had. I was able to transfer my stuff into that. I also found or bought a very usable wallet, and my purse contents have been much more organized ever since. I'm glad you got a purse for yourself, since you didn't have one.

More later. Hugs to all.

Thank you to all who were on the chat tonight. I appreciate the encouraging words and I didn't get a chance to say thanks. This weeks plan is to declutter! LOL Goal is 4 bags out of the house to make up for the 4 purses in. Extra goal is clean and clear around dining room table and pick up around art area. Hopefully by next Sundays chat, I will be able to report success in these 3 goals. Minnie

Hello all. Today I started by doing a couple days worth of dishes. Must be snacking more due to lack of sleep, sure alot of dirty dishes.
Enjoyed my view/yard, played fetch.
Fresh water and food for pooch.
decided to finally take black cable from antenna in aspen tree and replace it with white cable. It bugs me daily to see that black cable across wall, also bugs me that all the wind made antenna almost fall out of tree. Climbed tree and attached antenna with a metal hook, so is back up higher and still gets good reception and is much more secure and I feel much safer, sitting under the tree.
I loved reading that Sunday is a day of rest, got a smoothie, layed on lounger on deck and took several deep breaths and actually relaxed for awhile. I took several pictures of dog yesterday and today to email to his parents. So frustrating to try to get onto computer. I filed directions away in a 'convenient" place, no where to be found. I have now lost timer, instructions and appt. calender due to new homes for them. Guess I really will have to write down where I think is the perfect home so I can find it again. Wasted over an hour trying to download, and looking for instructions, just more reason to have a permanent home for all things. Looking forward to chat, although my mind is foggy from lack of sleep for a week. When tired get so much less done, which makes me question if dog sitting is worth it. All 3 dogs I have taken care of get up between 4am and 5am with their owners. Today I wondered if all 3 families are so successful in life because they get up so blankety early. There has to be away to get dogs to change their schedule while here. Also did some filing, bill paying
see you at 5

10 short areas should read 10 short chapters. Stupid autocorrect.

Sunday is my day for rest, reflection and planning the week ahead.
I downloaded a new book and took it to the park to read this afternoon. I am reading it straight through to get all the main ideas fixed in my head. Then I will go back and work through the exercises one at a time over a matter of days. It is written in a way that is very friendly to people who have difficulty concentrating on learning material from a book. It has only 10 short areas. The main ideas are introduced at the beginning of the chapter, examples are given, and exercises are included so that you may apply the strategies to your own life. The main points are reviewed and connected to related ideas. The text is broken up with cartoons that relate to the main idea.
The book is called Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy A. Pychyl. He is a psychologist and writer who has made a lifelong study of research on the topic of procrastination.
I am currently on Chapter 9 which discusses the topic of procrastination and perfectionism.
After I finish reading the book, I might start a new thread devoted to procrastination. Is anyone else interested in discussing this topic?

Hello :)

Hi Billie :)
Fantastic job! you are doing there.
So great that you have found alternating tasks works for you! :D

Hi Barb :)
Summer or winter I never sit around. I take about 8,000 steps a day and always stand when doing tasks, like right now.
Hope your casserole is delicious! :D
Been wanting to make my lasagne for ages now but can't have it since I gave up all dairy and without all the cheeses lasagne would be senseless.
Great opportunity to down size your gardening equipment now that you've already down sized your gardening.
I used to maintain a larger area of the property until I cracked a disc in my back. Now I just keep a smaller more manageable area.

Hi LR2014 :)
The "what's on your table" thread is for keeping in mind whatever is where ever we need to pay more attention. :)
Areas in our lives where it seems things pile up and can never be foung again or areas that we become clutter blind to.
WAY TO GO!!!! for remembering to "shop at home".
You are begining to see things through new eyes.
Find a tote, crate, box, laundry hamper, whatever to hold the items you are tired of always having to search for.
Happy you had drinks with you out there (((hugs))) :D

Would be a very quiet morning here except for all the birds singing, chirping and carrying on.
Had some good dreams last night. Dreams that showed me the way. Not to solving any issues to living with a squalorous hoarder who's in denial but ways to my inner peace.
Going to get busy today rearranging, rethinking and reimagining my no clutter zone sanctuary.

Was thinking about all the souls who have gone on.
The cemetery always looks so pretty at this time.
Full of fresh flowers and little flags fluttering in the breeze.

Wishing you all a peaceful day. :)

Good morning, everyone.

I did get my laundry put away yesterday morning, went to my meeting, and later went out to that rural area to do some work. I also had a (not previously scheduled) brunch with a new friend. That's good, because I'm working toward getting away from my self-imposed isolation.

I had carefully packed things a few days ago so that I would be ready to go do my work out in that rural area. (Yes, Tillie, I made sure to pack something to keep me hydrated.) When I arrived out there yesterday, I was ready to get my sunscreen out of my vehicle and put it on. I knew that I had that sunscreen "in there somewhere." I looked in a couple of places where I thought it would be, but it wasn't in those two places. I thought, "Well, I'll get busy with my work, maybe not work as long as I'd planned, and then use my sunscreen next time."

I had a water hose in that rural area that needed an end replaced. I had previously purchased my favorite brand of replacement parts. I'd seen those parts in just the last couple of days. I was pretty sure that they were in the vehicle. They were "in there somewhere," I'm sure. After looking in one or two places, I decided, "Well, I'll replace the end of that hose later."

Tillie, forget the idea of my listing what's on my countertops. I need to list what's on the seats and in the floorboard of my vehicle! Yes, I know. "The natural state of the seat of a vehicle is clear." "The natural state of the floorboard (most of it, anyway) is clear."

At least I didn't misplace my drink. I took a break before I felt too hot or too exhausted and drank s lot of it. (Actually, I was armed with more than one drink, neither of which got misplaced.) I got overheated out there badly last summer, and I've learned a lesson from that.

I'd say that three fourths of the things in my vehicle are things that I really want to leave inside the vehicle to use for various away-from-home work tasks. But obviously, I can't use them if they're scattered and I can't easily find them when I need them. I was thinking about various types of containers I could buy to help organize them. Then I remembered either diane or Dianne talking about shopping at home. I have a lot of "organizing containers" at home that would serve a better purpose if they were in the back of my vehicle. Right now, many of these "organizing containers" (for which I spent a decent amount of money) contain items I haven't used in years (and probably will never use again).

Sounds like I have a new organizing project on my hands. I'll let you know how that project goes.

Hugs to all.

it is so good to see everyone so productive.

Billie, one of these days I will have to go through all the garden related stuff in the garage. Since I just have the small beds at my house now and have given up the community plot, there really is no point in keeping the heavier equipment, soaker hoses, etc.

Tillie, being a little sore after not being very physically active over the winter isn't really a bad thing. I am finding that the best thing for it is to get up the next day, move around, and restretch those muscles. Sitting around seems to make me more stiff. The more physically active I am, the better I am going to feel in the long run.
I need to see if I can get a senior summer pass to the city pool which is within biking distance of my house. Swimming a few laps and then sitting in the sun to dry would make a good end-of-the-week reward and would help stretch out those muscles. Swimming is also good stress reduction.

I did get my garden planted yesterday and went out last night for catfish (a Midwestern Friday night staple).

This morning I took flowers and a red rose I bought yesterday to the cemetery. I went to the art fair, but didn't really enjoy it or stay very long. It was very, very crowded.

Tonight I am attempting to make tomato sauce from scratch for ratatouille casserole for the first time. It is a messy process, but the fresh oregano and other ingredients will make it worth all the trouble.
Tonight's project will be to clean the kitchen after dinner.
Many of my neighbors are away for the holiday weekend. It is so peaceful and quiet.
Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are and whatever you plan to do.

Hello Everyone...
Saturday:Done so far today: read the current-"Doing today" posts, washed dishes, cleaned litter box, watered some houeplants.
It is raining off and on today, so in place of outside garden/yard time,will replace it with going through my boxes(are in dining room)containing: seeds, assorted garden related accessories-Ph and water meters, tools, articles and writings, etc
And/or transplant some seedling and and also start somes seeds indoors. And during this process, attempt to get some oganizing done and of course(the hard part)hopefully be finding some items that I will be willing to let go of. This all will be alternate time spent between decluttering in the basement.

What I done on Friday, May 23rd
Decluttering in basement for 40 minutes.
Work in yard/garden for 40 minutes.
Decluttering in basement 1 hour.

Good morning :)

Hi Diane :)
WAY TO GO!!! :D
for all your accomplishments.
It is good to take some time to sit back and give yourself time to adjust to the newly cleared out yard areas.
At first it all looks alien and strange when we clear out spaces but let yourself adjust to them.
Remember the main goal with the property is to simplify it to make it easier on you to maintain but still have the smaller area to garden to your hearts content. :)

Hi Barb :)
WAY TO GO!!! :D
getting the lawns into shape but sorry you had to make yourself so sore doing it.
Hope you have/had a fantastic dinner out! :D

Hi Kathy :)
Wonderful how you took advantage of the wait time to catch up on other tasks! :D

Hi Just Me :)
YEA!!! :D
You have done a GREAT job getting to those long forgotten areas.
WTG! storing the space heaters neatly so they will be ready to use in the Fall. ;)

Hi LR2014 :)
Keep up all the GREAT progress! :D

Hi Dianne :)
Cory always says to try to end the work sessions on a positive note.
Quit before you become physically, mentally or emotionally burned out.
This way getting back to the work later will not be something you dread and put off, maybe even decide not to attempt. :D

Hi Billie :)
WOW! you did a FANTASTIC job there!

Sounds like you have found a method/schedule that is working for you. Keep up the Great work. :D

Thank you (((hugs)))
Have no idea what the plans for this long weekend will be.
Knowing him, he will probably just sit at his computer in his bedroom or the one in the garage.
But I will try to get him motivated, somehow.
Everything is so bad that it appears to be impossible to fix.
But I know that even the worst hoard CAN be tackled.
One baby step at a time.

Have the GREATEST/BESTEST day ever! :D

Tillie, many hugs. I'm sorry you've been bummed out. I love your story about the baby fledge.

I got my plans for yesterday done. My tentative plans for today are to finish putting away laundry that I dried last night at the Laundromat, to meet with some friends for a bit this morning, and then (weather permitting) to later go do some outdoor work in that rural area I often talk about. If weather doesn't permit, I'll take things from there.

I'd love to comment on a lot of posts! Better run for now, though. Need to head out the door fairly soon.

Hugs to everybody!