Dawn i wish we lived closer to each other. I would love to help you, having helped myself as well as a trash hoarder. I am also in the midst of helping my mother de-hoard. I wish I were closer, I'd head over in a heartbeat.

Please keep us posted!

I haven't had friends/family over in years. I hyperventilate if I hear a knock at the door. I am so ashamed and overwhelmed by my mess that I can't seem to function.

I live in a studio apartment where things have started to break down (AC unit dead,ceiling is leaking, cabinets fell off the wall, dishwasher not draining, etc.) - if I asked my landlord, he would fix them, but I'm afraid of getting evicted if he sees the state of the apartment.

On the other hand, I can clean and organize anyone else's messy apartment.

I've been looking into getting professional help to get the place in order, but I can't afford it and am extremely anxious about letting "normal" (tidy) people in my place.

I thought maybe if there were a few of us in the same area, we could take turns tackling homes as a team. It would be easier to accept help from people you know personally understand your plight, and it would be easier to clean other's mess when the objects aren't emotionally charged.

I'm on LI (NY), anyone in the area up for attempting this?