Exactly.....makes it less scary and gives the impetus and initiation to a person ready to change.
Dianne I have read many of your postings and so appreciate your sharing.

Good morning
Is there anyone in Central Oregon that does decluttering?

Perhaps we will venture into a new method of distance decluttering?

Hi Nanci,

I think it's great that you looked up the rating scale for hoarding to see what stage your hoarding is at; because now that you know what stage it's at, you can stop it from getting worse. :)

I have FaceTime on my iPad and on my iPod touch. :)

I am so impressed with so many different voices on the chat room and I had thought I lost this thread. I looked at the rating scale for hoarding and see that I fall between stage II and III which is between guarded and elevated....so I feel hopeful that I can make better choices. Today was pretty amazing......funny the kitty believes that all cleared areas are an invitation for him. While I was ill I spent much effort to release judgment of self and I can see how helpful that was today. Understandable that you may not be AZ bound..... It could be that I could use Skype or FaceTime as I have long known that we are only as sick as our secrets. Thanks for your kindness and support

Hi Another person in AZ. :)

Thanks for reading my posts. I think it's great that you want to get help for your hoarding issues. And thank you for wanting me to help you with them and to help you move forward with your life. :)

Since Donald hasn't posted back yet, I don't know if he wants me to help him or not. But I would love to help you too. You sound like a great person. :)

I am glad that you are starting to feel better. And I think it's great that you are cleaning small areas of your house each day. Keep up the good work. :)

If you end up coming to Phoenix I would greatly appreciate your assistance. I so need the help to move forward in my life. I live north of Donald in downtown and am female with a larger home and one sweet kitty. I am embarrassed and ashamed and do want to clean out so that I can embrace life. I have been quite ill for several months that have limited energy for living and precluded much cleaning. I am starting to feel better and am choosing small areas to clean each day. I feel safer working with a woman and have read lots of your postings today, I hear you as a kind person who is non-judgmental and I think we might well be able to work successfully. It does get quite hot here after May and am open to any schedule that works out with Downtown Donald. I am looking forward to participating in the online chats that I am now am aware of and am grateful for this forum.

Hi Donald,

I would LOVE to help you. :)

I'm not a professional "Extreme Cleaner" yet but I want to be one, one day. So I'm always up for doing another major clean-up. :)

And the clean-up would be totally free. Because since I'm not a professional "extreme cleaner" yet I'm not making anyone pay me to do a clean-up. :)

If you do want me to help you clean-up, then the clean-up would have to be some time after the month of May though. Because I'm pretty busy for the next 2 months.

I am an honorably discharged Army veteran and a retired education. I am 67 years old and live alone in a high rise building. I have suffered from bipolar stress disorder and attention deficit disorder. This combination makes it challenging for me to organize a household. I live in a small condo of about 750 square feet, one bedroom, one bath, small kitchen, small living space. I need help in sorting, making decisions, storing or discarding materials. And once things are organized, I heed help in maintaining a more organized, less stressful home environment. I am an artist and writer and I often work at home which has created some nonfunctional dual- and tri-use areas. Any assistance is appreciated and I can provide cleaning supplies, boxes, etc. as well as a stipend for cleaners. Some unwanted items can be donated to individual helpers or to a cause of their choosing. I am willing to work with counselors or psychologists or counselors and other helpers.