I understand....

Due to a lack of participants
this ended. :(
But....
We can continue it in the "What are you doing Today?" thread.
Or start a new thread up in "The Daily Chat" where more people might participate. :D

I'd love it if this continued....

GO!!! Jess! :D

You CAN do this!

This week will be dedicated to organizing papers. Because it's thing I least want to do lol I want to get this thing off of my mind, finally.

It's not always completely clear but it has greatly improved! There might be a few items at a time, no biggie. The mail system is working after a few wrinkles were ironed out. Mail clutter was a big part of it.

I eat breakfast at the table every morning now :) Who knew tables could be used for such things lol

So, how is the kitchen table project coming along? :)

Hi dave, I'm here :) I posted earlier today in the daily chat part and just saw this thread.

Had to chuckle a little at my last post about the kitchen table because I still can't keep the mess off of it. I'm pretty on top of the mail now (yay!). I put a basket on the counter for dog stuff now so hopefully that will help. There's always a leash, training stuff, or treat bag on the table and I want that to change.

I hope you're doing well! Good to be back!

So Jess, If you are still hanging around in the wings watching, step on stage for a minute and say hi.

Our Dining Room table is half cleared. (I have to keep it that way because 3 people use it most evenings.)

My weekly project for this week is: Come up with a solution to the clutter problem on the kitchen table and put it to use.

Time for a new weekly task. I'm going to shoot for going through the rest of my clutter closet (just a couple boxes worth) and the small kitchen closet.

The progress I've made is really energizing me.

Thanks Tillie!!

Task completed! I've gone through all of my clothing and it now fits in my dresser and closet with room to spare for new items I need.

I am thrilled with the result but I have to admit it hasn't been as easy as I thought emotionally. I was thinking that my problem with the clothing was just a big chore but I was surprised by how many items I was keeping for the sake of the memory. Nevertheless, I got rid of what I needed to. I've broken into tears a few times since then, thinking "What did I do?" but I just remind myself that this is progress and a good change. Memories can exist without things. I am not disrespecting my memories and loved ones by getting rid of objects.

I may need to repeat that for a while but I'm getting there.

My task this week is to go through the remainder of my clothing and get rid of whatever I can. I need some nice new clothing that is age appropriate but I have no place to put it!

Part of the reason I have trouble letting it go is that I think I need it. The other part is emotional. So I believe I know my obstacles and I also know it needs to be done.

It's kind of a big job but if I focus on a solid effort instead of making it "perfect" I'll make a lot of progress.

My task this week is to have fun with my loaner dog and to fill one bag for donations.

Barb that is so great. I had that happen to me a while back and it took me forever to get to cleaning it, so happy you cleaned and sanitized right away. so great you are completing kitchen, I did yesterday and it looks so much better to have clean counters and no mess. trick will be to keep it that way for me, such a new habit to put things away where they belong. Most of my things have been homeless for years. 2014 is a good year to find homes for everything we choose to keep
Happy you donated extra stuff, will make someone happy

I miss this thread and use it to help keep me accountable. My focus this week has been the kitchen. On the other thread, I posted about how my power was off 2 1/2 days causing all the food in my frig and freezer compartment to go bad. It took me one day to empty it, that day and the following day to clean and sanitize all the shelves, door seals, etc. I hope I never have to do that again. Once I started on the kitchen, I wanted to keep going. As a reward for the clean refrigerator, I bought myself 4 8 oz. and 4 12 oz. matching glass tumblers to replace the mismatched glass and plastic tumblers I've had since my wedding in 1982. Today i am packing up the old mismatched tumblers to take to The Salvation Army Thrift Store tomorrow. Someone starting up housekeeping may be glad to get them. Three sets have 4 alike. The floor is clutter free and vacuumed but not mopped yet. The counters and table still have some things on them, but i can see the surfaces. I am making progress and it feels great! Thanks for letting me share, friends. It's like a pat on the back to know I can share with people who understand what it is like to let life get so out of control. Here is to peace and more clutter-free living in the new year.

Cleared up the Kitchen floor last night over a 15mins with Karl in the Chatroom.

Gold star top me!!!! 2/2 done.

Now just need to pack for the weekend.

Done the laundry - WOOOOW
1 dowm
1 to go

Thank you so much for the warm welcome Mare and Tillie!

I feel a huge relief having found you guys and finally facing the reality of my situation. <BIG SIGH> :-) I tried before but couldn't face it alone. So nice to have cheerleaders and moral support!

Hello Isabelle and welcome!

I hope to see more of you on the boards here, yes you have found a where of understanding, support and acceptance.

Thank you for sharing your situation, I hope you will find sanctuary here and continue to read and post, and join the meetings we have.

If you ever want to chat just let me know and if I am here we can use the chat room.

Tally Ho!

Hi Isabelle :)

Welcome.

Come join us in the ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP going on right now.
Just click on the red box link to the right here.

Hi Mare, Tillie, and Roxie et al. I've been reading your posts on this message board. After watching a marathon of Hoarders on TV, I finally have realized, yes, I can put myself in this category. I do have a problem. And, it's a relief to say that and find this site for support.

I would be thrilled with weekly tasks and participating (documenting my progress, etc.)

I don't get emotionally attached to things and part with things easier than what I see folks struggle with on the show, but something Roxie posted really hit home for me. She said something to the effect that for most of us things represent unrealized dreams or what ought or should have been. THAT is what creates the anxiety in me when I look at the mess. Acquiring stuff also represents hope to me. I buy things with the hope of realizing a dream (I have a weakness for home decor items and exercise equipment). And, I trash because of overwhelmed feelings and feelings of disgust with myself. Ironically, I struggle to take action to realize my dreams. So, of course, they don't come true! I'll tackle that another day. For right now, I want to take back my home and my life. I don't even recognize this person I've become. It feels so good to be honest about this!

I look forward to getting to know you all and supporting you in your journeys as well.

Isabelle

I am in the process of reading these posts and will start a new Weekly Tasks where if noone beats me to it haha.

I would find weekly tasks easier than monthly.

I need to clean the kitchen floor this week and
do laundry

before going on Brownie Holiday next weekend.

Yessssssssssssssss! Please do bring it back.

Hi Madison :)

You did a fantastic job tossing the moldy shoes!

If you find you want some motivation or feed back you can always post on The Daily Chat any time.
If you would like a personalized weekly task we can do that for you too.

Be very careful when dealing with that moldy stuff down in the basement.
If possible, try to carry the bags or boxes outside before you take the time to sort through them.

Hope to see you around!

Sincerely, Tillie :)

I just got started on here - Been watching the shows regularly - actually starting to delete some of them - as I think I have actually been hoarding episodes of "Hoarders" on my DVR. I had them since 2010. :-) I would love a weekly task - but right now with the holidays - maybe not as many are participating. If you do stop for now - I'll keep checking back as to when you might pick it back up. Simplify! :-)

This is a good idea but right now not many people are participating on the board.
Hoping that more will start posting about their daily/weekly progress and challenges.

We can always start up "The Weekly Task" again later. :)

As much as I love this weekly task idea I will admit I have not been keeping up with it. I vote for you to not have to bight off more than you can chew. It's very nice of you to ask though, to really see how many people are actively doing and benefiting from the weekly task.

Not sure if many people are using this and to be honest I have a lot going on. If this is something you are participating in let me know or I may discontinue this thread. Thank you and have a great weekend!