Today is Aug 7 2018. Hope you have been able to continue forward with your energy. Your message was very encouraging.

Dear M, I noticed these entries were put in a couple of years ago, but they still have the power to encourage. I am not at a place where I can afford to pay for help either and at 64 it is difficult to get "unstuck". But reading of your "small victory" was fantastic because I know just how much it took to get you there. And that maybe I can get there too. And I think I'll start where you did. Since the bathroom is a small space, I know it's doable and maybe the "glow" of a clean, shiny space can spread outward. But M, make no mistake, your small victory is humongous and inspiring!

P

Thank you so much for sharing your "victory" in getting your bathroom in order. It's very empowering to have another sweet soul share there progress and yet voice their challenges. I so appreciate your sharing!

For many, they really are cast in stone out of fear, and you have made great strides. It really does feel good doesn't it>>

I am one of the 'cleaners' and I can tell you, long ago, I discovered there were alot of dis-likable things about my job - but one I came away with was for me, not liking that when our crew left a client's home, their house was cleaner then MY house, grin.

So, knowing the clean house is a great feeling, please keep it up <3

Remember, if there is an uncontrollable amount of trash in your house, you don't own that home, the trash does >:

Betty Brown, Pres,
A Team Masters
http://www.scenecleanup.com

M.
Great work! Your progress has given me hope that my family member may be able to do the same one day. I admire your courage and determination. Keep it up-you deserve to live a wonderful, happy, clutter free life!
DS

Awww...thanks so much!! :)

I will keep trying

Way To Go!!! M. YEA!

You did a FANTASTIC job!

Keep up the great work and one day you will be completely out of squalor.

Sincerely, Tillie :D

I've been so paralyzed not knowing where to start...the task seems overwhelming and I am on my own, with no one to help and I work full time job plus overtime...but I've been reading some helpful stuff on here and motivated me to get started on SOMETHING rather than just put my head in my hands in dispair, guilt and misery.

I just finished cleaning the bathroom. Took me a whole day and a half and took out 11 big bags of trash. There was mold and mildew and wet rugs and trash piled on top of that which is what I would walk on. Now I can see the floor, which has been scrubbed clean and thankfully has suffered no structural damage. Toilet and tub have been scrubbed and sanitized. Sink is no longer full of crap and is actually clean and usable. The counter tops have been cleared with just the essentials I need for every day.

It was a horrible, disgusing job. This room has not been cleaned for at years. I was sweaty, dirty, and disgusted and almost puked a few times. But I persevered, kept telling myself it doesn't need to be PERFECT. It just needs to be clean and functional.

But for only a day and a half of work, I can walk easily in the bathroom, get in and out of a clean shower, brush my teeth in the sink. It feels amazing.

Now I feel tired, sore and overwhelmed, knowing that was a drop in the bucket and there is still so much more to do in bigger rooms. BUT...I keep going back to this room and looking around and thinking YOU did this. It is possible. Just tackle one thing at a time. Small steps are better than no steps at all.

There are some on here who have made amazing progress. This is a small victory, but thought I would share for those who feel completely paralyzed. Start. Just start somewhere.

And a sincere thanks to those who have put up, maintained and contributed to this message board. Hoarding is a lonely, scary thing. This has been so much help just knowing I'm not the only one.