Congratulations, CM! I know all those feelings so very well--good to hear your thought processes--not much different from the ones I felt a year ago when i was in the midst of my big clean. I had to remind myself that these things exist in the world and that it needs to be enough for me--no more hanging on to things for other people. I also tell myself that this thing or that thing has been loved enough me, time for someone else to love it. It's amazingly helpful to have a dialogue going during the process! I appreciated reading about yours!

I am sorting through a recent inheritance and it's going well. Essentially getting rid of my things and keeping the newly inherited. Two of the pieces came as quite a surprise--furniture I had loved and admired for more than 30 years. I had no idea that someday these things would be mine and I keep pinching myself. In the process of getting rid of the things I already had. Have taken care of all but my big coffee table--it has a new home already, just need to deal with the paperwork (sitting on the table) and call the person to come get it.

Keep up the good work and hello to Tillie, LR, Bitsy, Roxie, Diane & everyone else!

Hi 🙂

Internet service was down this morning but is back online again.

Hi Critical Mass 🙂
Good Luck with your bedroom project! 😀

Hi LR2014 🙂
Wishing you Good Luck with the vehicle project! 😀

Hi Karl 🙂
How's the laundry coming along?
Hope you find a way to get the air moving through your room and still maintain your privacy.

It is 105 degrees right now on my back porch which is always shady & cooler than other areas of the property.
Brought all the cats inside earlier to keep them cool.
I don't do much during the hottest time of day.
We do have lots of popsicles. 🙂

Well, yesterday I stopped by my storage unit and did make some progress there. Didn't have time to do the bedroom but it's on today's docket.

Stay cool, everyone - Tillie, 105 - Ugh! I feel for you! And the kitties!

Checking in--sorry I've been unavailable. House is a mess due to inheriting some things in the past month. Know exactly what to get rid of but need to work on it. Have some unexpected time this AM and will use to my advantage. Keeping bedroom clean and clear -- Have kept up with weekly maintenance there and am pleased. Will now work on something and will check back in.

Much love to All-- have been thinking of you but slightly overwhelmed lately. Need to desperately get back on track.

Coffee clinks!

Haven't read many of today's posts yet, but I did read the suggestion that I check in. Iced tea clinks, Roxie.

If all goes according to my plans tomorrow, I intend to spend a significant amount of time working once again on my "vehicle project." I hope to be able to report some significant progress by the end of the weekend.

Happy evening to all.

It's hot in my room. I can open the window and the door to allow air to circulate, but then one corner of my room would be visible if my housemate walks by. That bothers me.

I also need to get laundry done. I'll make that a goal for tomorrow. If you see me in the chat on Friday, ask me if I did it.

Yay, the cooler weather came in - and some rain along with it! My roommate is home on vacation and I want to move my computer into my bedroom so we can each have our own spaces to do our respective computer work. That will force me this afternoon to deal with the half-completed bedroom decluttering so there's room to set up the computer table. It should be entirely doable if I don't get interruptions and lose track (ADD hey look a squirrel etc.). Guess I should also allow for mini breaks to avoid burnout, eh? Anyhow, wish me luck on it all!

"CLINK!" Roxie 😀

Yes, lets sit together today and watch nature.

Hi everyone,

Tillie, that's a good idea about the computer browser. Less hassle than composing in Word. Thanks!

There really are too many decisions to make at once - moving just increases the number of the ones that already existed because of the hoarding problem.

Another thing is uncertainty. For instance, we have a large item to give away and someone who wants it, but will have to round up help, etc. He's also super busy, has lots of folks who depend on him. So we'll set a time and then wait. And if he gets held up it's usually in a way that keeps him from calling to inform us.

I'm one of those who just wants things like that settled - now! And yet, I paradoxically have trouble using the waiting time. I'm going to find something here though, and since I haven't been able to reach the friend I'm going to assume today doesn't work out and go on with my day. Why that is so hard to do, triggers such a cascade of indecision, is beyond me. But there it is.

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Jess 🙂
Way To Go! 🙂
For sticking with routines and also getting things (big or little) accomplished.
Yea! for bees! 😀
What a nice hobby.

Hi Roxie "clink" 🙂
Fantastic! getting the books ready for donation! 😀
So sorry to hear about that infection. 🙁
Rest and recuperation are your priorities. (((HUGS)))

Hi Critical Mass 🙂
I open another window/tab and switch back and forth between them in order to reread and address everyone individually.
No way could I remember it all otherwise. 😉
When we have too many decisions to make at one time, we get burned out on the process and start "churning",removing items from one box and just putting them into another box to decide on later.
This is when it helps to have a trusted friend there to help talk us through the decision making process.
But since most all of this sorting out is being done all by ones self, we tend to get bogged down and just "churn" after a while.
A good way to combat churning is to stop, step back, take a breather, drink some water and breathe.
Tell yourself that now you only need to pick up one item to make the decision about.
After making that one decision walk away from the project.
Return to sorting after a while and make only one more decision about an object.
Repeat this procedure as needed...
This will help you get unstuck and help you keep a more positive attitude about this task at hand rather than really dreading it. (((hugs))) 🙂

Today is going to be over 100 degrees here but this morning is cool and would be very quiet except for all the birds. 🙂
The air is full of wildfire smoke so the sunlight has a deep yellow tint to it.
I am taking the day off from doing any chores, all caught up on the important stuff.
Thinking about getting out the sewing machine and having some fun. 🙂

TTYL 😀

Hi all,

I'm moving slowly in this heat. Haven't gotten into the van part of that project since I have to deal with the things I brought in such as papers. I'm very good at overestimating how much stuff I can go through in a reasonable time. At least now I recognize that.

The nitpicky indecisive side of me comes out a lot and I catch myself doing the "shuffle" - I'm sure you know what I mean. Pick up an item out of a box of "miscellaneous" and stare at it then shuffle it in with a different bunch of "miscellaneous." I know it's not the way to get much of anything done.

During the move, I had these times of mental clarity now and then (amid the other times of stress and brain freeze but we'll not go there). In the clarity times I could blow through a bunch of stuff and decide to get rid of things with a great sense of conviction, even relief. Take no prisoners and all that. Such a rush, felt so righteous.

But I know. Things wax and wane, and one must keep plugging away no matter what. I have done a few little things. I will do more.

The great news is that tomorrow the heat where I live dials back from upper 90s to upper 80s for a few days. I plan to take advantage of this. It still won't be as cool as I'd prefer but I'm in hopes it'll allow me to do the placing of shelves in the storage unit (which necessitates getting lots of stuff out where the shelves are going to go, ideally purging in the process).

I realize some of what I've written above vacillates between the genuine desire to get rid of junk and have order in my life, and my tendency to wimp out when conditions are less than ideal. My awareness of my hangups is better, though, and I'm not going to abandon the struggle and by stubborn tenacity, I'm going to get it to where someday there won't BE a struggle. At least not in the area of clutter! I may still have ADD and OCD, but I'll be able to cope with them better. And surely I'll have less depression in a clean, pleasant environment and with new habits to go with it.

BIG HUGS to all of you fighting this battle! I'm going to have to start jotting down notes before I post, because I want to respond to things posted, like the bees and the gardening, etc. but by the time I get on this screen I forget who had what! LOL! Bear with me, and know I'm happy for all your successes. 🙂 And so glad to have others to connect with. Y'all are a blessing.

Good morning, ya'll. Coffee clinks.

Jess, LR, bitsy, Diane, all youse guys, check in, please. Thinking of you.

Good Morning 🙂

Hi Critical Mass 🙂
Thank you.
Way To Go! for what you accomplished! 😀
Good luck with the rest of that project.
I sure do understand just how bad decluttering can really mess up other areas & make a bigger mess while we are doing it. 😉

Been up since 3:30am today.
Have been trying to get things done around here that I had to put off since March due to his health issues.
Almost have my To-Do list completed. YEA! me. 😀
The usual daily stuff needs more attention but the most important stuff has been getting done.
This morning I got plant food on the garden & grass and am doing the watering before it gets too hot outside.

Oh Well, back to the yard work...

🙂

Hey everybody! As always, thanks for the encouragement 🙂

I'm feeling pretty good today and trying to jump start some positivity into my life. Stuck to my morning routine and took care of a few little things I've been meaning to get to.

Today I will be doing some yard work! A dirty garden glove high five to Tillie! Yesterday I painted some new beehive boxes that we will be adding. Our little colony is growing like crazy. I'm loving the beekeeping hobby and am proud to say I've kept our supplies neatly organized and under control.

CM, great job on the vehicle project! It's going to feel so good to clear that out and get the weight off your mind too! Woo hoo!

Just a brief check-in to say hi and to let you know I'm reading your posts and rooting for you!

Coffee clinks!

Well, decided yesterday that I really need to deal with the front seats of my van since the move. The goal is to 1) be able to have a passenger in that seat if I want or need to, and 2) just plain DEAL with all that clutter. The front seat, as some of you may know, tends to attract the stuff that you don't want to lose track of but are reluctant to bring inside just yet - because you are still dealing with inside stuff . . . eek!

Wish it weren't so hot outside but my roommate said A-OK to park in the shaded driveway while she's at work. Right now I'm feeling hungry so I'll have lunch then brave the heat. It's windy today also, which is both a help (cools things a bit) and a potential hindrance (blows papers around). But I've assessed the situation so I know what I'm dealing with.

Wish me luck!

HELLO PEEPS! 😀

Hi LR2014 🙂
WTG! for tackling that paperwork! 😀
Hope you find some fun R&R soon. (((hugs)))

Hi Critical Mass 🙂
Wishing you GOOD LUCK! 😀

Got up early this morning, went outside and washed the window screens, hosed off house walls, washed the windows and hosed off the porch and walkway.
Then I sprayed "Bug Barrier" all around the foundation, windows & doors.
Then I sprayed areas inside the house too.
This product is specially made to spray inside and outside the home and is safe for pets once it has dried.
So tired of getting bitten! Have a bad spider bite on my leg right now and it is also causing me abdominal issues & discomfort, probably a black widow. 🙁
Something has also bitten me several times on my back.
I can't reach all the windows because of all his hoard blocking the access.
This house has only seven windows and I washed Three inside & out and two others only on the inside.
The two windows in his bedroom are totally blocked off inside & out.
Spiders really love living & multiplying in hoarded places. 🙁

Lots of wildfires started yesterday around here.
Please, please, please stay safe. 🙂

Hi Tillie,

Another thing you might try for spiders in the areas where you can access is Diatomaceous Earth (food grade). It's a fine powder and when bugs and spiders walk through it it damages their exoskeletons. It can be a bit messy but you only need to put down a fine layer for it to work. I used a cloth to do so when some of the pets got fleas, to kill any loose fleas.

Well, I went out to the van and did some good, but boy, it's hot out there and windy, and I had to stop sooner than I had hoped. I'm sure you all can relate to the problem of when you pull out stuff and then it creates a logjam downstream so to speak. If I'd tried to do more in the van, I would've had a huge bunch of stuff to bring inside to deal with. As it is, I still hope I didn't bring in too many items at once. I got a grocery sack's worth to the trash, and cleaned some items with Windex that were dusty. Still need to decide what goes in what as far as my bags. I have a backpack that's my "essentials" and auxiliary bags for things like my quilting group, Bible study, artwork etc. Probably just enough time to fiddle with those before I have to move the van back out onto the street so my roomie can park in the drive.

Hi Roxie 🙂
"clink"
Happy you are home again, so sorry to hear that you needed more procedures.
(((HUGS)))
I order you to rest and recuperate and think only about pleasant things like baby animals and pretty flowers and big fluffy clouds that look like cartoon characters. 😉

Take care y'all 🙂

HAPPY 1st. DAY OF SUMMER!

Anybody have any plans or goals they want to accomplish in the next 3 months?
Anyone planning a vacation, camping trip or get-away?
Maybe visiting local places or events of interest in your local community?
Farmer's markets will be opening up soon.
Community parks, pools and fair grounds often have different types of activities.

Remember, we have to balance work with rest and recreation.
Focusing every day only on decluttering and cleaning will burn you out and depress you.
So schedule in some fun activities to reward yourself for working hard to achieve your goals of a clean clutter free home. 🙂

Hi to Tillie, Tatoulia, Roxie, Sis (a.k.a. Diane), CM, Jess, Karl, bitsy, Dave, Oodles, Susan L, lex, and the rest of our "gang."

Most of the things I've done the past few days have been related to paperwork; am working on the very slow process of getting caught up on some of that. Tillie, I'm (at least in theory) hearing your message about the importance of fun and recreation. I feel a strong need for that right now.

More rain here today. I'm not complaining. It's much cooler here than it usually is this time of year!

Roxie, sorry you've had to be back in the hospital. Hugs as you recuperate.

Happy summer, everyone!

Thanks Tillie, yes, dogs are wonderful, and to be paid to play with them is great.
Today I got up and washed my body, hair and ALL of the dirty dishes. Went to work, said my intentions are to make the patients as comfortable as possible but when stress is so great in the OR, it is not worth it. Will discuss more, tomorrow at work. I feel I can let go graciously with no blame.
Went to the store after work and got smoothie supplies and just drank a delicious drink. So nice I washed the 3 smoothie blender containers this morning, and had room on counter to make a smoothie. Feel so much better with cleaner kitchen
thnks

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY! 🙂

TTYL 🙂

First cup of coffee today. ::clink::

Thanks Tillie, yes, dogs are wonderful, and to be paid to play with them is great.
Today I got up and washed my body, hair and ALL of the dirty dishes. Went to work, said my intentions are to make the patients as comfortable as possible but when stress is so great in the OR, it is not worth it. Will discuss more, tomorrow at work. I feel I can let go graciously with no blame.
Went to the store after work and got smoothie supplies and just drank a delicious drink. So nice I washed the 3 smoothie blender containers this morning, and had room on counter to make a smoothie. Feel so much better with cleaner kitchen
thnks

Good Evening 🙂

Thanks Jess 🙂

Hi Oodles 🙂
Hoping everything turns out alright for you and your daughter.
Such a busy work schedule too. 🙁
Remember to eat, rest and sleep so you don't wear yourself out and get sick. (((hugs)))

Hello Diane 🙂
Wonderful to hear from you!
Sounds like you have been having lots of fun with the rocks.
Happy to hear you have been dog sitting too.
Yes, negative people really can wear a person down.
Missed you...(((hugs)))

LR2014 🙂
Hope you are safe from the predicted storms down your way.

Got up with the sun again today and went outside and did more work in my yard.
Got the front porch and walkways all cleaned & swept.
Looks pretty out there now. 🙂
Then I went to the house I am baby sitting and did some stuff over there.
Came home and swept the floors & vacuumed the carpet. Really needed it because I sort of trashed it walking through with my garden mud covered sandals on yesterday.
Did two loads of laundry then washed my hair.
Feels so good to be clean again after working outside.
Planning to take the rest of this week off. 🙂

My rattlesnake bit dog friend is eating her food.
She is sleeping almost constantly from the drugs, which is good.
Antivenin, laser treatments for the necrotic tissue, antibiotics and other meds to maintain her.
Prognosis is good. 😀

TTYL 🙂

Hi, could post lots more but time's zooming by so for now I'll just report that this afternoon I go to my 2nd monthly meeting of local support group for clutter/hoarding. Looking forward to it! 🙂

I hope Monkey will be okay! Poor pup.

Stuck on suitcase decision 2 days now. The TSA broke the zippers. I put it in throw pile. Got emotional took it out. $250.00 suitcase (assigned a value) thought "I can fix it". The part that you attach a new pull to is busted off leaning towards throw but, got interrupted by my Adult Cog Impaired daughter need to take her to ER again for a long stay at hospital after 9.5 hours of work. Will still try a 15 min stint when I get home maybe cloths or dishes. Need to be up at 4 am to work a 10 hr day tomorrow.

Miss you, finally got on to read and saw board only had one page, saved me lots of time!!! Tillie, Roxie and LR, so great reading your posts since I feel like you are my sisters. As you may remember, I basically gave up on myself a few months ago. While finally cleaning the filthy bathroom today, I knew I needed to start chatting with you again. I ha ve been obsessed with sorting rocks, learning how to cut rocks, chip obsidian etc. Basically ignoring all self care. I am about ready to quit the job I have on Thursdays, it is just too dang stressful for this old lady, and this week have to work tomorrow too. Difficult to be around negative people that hate their life. I have been so happy playing with rocks, enjoying my yard, dog sitting, really stands out when around negativity. Happy you are all here hanging in