Hello all, I just found this site. Been struggling with what I have called my "tendency to hoard" since college years, now in my late 40s and I'm wondering if it's ever a battle I can win.

The ebb and flow of mess is so tiring. I'm sitting here in the middle of 3 days off that I was hoping I'd make into productive days, but that's not happening yet. I just sit here and look at the mess... and sit here... and sit here...

I've been watching reruns of Hoarders today, watched Amazon's Beyond Hoarding. My kids always ask, why do you like watching these shows? I summarize it by "it inspires me to make sure I keep things cleaned up and out". The truth is that I know that I am *always* walking on the edge of letting it get that far (and at certain times I have definitely crossed that edge!), and I'm constantly trying to both inspire myself and keep myself educated on how to address my internal struggles that make my "stuff issues" so hard to deal with on a daily and weekly basis.

I need to use today to get at least something done on my mess, but I can't seem to make it happen. I'm not sure if it's that I don't know where to start, or that I can probably figure that out, but I find it so very aversive to taking that action once I pick the task I decide to start with. Would love to here from anyone...

Is the Sunday night support group helpful?

Hello all, I just found this site. Been struggling with what I have called my "tendency to hoard" since college years, now in my late 40s and I'm wondering if it's ever a battle I can win.

The ebb and flow of mess is so tiring. I'm sitting here in the middle of 3 days off that I was hoping I'd make into productive days, but that's not happening yet. I just sit here and look at the mess... and sit here... and sit here...

I've been watching reruns of Hoarders today, watched Amazon's Beyond Hoarding. My kids always ask, why do you like watching these shows? I summarize it by "it inspires me to make sure I keep things cleaned up and out". The truth is that I know that I am *always* walking on the edge of letting it get that far (and at certain times I have definitely crossed that edge!), and I'm constantly trying to both inspire myself and keep myself educated on how to address my internal struggles that make my "stuff issues" so hard to deal with on a daily and weekly basis.

I need to use today to get at least something done on my mess, but I can't seem to make it happen. I'm not sure if it's that I don't know where to start, or that I can probably figure that out, but I find it so very aversive to taking that action once I pick the task I decide to start with. Would love to here from anyone...

Is the Sunday night support group helpful?

Good Morning Everyone

Hi CriticalMass

Hi Subclinical
Miss you (((HUG)))

Hi Tatoulia
Wonderful that the workman intrusion resulted in perfect internet!
We have fiber optics and a new box thingie connection on the outside of the house.
We have good reliable & fast internet. When there is a good router inside it's great.

(((HUGS))) for understanding my predicament.

Have a pleasant Sunday out with Mom and Friend. 🙂

Ovens take too long to warm up before they even begin to warm up the leftover food.
Stove tops are instant heat and with a lid on the pan it warms more evenly.
Microwaves are great for some things but they change the texture or consistency of a lot of foods in a bad way.
Over the years people have just gotten used to the blah sogginess.
I was extremely resistant to ever owning a microwave.
Was well into my 30's before I inherited one and started experimenting with it.
Best feature is that in 2 minutes you can have a cup of properly hot water to brew a cup of tea.

Daily use of the lamp especially when the days are darkest.
Here I try to get outside in the sunshine daily for just a little bit.
Having to walk out across the road to get the mail is enough to help my mood.
Even when I have to wear snow boots.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi CriticalMass

Hi Subclinical
Miss you (((HUG)))

Hi Tatoulia
Wonderful that the workman intrusion resulted in perfect internet!
We have fiber optics and a new box thingie connection on the outside of the house.
We have good reliable & fast internet. When there is a good router inside it's great.

(((HUGS))) for understanding my predicament.

Have a pleasant Sunday out with Mom and Friend. 🙂

Ovens take too long to warm up before they even begin to warm up the leftover food.
Stove tops are instant heat and with a lid on the pan it warms more evenly.
Microwaves are great for some things but they change the texture or consistency of a lot of foods in a bad way.
Over the years people have just gotten used to the blah sogginess.
I was extremely resistant to ever owning a microwave.
Was well into my 30's before I inherited one and started experimenting with it.
Best feature is that in 2 minutes you can have a cup of properly hot water to brew a cup of tea.

Daily use of the lamp especially when the days are darkest.
Here I try to get outside in the sunshine daily for just a little bit.
Having to walk out across the road to get the mail is enough to help my mood.
Even when I have to wear snow boots.

Tillie I thought after I wrote that, of course it's nit just a phone call, since you would've done it by now. With the recent addition of Fios to my house, they gave me all new whosywhatsis and no more spotty internet. And yes, I know that you can't do anything right. Sigh. I remember those days of always being wrong and being told with loud insults and a never-ending lecture that most humiliatingly required me to admit my stupidity. So awful. So sorry.

Jack! Great cat. Wish he belonged to someone I know....

Honestly why didn't I think about hearing on the stove top, I kept picturing it taking forever in the oven (forever equals 30 minutes)

Already late for the lunch I'm taking mom and a friend to today. That sounds about right.

But I did get time in with my therapy lamp.

Tillie I thought after I wrote that, of course it's nit just a phone call, since you would've done it by now. With the recent addition of Fios to my house, they gave me all new whosywhatsis and no more spotty internet. And yes, I know that you can't do anything right. Sigh. I remember those days of always being wrong and being told with loud insults and a never-ending lecture that most humiliatingly required me to admit my stupidity. So awful. So sorry.

Jack! Great cat. Wish he belonged to someone I know....

Honestly why didn't I think about hearing on the stove top, I kept picturing it taking forever in the oven (forever equals 30 minutes)

Already late for the lunch I'm taking mom and a friend to today. That sounds about right.

But I did get time in with my therapy lamp.

That sounds like a lovely evening!
Happy you bought tickets before they all sold out.

I think you just didn't want to wash extra dishes, JK 😉
Some things warm up nicer on the stove in a pan with a lid rather than in a microwave.
Left over pizza for example.

Jack is an unaltered tomcat.
Average size for a male cat but a big boy.
Bigger than Scooter, about the same size as Twinkles but Twinkles looks bigger because he has long hair.
Boy cats tend to be larger than girl cats.
Petting Jack feels like luxurious black mink or ermine.

The phone/internet company here is a small thing only local for this county.
They installed the wires to the house but have absolutely nothing to do with whatever is inside the house.
Steven bought the router at the thrift shop, someone else's garbage.
He could very easily buy a fresh new one but he would rather buy another broken POS at the thrift shop.

If I were to buy and install a new one he would pitch a fit, find fault with everything and generally make my life even more miserable than it already is.
You know what I mean. :p

The chili is delicious.
Everything good chili should be.
Plus it warms me up. 🙂

That sounds like a lovely evening!
Happy you bought tickets before they all sold out.

I think you just didn't want to wash extra dishes, JK 😉
Some things warm up nicer on the stove in a pan with a lid rather than in a microwave.
Left over pizza for example.

Jack is an unaltered tomcat.
Average size for a male cat but a big boy.
Bigger than Scooter, about the same size as Twinkles but Twinkles looks bigger because he has long hair.
Boy cats tend to be larger than girl cats.
Petting Jack feels like luxurious black mink or ermine.

The phone/internet company here is a small thing only local for this county.
They installed the wires to the house but have absolutely nothing to do with whatever is inside the house.
Steven bought the router at the thrift shop, someone else's garbage.
He could very easily buy a fresh new one but he would rather buy another broken POS at the thrift shop.

If I were to buy and install a new one he would pitch a fit, find fault with everything and generally make my life even more miserable than it already is.
You know what I mean. :p

The chili is delicious.
Everything good chili should be.
Plus it warms me up. 🙂

I bet the chili was tasty, Tillie. I'm eating cold meatloaf and corn and potatoes as I don't feel like heating it up. I don't have a microwave.

We had a fun night at the museum of fine arts tonight. They had a reception for the opening of Art of Sncient Nubia and we had a very good time. They had food and an open bar and the exhibit was lovely. It was a ticketed event and it was sold out. I'd bought our tickets a few weeks back. We walked back and it was lovely.

Tillie I always picture Jack as a big black cat. I know you've told us in the past but could you refresh my memory?

Sorry your router/modem isn't working well. Call the internet service provider and ask for a new one. Sometimes that works.

I bet the chili was tasty, Tillie. I'm eating cold meatloaf and corn and potatoes as I don't feel like heating it up. I don't have a microwave.

We had a fun night at the museum of fine arts tonight. They had a reception for the opening of Art of Sncient Nubia and we had a very good time. They had food and an open bar and the exhibit was lovely. It was a ticketed event and it was sold out. I'd bought our tickets a few weeks back. We walked back and it was lovely.

Tillie I always picture Jack as a big black cat. I know you've told us in the past but could you refresh my memory?

Sorry your router/modem isn't working well. Call the internet service provider and ask for a new one. Sometimes that works.

Good Evening Everyone

What a nice way to spend a day!
Laying around in your cat jammies. ;D

The internet thingie would not allow me online ALL afternoon into the evening. >:(

No laptop no Roku.

He keeps saying he will replace the blinky internet thingie but he doesn't.

Washed my clothes and have them drying hanging in my room.
Did some ironing while the clothes were wet.
Ate chili for lunch and dinner.
Watered the garden.
Cloudy & breezy day, very Autumn.
Did a little beading.
Brushed Twinkles and did all the other cat stuff too.
Jack ate a huge breakfast, he was really hungry.

Good Evening Everyone

What a nice way to spend a day!
Laying around in your cat jammies. ;D

The internet thingie would not allow me online ALL afternoon into the evening. >:(

No laptop no Roku.

He keeps saying he will replace the blinky internet thingie but he doesn't.

Washed my clothes and have them drying hanging in my room.
Did some ironing while the clothes were wet.
Ate chili for lunch and dinner.
Watered the garden.
Cloudy & breezy day, very Autumn.
Did a little beading.
Brushed Twinkles and did all the other cat stuff too.
Jack ate a huge breakfast, he was really hungry.

I got up today, had coffee, climbed back into bed, binge watched some TV, got up, made something to eat-turkey meatloaf with corn & potatoes-then more coffee now 5:00 PM and need to shower.

I was basically a cat today. Hung around in my pjs!!!!!!

I got up today, had coffee, climbed back into bed, binge watched some TV, got up, made something to eat-turkey meatloaf with corn & potatoes-then more coffee now 5:00 PM and need to shower.

I was basically a cat today. Hung around in my pjs!!!!!!

Good Morning

Will water the garden today but other than that I'm taking the day off.

Good Morning

Will water the garden today but other than that I'm taking the day off.

One big dish in the fridge.
Two one gallon baggies in the freezer.
Kitchen is all clean.
Cat dishes washed too.

Tomorrow is supposed to be about 66 degrees
nice enough to play outside.

Thank you Tatoulia (((HUG)))

Have my big pot on the stove full of chili.
Smells so good in the house now.

Still need to clean the kitchen but it's not bad.

Will be nice having some already made chili in the freezer for later and will be eating chili for the next few days too.

One big dish in the fridge.
Two one gallon baggies in the freezer.
Kitchen is all clean.
Cat dishes washed too.

Tomorrow is supposed to be about 66 degrees
nice enough to play outside.

I'm sorry about the sad anniversary, Tillie. Dear little cat. I'm at office, eating my lunch so I thought I'd check in. Sending you much love.

I'm sorry about the sad anniversary, Tillie. Dear little cat. I'm at office, eating my lunch so I thought I'd check in. Sending you much love.

Thank you Tatoulia (((HUG)))

Have my big pot on the stove full of chili.
Smells so good in the house now.

Still need to clean the kitchen but it's not bad.

Will be nice having some already made chili in the freezer for later and will be eating chili for the next few days too.

Good Morning

Great day to stay inside and cook.
Sunny and calm but only a high of 60.

Can't believe it's been a year today already since I had to put my Pooh Kitty to sleep.
I miss her so. 🙁

Need to straighten out the fridge.
Just been putting stuff in it with no order making it difficult.

Good Morning

Great day to stay inside and cook.
Sunny and calm but only a high of 60.

Can't believe it's been a year today already since I had to put my Pooh Kitty to sleep.
I miss her so. 🙁

Need to straighten out the fridge.
Just been putting stuff in it with no order making it difficult.

About 4:15pm today I sat at the window for about an hour.
Watching a magnificent Band Tailed Hawk catch and eat a Ring Neck Dove.
She was so big and beautiful.

About 4:15pm today I sat at the window for about an hour.
Watching a magnificent Band Tailed Hawk catch and eat a Ring Neck Dove.
She was so big and beautiful.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
Wishing you only good news at the doctor.

WAY TO GO! for setting priorities!
Priority number one is already achieved, kitty could get through and cuddly. ;D

Hi Tatoulia
Cleaning lady is probably a very busy person with lots of demands on her time.
I'm sure she will be there soon as possible.

Have fun freshening up your warmer clothes & such.

Sending Badger to help you tackle those bags of paper in the closet.
He wants a fancy sandwich, or else. ;/

Was fun being blown around with all the leaves and birds in town today.
Large flock of Cow birds almost blew right into me.
The store had fully stocked shelves today.
Bought all the ingredients to make my chili.
Will make a huge pot and freeze a bunch for easy meals.
Stopped by the thrift shop and bought 3 strands of pretty beads.
Rose quartz, peridot, amethyst, quartz crystal.
Met up with a friend and saw her new baby boy, number FIVE, no girls. ;D
Got my shopping all put away except for the chili makins.
Tomorrow I will make the chili and some corn bread.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
Wishing you only good news at the doctor.

WAY TO GO! for setting priorities!
Priority number one is already achieved, kitty could get through and cuddly. ;D

Hi Tatoulia
Cleaning lady is probably a very busy person with lots of demands on her time.
I'm sure she will be there soon as possible.

Have fun freshening up your warmer clothes & such.

Sending Badger to help you tackle those bags of paper in the closet.
He wants a fancy sandwich, or else. ;/

Was fun being blown around with all the leaves and birds in town today.
Large flock of Cow birds almost blew right into me.
The store had fully stocked shelves today.
Bought all the ingredients to make my chili.
Will make a huge pot and freeze a bunch for easy meals.
Stopped by the thrift shop and bought 3 strands of pretty beads.
Rose quartz, peridot, amethyst, quartz crystal.
Met up with a friend and saw her new baby boy, number FIVE, no girls. ;D
Got my shopping all put away except for the chili makins.
Tomorrow I will make the chili and some corn bread.

I haven't heard from my cleaner. I hope she stops by for the clothes.

I haven't heard from my cleaner. I hope she stops by for the clothes.