The magic of tidying

Thanks @Dimity, I'm packed and ready to go right now - don't know how I'm going to get through the night I'm so excited about seeing my girl after so long!

Haven't been very successful with the tidying up, unfortunately, but I have a few hours of daylight tomorrow before I have to leave so am hoping the anxiety gets me out of bed and onto it.

It's times like these I really miss the convience of council rubbish bins and weekly collection.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend and are doing okay.

Take care,

RedHorse 🌹🐴

It feels like weeks since I've properly cleaned or tidied, but I've been doing a little here and there. It's 6 months since I spoke to my psychologist and I feel my gp fobs me off when I ask about a new MHP. My psychiatrist has suggested taking a new medication but I'm not keen. I've been persevering with my diet and exercise regime and still hope that I might be able to change my sleep patterns, energy and motivation if I *really want to* which I think I do. I know I can't do much about my eyesight, which does limit what I can do at times.

I think about setting up timetables and quotas and reminders but a cheery face and a helping hand would be nice. .

Tomorrow I might be able to begin again.

On Sunday I wrote out a weekly schedule of chores and set up reminders on my phone. Yesterday and today I tackled housework but quickly felt dizzy and unwell, which persisted into my daily walk. I'll persevere, in the hope I'll improve and get more done each day. But I'm scared my physical and mental health is deteriorating. Ì have no support, and would have to pay privately for any help. I think I'd be eligible for some government assistance (taxi card, health care card) if I could only do my tax returns. My psychiatrist says a mood stabiliser might help my depression but I think it might be cognitive decline and my vision impairment is worsening. It's just so hard at the moment, and I feel so ashamed.

I'm a klutz in clutter.

I'm whistling in the wind. Feeling helpless and hopeless.

Hey @Dimity and @RedHorse (and everyone else)!

I just came across this thread and I really love the concept of it!

I have recently realised that cleaning and tidying my space, and keeping my environment decluttered has a major impact on how I am feeling and my overall stress levels.

I did a big wardrobe declutter on the weekend that I plan to hold a market stall with in a few weeks.

How about you guys?

Amber22 ❤️

I have recently realised that cleaning and tidying my space, and keeping my environment decluttered has a major impact on how I am feeling and my overall stress levels.

Me too @amber22 . My anxiety is through the roof atm and I'm fearful of both my physical and mental health. In the last couple of days I've started looking for a support worker to help me. I've also asked for a new MHP - I haven't been able to talk to my psychologist for 6 months - she suggested a death clean but I can't do it by myself. I'm hoping she'll get back to me.

I'm trying to attend to daily chores and have returned to the Marie Kondo ideas for reimagining and reorganising my space. A friend says she finds the KonMari book depressing but nevertheless she's achieved a massive decluttering effort prior to downsizing.

Good on you for your wardrobe effort - that's where I'd like to start. (Or maybe restart.)

Hi there @Dimity ❤️

I'm so sorry to hear that you have been feeling really anxious recently. I, too, have struggled with some pretty heavy anxiety in my past (and still sometimes present) so feel free to rant out about how you feel if you need an extra hand to hold, I'm here for you and I understand.

I hope your psychologist is able to get back to you soon. If they are taking a bit too long, there is always the counselling and drop in service here at SANE that you could contact. Theres always someone to listen, so please don't feel like you are doing this by yourself.

I've heard many great things about the Marie Kondo cleaning technique, and a lot about the book too, but have never tried it myself. Apparently its meant to be very effective!!

Thank you for your support, it took me a full day to clean out my wardrobe as I kept stopping and becoming unmotivated by how much there was, but so glad I got it done. I feel very refreshed. Maybe it could be a good thing to focus on for you (even if you start with just a section) and see how it helps take your mind off some present anxiety.

Sending hugs,

Amber22

Thanks @amber22 I really appreciate your support.

I think Marie Kondo works through 6 categories, starting with clothes, then books, where the decision-making should be easier, finishing with sentimental items and keepsakes.

It's a week and a half until I can get the new MHP and I'm not sure if my psychologist will still be able to see me, or when. I'll tackle the wardrobe tomorrow. I can only do 1/2 hour at a time without feeling worn out, breathless and dizzy, so house and garden have suffered. I'm trying to pace myself and make contingency plans like how to get the cat into a cattery if I need to.

Thanks for reaching out, and for listening.

And thankyou @Shaz51 for that quiet support button.

That sounds so interesting @Dimity! I will definitely have to give it a try, and look into it a bit more 🙂

Great idea for tomorrow, but take it little by little at a time, and make sure you rest between all of your sorting through. ❤️

Good luck with your new MHP, I hope it goes well.

Here if you ever want to chat,

Warm regards,

Amber22

Sitting with you my awesome friend @Dimity

With my mum in aged care , my husband is doing some tidying up around the house and yard

@amber22 , @RedHorse , @TAB , @EternalFlower