Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm glad it sounds as though you had a lovely time with your old boss, @Anastasia 🙂 Is he going to be a referee for you?

You won't give notice yet, will you? Before you've secured another job? I wasn't sure by what you wrote. Your current workplace will have to suffer your loss. Serves them right!

I feel mentally yuck today. Am due to go out for lunch, and again on Sunday. All of December is crazy like that. Each year I say it's too much, I won't plan like that again...then people want to catch up and I don't want to offend them. I've been putting off the friends I'm seeing today for the last 2 years, due to Covid risk, lockdowns, etc...I really feel if I put them off again I'll risk the friendship. Unfortunately we're going to a shopping centre, which is high risk. But we're eating outside in a cafe, where we always meet...I hope it'll be OK and I won't catch Covid. 🤞

Yes, we've been having a little bit of sun, and it's due to be sunny for the next 3 days after today. I would like to go outside today and just sit in nature, not reading or anything, just being still and staring and absorbing. But it'll be a busy day of errands and lunch.

My hands (including the palms) are so itchy today. I'm trying not to scratch. Some of the backs of my hands are healing, which is why so itchy...a good thing. But the palms...no sores there at the moment.

I see you posted again at about 4am...I'm sorry about your lack of sleep 😞

Am crossing fingers for your job applications...

Sending lots of 💚

Hi @HenryX , I agree, the mindset needs to be worked on for the hoarding behaviour to change. I found that when I'd worked on the Hoarding Disorder in therapy for ages, the actual clearing out was easier.

Good luck...

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@Pippyl wrote:

Everything in my home has a different amount of germs

@Pippyl I am the same! I have 4 levels of 'dirtiness' and everything slots into one of them. I'm constantly working out the history of each item and what it might have touched, and classifying it...it's exhausting.

There is also ERP therapy which doesn't require someone in your home. It's Exposure Response Prevention therapy which requires you to expose yourself to what you fear (i.e. in our case germs, but it could also be spiders or whatever for some people). The idea is that you expose yourself a tiny bit, then when you see nothing bad happens, a bit more, then a bit more, etc. However I find it terrifying, as when I tried it I felt my whole house was going to be contaminated. I was told not to wash my hands after I felt they were 'germy'...but it meant that the next thing I touched became 'germy' in my mind, and eventually my whole house would become 'germy' and unsafe! Horrifying. I couldn't do it, and retreated into working on my Hoarding Disorder and childhood trauma instead. I've had success with both of those, but a spectacular failure with the ERP therapy (so far).

It's so good to be able to talk about this with people who understand! Thank you.

( @cloudcore ...for information 🙂 )

I've got x3 containers of SCALVES.. stuffed full... scratching my head... ❓ why have I got 3 containers of SCALVES❗😞 sick of this

Only just saw your post, @Rosemary4 ...it made me giggle, it's so familiar! Of course it's not funny really. What will you do with all of them?

Thats ok @NatureLover think I had this plan to use them for material perhaps
Guess I'll have to:
"CHOOSE THE BEST
AND TOSS THE REST"
😕 easier said than done.

Define 'the best' 😕
I'm not very positive today

Hi @Rosemary4 😄🌷

I am not doing very well. This long term severe pain is really getting the better of me. But I am hopeful that a second spinal injection may provide some temporary relief. I am booked in for that on Thursday.

Hi @NatureLover @Anastasia @HenryX

Emelia 🌷

Thanks @Rosemary4 ... yeah it is bad. I too am waiting for surgery. I am sorry you also have a back issue which causes pain and incapacity. Mostly I keep doing things which I need to do, but I pay for it afterwards. But if you are on your own, there is little choice if you want anything done. A difficult year ... yes indeed. Thank you for your kindness, and the gentle hug is appreciated. I spend quite a lot of time in tears lately ... from the pain I cannot escape and also from frustration knowing I am doing everything possible to make things better. But unfortunately nothing works. Its really hard to see past the here and now. Each day as it comes I suppose.