Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @NatureLover yes I'm still up... I should have taken my otc sleep pill and gone to bed but forgot and it's very sultry and uncomfortable.

You did well today. Congratulations.

You're right, it's very hot and uncomfortable! Can you take your sleep aid now?

Thanks for your encouraging words, I value them each time. I grew up without any, so I always value them. ❤️

Feels odd to be up at this hour but actually nice to be chatting! Most of the activity on here seems to be in the evenings, so I miss being there for people when they need it.

Are you due to go out in the rain tomorrow for anything? @Dimity

(No worries if you need to get to bed)

Actually I just closed the front door and found it's cool and wet outside so the house should cool soon @NatureLover .

I probably won't go out tomorrow but still have gift shopping hanging over me. I'd prefer not to face Saturday crowds and lack of public transport.

I won't take the sleep med tonight - I started it a few nights ago - but have taken my usual so won't be up much longer.

Some threads are very active during the day, so much so I unsubscribed from them.

I faced high expectations growing up but no warmth or affection so everything felt like hurdles rather than encouragement. And most of the hurdles were barriers.

Was this your decluttering friend? Or are you yet to catch up with her?

Please go to bed when you need to, @Dimity 🙂

I agree about not going out shopping on Saturdays!

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@Dimity wrote:

I faced high expectations growing up but no warmth or affection so everything felt like hurdles rather than encouragement. And most of the hurdles were barriers.

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Am sad to read this 😢 🫂

No, my decluttering friend hasn't got back to me, so I'm letting it slide for the moment.

How do you sleep in general?

@NatureLover actually the sleep question is a big one. It's hard to go to sleep and hard to get up, and I'm often woken by the cat or by pain. When asleep I sleep heavily and often don't hear alarms. But I've decided to get on top of it, hence the sleep aid to bring the cycle forward.

I'm starting to wilt, so will head off if you don't mind.

Good night. It's been nice "talking".

Ohhhh @Dimity , I was really sorry to read you're woken by pain 😭 And that your sleep is so difficult.

Is the pain lumbar back pain?

I got about 3 hours of dozing before getting up at 5am. Ho hum. I can go back to bed if needed, later today.

I wanted to tell you what a big success the Stream of Consciousness Writing is. I'm enjoying it and have written a lot. Most days I get at least one insight into myself. Yesterday I wrote a whole A4 page about all the benefits of my Hoarding Disorder for me. How it's protected me from people, comforted me, provided warmth, colour and stability, etc. Of course this will make it harder to get rid of things! But all my MIs apart from the depression seem to serve a purpose (or many purposes) in my life.

Thank you for the chat last night 🙂 I hope you can sleep well and that your day today goes well 💚

Three hours isn't much @NatureLover I hope you were OK today. I slept late.

I sometimes have back pain and stiffness but it's usually leg pain from pinched nerves.

It's great news your writing is going so well. One of the interesting things may be exploring different understandings, perhaps as hypotheticals, where there's no threats or risks, and you can stop or change tack whenever you choose.

I had a lazy day but wrote an important email I'd put off for a long time. Perhaps I can now move on from an old hurt.

Tomorrow I'm going out to see an amateur production. I hope I remember.

Ohh I'm sorry to hear about your leg pain from pinched nerves, @Dimity 😢 What can be done about pinched nerves?

I like the idea of exploring hypotheticals in the Stream of Consciousness Writing - thank you.

Well done for sending the important email. How was the amateur production?

I went to a dreaded family event yesterday. It went better then I expected although I was unfortunately seated opposite my abusive father. At one point it looked like I would be seated on the end of a long table next to him though (horrors), so that was OK in the end.

I feel I'm just lurching from one thing to the next at the moment, not in control. Need to tackle the house to make me feel better. Not today though as it's a work day.

Hoping your day is a better one 💚

Hello @NatureLover

It sounds as though things are difficult and unsettling for you, and perhaps the time of year is contributing, especially with family events. Lurching from one thing to the next is an unpleasant feeling.

I enjoyed the musical but it was a long sitting. I don't really know what to do about the pain - changing position, heat and analgesics can help. I see the osteopath Friday and expect to be given exercises and perhaps massage.

I see you've stepped aside as a Community Guide - thankyou for all of your help to the forums community and I hope you can enjoy your status as a Community Elder.

Feeling unsettled and not in control... yes... but we'll navigate through this.

Hi @Dimity , you're so observant! Yes, the new Community Guide intake has a lot of re-application stuff and my psychologist has limited me to 3.5 hours a week on the forums, as I burnt out on here in 2020. I actually do a bit more than 3.5 hours /week but it's OK as having that limit helps to guide me. Thank you for your thank you ❤️

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@Dimity wrote:

I don't really know what to do about the pain - changing position, heat and analgesics can help. I see the osteopath Friday and expect to be given exercises and perhaps massage.

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I see...this must be difficult when the pain wakes you in the night. 😢 I hope the osteopath can help 🤞

I'm not doing well. I had a massive fight with my nice brother last night - the person I'm closest to. Afterwards had some SI well into the night, for the first time in 15 years. I'm seeing my psychologist on Friday. (The SI has gone this morning, thankfully.)

I hope when you wake up you feel a bit stronger and have some hope. And that you can do whatever tasks you need to. 💚