Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It's good you're able to move on @NatureLover . I hope the car won't be too expensive to fix.

I cleaned and tidied for 2 hours but am still catching up.

Hi @Dimity , I hope you are OK...was yesterday OK for you?

Well done for the 2 hours of tidying and cleaning!

I'm not going to try to fix the car. Yesterday someone upset me at work. This is 3 days in a row I've been upset, so I think the problem might be with me. Am going to stay home for 2 days now and avoid people IRL.

Oh - bother - I've realised I have to go out to the the library to return a book. It's due tomorrow so maybe I'll go tomorrow instead.

I hope today goes OK for you and your exercises aren't too painful.

Sometimes we seem more sensitive @NatureLover and that's OK if we recognise our own vulnerability but it can easily spill over into anger if we overreact and get defensive - I've found that in the past but am now so isolated I just feel wounded. Don't retreat too long.

I've been low and oversleeping. No matter.

Take care, and enjoy your trip to the library.

So sorry to hear you've been low @Dimity 😢 I hope your SI is not too loud...

And it does matter. 💚

Don't worry, I can't retreat past today as I have work tomorrow.

Concerned for you and sending wishes... 🙏

Thankyou for caring @NatureLover .

I hope today was OK for you. I cleaned and tidied for a couple of hours... still catching up. I cut a bunch of flowers and found the backyard disappearing under weeds after the latest rain. More work to be done.

Enjoy your work day tomorrow - both the work itself and your colleagues (fingers crossed there's no further fallout from your spat on Monday).

Hi @Dimity , yesterday was a bad day and I didn't make it to work.

That's so lovely you can cut fresh flowers from your own garden. 🌺

Well done on doing another 2 hours' work on your house.

Am feeling a little stronger today - have to try and go to the library to return books due today. Also to get bread. Then I can stay home for 2 days thankfully.

Good luck with your day today...

@NatureLover @Dimity

You guys are so awesome 😍. the energy and calm vibes and back and forth support is so calming, so genuine.

@NatureLover i did that once, wrote a letter and never sent it, in fact thew it away as I felt if my family came across it and shared it around it would make me vulnerable, or a bigger target than I already was, and the trick with abusive families is to not engage with a fight but to detach. i have been reading the following author's work, i will share it with the Toolshedians when I get a moment:

This is easier said than done:

I have these mental arguments long after the abuse ended. It is called rumination, it is really hard to stop. Writing a letter without sending it is a good way to vent. I need to try it again. Last time i did that it was like 26 years ago. I wish I could just let go.

sending you warm vibes, i hope you are ok.

@NatureLover it's been a tough week by the sounds of it. And hot today. I sympathise. Maybe the library provided some welcome respite?

I traipsed to another suburb to shop - it was only partly successful as one shop was closed. I'm trying to get back to decluttering but haven't got far yet. I'm not 100% and my poor sleep routine isn't helping.

I hope the weekend is a distinct improvement!

Hello @scruffypuffball thanks for your insights. I guess I've detached... not entirely by choice... but to the point of dissociation and defeat. I can't justify myself. And for me rumination isn't an argument but more a stream of negativity. I can relate to the internalisation of shame.

Maybe we come here to exchange a quantum of kindness

Thanks for your kind words, @scruffypuffball 🙂