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Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi, I have just joined. I have a few mental illnesses, but am especially interested in hearing if there are any diagnosed germophobes or people with hoarding disorder on these forums?

I don't know any germophobes in real life, and would be interested to know how any of you pre-Corona germophobes are doing. Can you find enough sanitiser? If not, what are you using instead? Has your germophobia gone sky-high in this pandemic? Do you find it less or more lonely now that nearly everyone is a self-confessed germophobe?

My germophobia is quite bad - I can't have anyone in my house, and need lots of sanitiser when I go out. E.g. I use it after leaving my house and before I get in the car; again before I touch the steering wheel, again after touching my purse, again before putting my seat belt on, etc. I am struggling to find enough sanitiser. If I run out, I was thinking about diluting some disinfectant and putting it into an old water bottle to take out with me. I had one really bad panic lasting 3 days that was debilitating, due to COVID-19, but after that thankfully my germophobia came back down to normal levels. I guess normal levels are not that great but at least I am used to them!

I am strangely finding it more lonely as a diagnosed germophobe now, and would really like to meet some other germophobes online and hear how you're going. At least I had a friend tell me that I was in a stronger position than him, during this health crisis, as he had trouble remembering to wash his hands, whereas I wash them a hundred times a day already!

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In response to: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Wow, am very impressed with your 5 1/2 hours @Dimity ! 👏

No wonder you were sore. I did 4 hours yesterday and was sore.

I went grocery shopping this morning with cash, and got a shock. Hadn't factored in coins...hadn't added up as I went along the aisles... Went to 2 different supermarkets for different things and didn't have enough cash for the second one because I bought up some specials in the first one.

I can see it's going to take a lot of adjustment. I think I'm going to have to add up costs before I even leave the house. Plus I tend to buy up big when specials are on...not sure I can do that any more. Hmmm, quite a shock!

However, a good thing is that my silver sandals arrived this morning and they fit beautifully and feel comfy. They are a bit delicate with thin straps though so I will keep them for best. Glad to have the wedding shoes sorted.

Now I just have to find my small silver handbag somewhere! Got a week to find it. I'm pretty sure it's in the house somewhere.

Am feeling a bit overwhelmed so am having a lie down before I start on the house.

Good luck today with your tasks. Is there much oxalis to get rid of?

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Glad the sandals suit @NatureLover .

Perhaps your cash strategy needs a bit more planning. A weekly shopping list of staples that you can budget for, with an allowance for buying specials.

I'm finding I'm spending as much on the cat as I am on myself. Groceries are quite expensive.

I'm still plugging away. I guess there's not a lot of oxalis but it's fiddly to dig out. There's a lot of wandering trad but it's easy to pull out. I think I'll need help to deal with the woody weeds. My decluttering is very slow as I'm going through papers.

I've picked up a book from my TBR stash. It's been a long time since I was last able to read comfortably.

It's very late here. I wish I could reset my body clock.

Best wishes for tomorrow...

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , the weeding sounds tough. And yes, papers do take a lot of time to sort and declutter.

Am so pleased for you that you're able to get back into reading!

Yes, my cash strategy definitely needs more planning.

I didn't achieve much yesterday - was tired and overwhelmed, plus socialising with the neighbours. I did a laundry wash and watered front and back gardens. And the blasted possums have eaten the top 20 - 30cm of all my tomato plants, including the flowers! Obviously I can't have any plant that requires pollination 😣

Am hoping to achieve 3 hours today. I'm starting to see a bit of difference in the house - just a little.

I hope we both have a successful day today...

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm so sorry about the tomatoes you've been nurturing @NatureLover . I guess it's too late to wonder whether to cover them at night.

I have a mental block at the moment and don't know what to do. I've been moving some of the clutter around while working on it and it feels overwhelming again.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Dimity I feel so dumb - it never occurred to me to cover the tomatoes at night. I don't know why 😣

I have covered them now and am hoping I get some flowers.

Sorry you're feeling overwhelmed. I know that horrible feeling. I hope it goes away quickly.

I only managed 1.5 hours yesterday. But this morning I did the watering early and put a laundry wash on.

What will you do about your evening walks on the next 2 extremely hot days?

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I felt dumb too @NatureLover , I'd assumed your problem was birds not possums. I hope there's time for new flowers and fruit.

I only did 1 1/2 hours yesterday and 2 hours today and felt I was slacking. I've also finished a novel, a very silly romantic comedy by someone I'd briefly worked with. I think I'll try something more substantial before going back to the sequel. My eyes got very tired, despite the good light, so I'll be careful.

It's odd really what we expect of ourselves. A few weeks ago we would have been very pleased to achieve an hour and a half. Maybe we're improving!

I remember we agreed that tackling boxes would be a good thing to try in January. It feels very daunting. The livingroom is already worse again because I've been working through folders I brought in from other rooms. I guess I did that so I could sit comfortably while I work but it's why things feel overwhelming again. The boxes would be another big step. I only have 4 weeks now to spring clean and get on top of the garden and I'm not sure it's possible.

Sunday tomorrow. Another hot day. Today I walked at twilight. If I'm up early enough I'll water the grapefruit.

Let me know how you get on.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , I think you're right - I think we are improving! 🙂

I only did 2.5 hours yesterday and am hoping for a bit more today. However I've woken up feeling tired and with tired muscles. I've been up for an hour and would quite happily lie down again, so it might be challenging today.

You finished a novel! Well done, that's something you haven't been able to do for...how long?

Regarding the boxes, yes they're on my mind too. However the house comes first. Still a lot to do on the house...

I'm impressed that you walked at twilight, as it was still very hot then. I hope you were able to sleep last night.

Good luck today for both of us...

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @NatureLover @Dimity ,

I'm thinking of you both. Hope you are okay.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

That's kind of you to pop in, @tyme 🙂 Nice to see you.

I'm doing much better than I was in winter, thanks. Have found a new summer routine.

Hope you are OK too.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Nice! @NatureLover A 'summer routine' sounds interesting. That's pretty awesome to hear that things are much better than winter.

I think about you all the time 🙂

Feel free to tag me whenever you want 🙂

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