Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hope the day worked out OK for you @NatureLover . I tried to press on.

Oh no, @Dimity ! Is your cat OK? Is the toilet fixed?

I hope the pain meds are working for your back.

I worked a long day yesterday but I reckon I'm still 2 days behind. I've had lots more duties put on me in the last few months which is not sustainable for me. I don't know what to do about it as I don't want to rock the boat with the new boss and all.

Also, at the end of the day yesterday my new boss told me off. She did it nicely but I felt crushed.

Happy to be staying home quietly for 2 days now.

I hope today you have success in your aims and feel a bit better.

I think the cat is OK thanks and I've done my best with the toilet. I'm thinking about renovating, starting with the bathroom and replacing the separate toilet but it's an enormous undertaking.

It' sounds a difficult situation for you at work As a volunteer I'm not sure if you can negotiate kindly but firmly and establish some boundaries around what you do. I think that's definitely fair and appropriate given your mental health - and I think they need to recognise and make allowances as for any disability. But I know being assertive and drawing attention to your situation will be very difficult. If your workload isn't manageable and you leave surely that disadvantages them.

Two days recovery isn't much but I hope you can rest and recuperate this weekend

Thanks for understanding. Two days isn't much recovery time. Plus I discovered the ferns I planted a few years ago were dying, so I gardened all around them this morning - the leaf litter was so deep that I don't think any water was getting through.

Now I'm lying down!!

Wow, renovating would be a huge undertaking.

I am thinking what I can do about reducing my workload long term. Thanks @Dimity .

I hope you can save the ferns @NatureLover . My herringbone ferns have round balls on the roots which seem to make them cope with less water than you'd expect.

Perhaps you could draft some talking points for your new boss and get your psychologist to help?? It will be tricky but things could get worse if you don't draw a line somewhere. I say that knowing I rarely advocated for myself when working.

I'd better water before dark...

That's a great idea about asking my psychologist - thanks, @Dimity . I hadn't thought of that.

I gave the ferns a good soak today and we are due to get rain tomorrow.

Hope your watering goes well tonight and you get a good sleep.

Thanks @NatureLover . I felt very unwell overnight - but woke to lovely rain. I hope you had good soaking rain too.

Sorry to hear, @Dimity 😣

Do you mean mentally or physically unwell?

Yes, have had nice solid rain here.

Dunno @NatureLover I'd have to say both mental and physical, I can't separate them, I guess it's sort of visceral with some panic also in the mix. I've been waking multiple times a night feeling unwell ever since I got home a fortnight ago. I'm not getting much done during the day, I'm worn out.

I have at least 4 appointments coming up this week including the surgeon.

Do you feel rested and ready for work? Hope so.

Hoping no more difficult surprises at work @NatureLover