Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks for your kindness @NatureLover .

I trust the day went well for you, whether at home or at work. We were warned off a possible power outage for maintenance a few days ago but it didn't eventuate.

I'm proud of your keeping up your inspection standard, I recognise the effort involved.

I slept very late today.. The last few days had taken a toll. I have a busy week (for me) coming up with something every day. I'll try not to fall behind with things.

Thanks @Appleblossom I too have a fire in the belly at times when not too dejected. I've been researching services in the last few days, and speaking to a number of people. A mere carer is limited as to what they can do but I was advised on steps to clarify legal and financial matters. I also realised my own vulnerability in those areas.

Where capacity and receptivity are variable in my family members' case I try to work at their pace.

I'm not sure of the efficacy of prayer but have been told by a religious we can't do it for ourselves... I've also read our view of the Almighty is coloured by our early experiences with authority figures.

@NatureLover thanks for tolerating my negative moments, your ongoing support means a lot. I think I'm acquiring more insight into why I clutch some things and relationships so tightly.

I think mostly my prayer life is to help me not get cynical, but somehow regenerate hope within myself . No other choice.

@Dimity

Gentle 🫂 Hugs @Appleblossom

Hello @NatureLover I hope work went OK.

I had a break today. Visited a gallery.

Not much to add. Usual shambles here and the cat is yelling so I'll close there. Take care.

Thanks for your kind words @Dimity , and your support likewise.

Wow, you have something every day this week...hope it all goes well. That was nice you were able to visit a gallery.

Work went OK thanks but is still a bit chaotic. I think they are still advertising for a new manager, or maybe they are at the interview stage. But then the person will have to give a month's notice where they are. More volunteers are leaving.

I can hear rain this morning. I've got two days at home now, which is nice.

I hope your day goes well. Take care.

P.S. My hands are intensely itchy!! Even with the extra sensitive soap. It's driving me batty. I didn't use my therapy lamp today to try and ease it a bit.

@Dimity

Hello @NatureLover I heard the rain and went back to bed but the sun's out now.

It occurs to me you could ask your team about photosensitivity - sometimes called drug induced photosensitivity - caused by one or more of your meds. Your swift and extreme reaction to the uv light could well be a side effect. It's known to be a possibility with several different classes of psych meds.

It's a pain having to choose between your SAD and hands. It would be good if there's a ready solution.

I'm being pressured by one side of the family to set up legal and financial instruments for my own protection that would benefit them, while another side of the family needs some sort of intervention. Then there's the estrangements. There's a lot of psychological baggage to navigate through, and I can't remain stuck in a freeze response.

Meanwhile the house and garden are shambolic.

I'm not sure where to start, but I'll try.

Have a good day.

Oh gosh, your family situation sounds like a nightmare to navigate, @Dimity 😥 It sounds like you are stuck in the middle of two warring factions. I'm sorry to hear. 😥

I do hope you can protect yourself financially and legally.

You may be right about the photosensitivity reaction. Except that I don't get itchy in summer, with the sunshine. Hmmm, I might raise it with my psychiatrist. Although I don't want to change my psych meds. You're right, it was a pretty quick reaction to starting to use the therapy lamp again.

Hope your day goes well...

@NatureLover the pharmacy used to use stickers warning of possible reactions to sunlight with one of my meds. The spectrum of your light box might be a bit different to sunlight... hard to tell.

It's so cold! But the long range forecast is for a record breaking warm winter.