Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, @Dimity . Yes so much is changing.

Glad you are OK. Depression sucks, though. 🫂 Does it help to chat to the checkout person when shopping? I know that used to help me.

I need to stay home today and tidy the house. It seems ages since I've seen my psychologist. I think it must be next Friday. I want to give her a good report of the house if possible. Certainly couldn't right now!

Hope today is better for you 🤞

I had a quiet day @NatureLover . Mostly chores. I use the self checkout as I can't wrangle my shopping jeep through a checkout.

I think I've given up hope of things improving. I see the social worker again tomorrow. Pointless really.

Best wishes for your new job tomorrow.

Well done for doing chores, @Dimity . Better than me! I got distracted by people and went out for another long dog walk. So the house isn't tidied.

You sound really depressed and feeling hopeless 😥 Sorry to hear. Maybe the social worker appt will go better than you think?...Sending wishes 🤞

Thanks for your wishes for my new job.

Sending hugs 🫂

How did it go @NatureLover ? I trust the people were welcoming.

My counselling appointment was a bit disappointing although she tried to be supportive.

The sunshine today was nice but I skipped my walk, I was too tired after my appointment (it was draining).

Hi @Dimity sorry your appt was draining and disappointing 😣

I hope you were able to sleep last night.

The admin work I'm doing for the bigger charity is from home, on Mondays and Thursdays. However they didn't email me yesterday. Maybe I'll start on Thursday.

The work I'll be doing for the small charity will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting next week. That's only 2 hours a day, but I can get out of the house and go into the office for that one.

I guess down the track I can choose to focus on one or the other if it's too much for me. But I'll see how they go first.

Coffee out today. I managed an hour of tidying yesterday. All except for the kitchen.

I hope you feel less drained today, and can get done what you'd like...

Gosh @NatureLover you'll have a very full week when it all falls into place. It must be a good feeling to have your skills in demand.

I had a lot to process yesterday and have talked to a couple of family since. I slept very late today. Our family problems are difficult and complicated and emotionally draining. I think the constant worry is impacting my physical health as well as my mental health. The feeling of paralysis unfortunately seems to carry across everything I aspire to do. I'll try to focus more on goal setting, beyond the everyday effort. The counsellor wants me to distinguish the things that are outside of my control, and focus on the things I can do. It's hard in a caring situation because you seem to end up relinquishing responsibility yet the person you're caring for still desperately needs help.

Today? I'll try to follow up on new reading glasses and forward a long overdue referral. Self care.

Well I've ordered the new reading glasses @NatureLover .And booked a fence quote.

Maybe I'll manage to forward the specialist referral tomorrow.

I need to set goals beyond keeping up with chores. But I don't know what to aim for tomorrow.

Well done on ordering the reading glasses and the fence quote, @Dimity .

Yes, it'll be a full week but I think it's better than me sitting at home getting depressed. I just hope I'm up to the work - I'm not yet sure what the work will look like.

I'm not surprised your family problems are affecting your physical health as well as your mental health. 😥 It sounds very difficult 😥

I have a day at home so am hoping to clear the kitchen floor plus study a new software programme needed for my new job on Thursday.

I hope you feel up to forwarding the referral 🤞

well done @Dimity 😍

hello @NatureLover , @Eve7 , @Appleblossom , @Till23

I trust your day at home was either productive or restful @NatureLover . Is the new software likely to be tricky?

I had a slow start then went and picked up hundreds of litter, my go-to for feeling worthy. Then family stuff came up. I've dealt with it for now but it's going to blow up at some stage. I'm trying to act with integrity as third parties are involved. Yesterday other family were putting pressure on me again about other stuff. Very stressful.

I remember 40 years ago, before mental health was talked about much, stress management was emphasised. Workplaces ran courses and reIaxation tapes were popular. Minor tranquillisers were often prescribed, although dependence could become a problem. Yet now in these forums I can't remember many people ever raising stress as an issue. I'm not sure if it's a change of language usage and the way people describe things or if there's a genuine change and perceived internal states and relationship difficulties are now people's concerns rather than external stressors. Housing and finance problems and work pressures are still around but maybe they're accepted, unlike mental health where we blame ourselves.

Sorry to bring that up. I'm fighting neck and shoulder tension and a headache which I reckon are just stress related. My counsellor would say to let go of what I can't control but I think that's when it's internalised. Thinking back to what I was taught, progressive muscle relaxation and meditation come to mind... if they work for you.

Gosh it's cold.