Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, @Dimity . Yes, yesterday went better than expected. I did the errands and the watering, then rested. Then did the small kitchen bench and cleared the floor of a few bags and did laundry in the afternoon. It was less than I needed to do, but more than I thought I'd get done.

A work day today which is always a relief as it means I don't have to clean the house.

I'm sad to hear sleep doesn't feel safe for you. You've mentioned not feeling at home anywhere. It must be hard.

Also sorry to hear that you and your cat are not doing well. Sending hugs 🫂 and wishes 🤞💜

That sounds a good day yesterday @NatureLover . Were you pleased with it?

I hope work went well today

I'm still a bit confused by the craft group. The minibus people are nice but the people I sit next to in the group can be quite rude. It's sad they need to turn their backs on me midsentence before I realise again my voice is unwelcome. I was saying something innocuous but the matriarch spoke over the top of me and they turned to her. They're rude about one of the men too, in his hearing or even to his face.

I'm worried about my decluttering. I'm plugging on but too slowly. Tiger likes sitting on the boxes.

The family situation is difficult too. In the last few days I've communicated with 4 different factions.

Do you work tomorrow?

Hi @Dimity , yes thanks, I was pleased with my efforts on Monday but not yesterday, where I achieved nothing, not even work. An upsetting day was the reason.

So yes, will have to do some work today to catch up.

Sorry to hear about the rudeness of some craft group members. Do you think they're scared to ignore the dominant lady?

I didn't realise you had 4 different factions in your family 😥

My phone is playing up (not sending or receiving messages) so sadly it's time for a new phone. Am very, very frustrated by all these technology problems. That is today's task, along with a bit of work.

I feel very unsettled at present, having trouble sleeping and questioning things. Tech communication problems with others aren't helping.

I hope you can see some hope, even just a little bit.

@NatureLover tech problems that impact communication can be so frustrating and upsetting. I hope you can resolve them and set up your new phone.

I don't think the craft people are scared of the matriarch. I just don't count. As my family (of whom there are many factions) have always let me know.

Not sleeping properly is both cause and symptom of worries... a vicious circle. I hope your meds can help tide you over. How has your asthma been? Respiratory problems make sleep difficult too.

I had an upsetting day today too. I think I've done my best, but I hope that doesn't mean I'm complacent. I have such mixed feelings and so much guilt even (especially) when I'm trying to do the right thing. But people don't see that.

Hi @Dimity , I think the new phone is finally set up. It always discombobulates me. Just need to check all my contacts have transferred across.

I'm so sad your family have always let you know "you don't count". You definitely count to me.

Sorry you had an upsetting day yesterday. Has today been any better?

Thanks for asking about my asthma - it's much improved and has subsided into a stress response, which is normal for me.

I've got a dreaded day tomorrow. I have to go to a large hospital (germs!!) that I've never been to before, to a public allergy clinic to be tested with penicillin. This is to determine if I've grown out of my penicillin allergy. The appt takes 3 hours and is a long way away (50 minutes' drive). I'm dreading every minute.

I hope you are coping. Thank you for your friendship.

I appreciate our connection @NatureLover and always look forward to hearing from you.

You've done a great job in setting up your phone. I'm still procrastinating about mine.

Today started badly - I was very stressed by my family member - but my home help person was good. She's an interesting person to talk to if we get a chance.

I'm very glad your asthma has settled. I trust stress doesn't trigger it often.

My father and a sibling were allergic to penicillin. I thought it would have been lifelong. I wonder if penicillin is still used much.

I know you find hospital visits very stressful, and this sounds longer than most. I hope it goes well. It's a long drive for you too, another worry. I think some people can take an anxiety med prn. I haven't.

I'm very tired. My family member was particularly nasty yesterday. I make allowances for their physical and mental health but it takes a toll.

Best wishes for tomorrow. It sounds like a bug day.

.

Thanks, @Dimity . ❤️

I haven't been prescribed an anxiety prn. I was prescribed one many years ago, but never took it so it expired.

Apparently it's quite common to grow out of a childhood penicillin allergy. Penicillin seems to be in quite a few antibiotics that I currently can't have.

Am so glad that after all that trouble with your home help people, this lady is nice and a good cleaner.

Sorry to hear that you were so stressed by your family member being so nasty. 😥 Of course it would take a big toll.

Thanks for your good wishes for today. Same for you 🙂

I've been reading Paper Avalanche every night for the past few nights and I've been thinking about you every time @NatureLover @Dimity and others on this thread.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Paper-Avalanche/dp/1910989967

It's an easy/light read. Young Adult Fiction about a teen who lives with her mother who is a hoarder.

@Dimity @NatureLover Thanks for sharing your understanding on this thread with me re hoarding. I've learnt so much. I can see the underlying emotional challenges that hoarding stems from. It's been such an eye opener.

Looks interesting @tyme . Yes hoarding and social isolation can feed off each other. And I saw unhelpful coping mechanisms in family members who had it worse than me. A kid trying to compensate, perhaps like your book. And sometimes being blamed.

@NatureLover I do hope your stressful drive and long hospital tests worked out for the best and you found you've outgrown your allergy.

I'm a wreck, very tired. Trying to push on.

Anything we can do to make it easier for you @Dimity ?