Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, @Dimity . I struggled yesterday, especially in going out to coffee. Today feels a bit better, even though I've been awake since 4am.

I find it hard to focus on boxes plus chores at the same time. At least you are doing one or the other!

Well done on your load to the Opp Shop.👏

Did you sleep any better last night, like you wanted?

Work today, and I'm glad I don't have to leave the house. I want to stay home for a week! Not possible though.

I hope you can get done what you'd like today.

Sorry to hear the coffee outing didn't repay the effort @NatureLover . I hope you had a reasonable day despite your early start.

My day was a write-off apart from having the roof guttering cleaned. I guess I could count it as rest or respite.

I've forgotten to plant some cuttings. They're still in the fridge. I'll have to buy some propagating mix.

I slept OK thanks but getting to sleep far too late then sleeping late. I'm sure it must impact my mh to not be getting enough sunlight. And I've been too tired to get into the garden. I often forget to walk until twilight. I guess I'm just not on top of things.

Saturday tomorrow. Weekends don't mean much to me other than worse bus services, preventing me from venturing out for shopping. I can get groceries within walking distance.

Well done on any bit of clearing you have done @Dimity @NatureLover . My place is piling up again... i need to get it under control before it controls me!

I really hope the iron infusion helps. I've had really low iron so I'm back on supplements and it's made a huge difference.

Sometimes I wonder how a small chemical imbalance can cause a world of chaos!!

Sitting with you both.

Happy to work on some goal setting with you if you want. Goals around cleaning, clearing, gettting stuff done? No pressure of course!

@tyme that would be good thanks. I'm not good at goal setting then sticking to it.

But a few weeks ago my strong wish to get things moving coincided with the start of Lent and 40 days to establish new habits appeals. So I've been working on decluttering. I must have gone through about 20 boxes but I've only been able to part with about 1/4 or 1/3 of the stuff. I'll see how much more I can get through before Easter. Then I'll have to work what to do next, maybe hide the boxes away again. Or better, keep going through cupboards etc to free up more space.

I offered this goal setting accountability thing because recently, I totally DID NOT want to vaccuum, mop, clean etc... but because I told @NatureLover that I'd do it, I was cleaning like no tomorrow and in my head, I was saying "Gotta to it for @NatureLover . Gotta do it for @NatureLover " That was the ONLY reason I did it! So it works when I have to do it for someone else!

@Dimity . Do you want to set an achieveable goal? You mentioned 'clearing cupboards' but that sounds like a huge job. Do you need to break it down?

@tyme yes accountability can be good.

One smallish but positive thing I can do is have a look through my stash of craft fabrics to give more away. I can even set a time limit - fill at least one bag in time to take it to craft group on Tuesday.

@NatureLover and I have sometimes helped each other.

Haha, you made me laugh @tyme when cleaning up for me!! 😂

The coffee outing was OK once I got there, it's leaving the house that's the problem as always.

I'm glad to hear you slept OK. I did too, last night, at last.

Had a good, productive day at work yesterday. It makes me feel I've achieved something, when I'm not achieving anything on the house.

I don't know what to do today. Maybe it'll become obvious after breakfast.

Sorry you're struggling with everything. I wish things would ease for you.

@Dimity

It's a relief that you find work so rewarding @NatureLover . No doubt the charity appreciates your work too.

Getting over the hump of agoraphobia each time you go out sounds draining. It reminds me of something I learnt in physics called "activation energy" - it takes an initial effort then things roll downhill easily.

I don't know what to do today either- lots needed but I'll have to start somewhere. Chores, Bunnings, gardening. Decluttering. It's too late for a "morning" practice but I'll read a couple of poems, do some exercises and take it from there.

@NatureLover , having rewarding work can really help a person stay well. It doesn't 'fix' things, but it gives people a sense of purpose and that's so important as part of recovery. And YES! I was going around like a headless chook just saying your name and everytime I wanted to stop, I'd think of you again - so it worked!

@Dimity - did you get to accomplish much today? I've been so tired today. I think my iron is low again... it's a different 'tired'.... it's alike a painful tired. So no, I didn't get much done today, but I might later tonight.

Hope you are both well.