Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity yes, because I work from home I can do the work any time. Fridays are my usual workday, and there was plenty of work, so I was happy to do it.

Yes, am overstocked on groceries. This happens when I feel extra poor - it's like I panic and stock up, fearing I'll run out of money. Also I buy extra when it's on special. I'll have to see whether it all fits on my shelves, when I go to put it away. Hopefully today.

Well done for doing the bedroom and the spare room. That's good work. 👏

That's great about the big discount from the dentist. Do you think you'll go back there from now on?

I'm in bed in my phone, so will answer your next post in a separate reply as I can't combine them like I can on the computer.

Congratulations on your huge work day yesterday @Dimity ! That's a massive effort, 5 1/2 hours! 👏

And I was happy to hear you could see the good results of your efforts over the years. 🙂

Good luck waking up in time for the steam cleaning man. Is he doing the whole house (the carpeted bits I mean)?

I have to tackle the bags today as I need to wash them. I'm at home today so really there's no excuse. I do feel pretty flat but hopefully the sun today will help.

I hope the steam cleaning goes well.

Hi @NatureLover yes the cleaning chap did all the carpet and upholstery. I'm still trying to dry it off.

It feels a big achievement. I hadn't had it done for a VERY long time.

I guess it's re-set the status quo and will be the baseline for new tidying efforts.

I actually counted the boxes. And not everything is in boxes. But it gave me a shock.

I can understand your wanting to stock up food and take advantage of specials and discounts... but... in the past you've ended up giving a lot of it away... You've proved now you can adjust your buying habits (you were very successful) so maybe be selective about it? Meant very kindly, and not judging, as I've been there too. And bought stuff less important than food. Dunno if it was from a scarcity mindset though.

I'm very tired and sore so not ready to tackle the garden yet. It will be the next thing. But tomorrow I hope to visit someone.

Well done @Dimity for clearing enough space for the steam cleaner to do all the carpets and upholstery. 👏 It is a big achievement!

Sorry you got a fright counting your boxes though.

I cleared 4 bags yesterday so I could tell you I had. I washed 5 bags and did a little (very little) tidying. The rest of the time I ended up working on some urgent work that came through.

I hope your visit goes well today.

I'm glad you were busy and also managed to deal with the bags @NatureLover . I trust it helped your mood.

My visit was good in some ways but deeply troubling in others. It was a big effort.

Well done for your big effort in doing the visit, @Dimity . I'm sorry it was troubling.

I washed 12 bags (already cleared) yesterday and did some work. More bags to clear today. Yes, I think it helped my mood. As did the sunshine.

It looks like a busy week at work. Some weeks are busy and some are boringly quiet. It's taking some getting used to, as previously my work for 17 years was predictable.

I hope that you feel a little brighter / stronger today...

Wow 12 bags @NatureLover And more to do. I hope you have enough storage space for the contents.

With me it's mainly boxes.

I realise that the last time I tackled one particular set of boxes was 3 years ago and it triggered cptsd, culminating in a stroke scare. Then the family situation ran off the rails. I think it's time to try again.

I did a bit of gardening today but am still sore from all the work I did Friday. I have too many plants in pots (partly from impulse buying) and need to get them planted. I was glad to find I still have a geranium I grew from a cutting - its sister plant was smashed when I had the roof gutters cleaned.

Any progress with your verandah roof and damaged trees?

Wow, that's so positive, @Dimity : "I think it's time to try again." Wishing you much better luck this time around... 🤞

No, I don't have enough storage space for the contents of the bags. In fact, I'm having a bit of a problem. All the rumours about groceries and toilet paper about to be running short, due to trucks not running because of the petrol crisis, has caused my anxiety and Hoarding Disorder to flare up worse than usual. I went out the last 2 mornings to stock up. (Nothing's running short in the shops yet, so I'm not taking away from other people)

So today and tomorrow I'm staying home. The extra groceries assuage my Hoarding Disorder on one level, but cause me to feel out of control on another level, as there's nowhere to put the stuff.

Even as I write this I'm feeling the strong desire to go out for more groceries. It's lucky I have no room, as otherwise I think I would go out for more!

I see my psychologist soon and will discuss it with her.

That's nice about your geranium. I like geraniums and have 2 in a large pot.

The neighbours and I have totally cleared all the tree debris, saving the landlord money. But no, no progress on a new verandah or tree lopping - that tree is still dangerous.

Today is a work day but I also want to wash more bags, therefore want to clear a few.

Good luck getting your pot plants planted out. I think we're expecting quite a bit of rain this week.

Poor you @NatureLover you must be torn, and facing agoraphobia when shopping as well. Is it long until you see your psychologist under the new MHCP?

I can't get some of the frozen fruit I treat myself to with breakfast but maybe that's because it was a bad season last year.

That's not good about the lack of repairs and lopping. Perhaps you can gently enquire with the agent re progress?

I'd sensed things weren't right with my Easter visit and had that confirmed today. It's all very hard to deal with and I rang a support line. Who listened and asked questions but it didn't help me see a way through it all.

I'm slowly planting things but there's less room in the garden than I'd envisaged. Classic hoarders dilemma!?

Hi @Dimity , not quite sure when I see my psychologist next, but it's soon.

I did go shopping on the way home from a coffee catch up yesterday, but not to stock up on extra, just to get sultanas and crumpets. (Crumpets are my latest food obsession) I noticed there was a shortage of meat, so I suspect the shortages have started 😣 That's not good you couldn't get your frozen fruit.

I'm sorry things with your family are so hard to deal with.

What will you do if not all your plants fit into your garden?

Today I'm at home. No shopping! I'll do a bit of work as it's a busy week. Plus watering the undercover plants. Plus washing some more bags. Rain today - it's been raining this morning so no walk.

How was your craft group this week?