Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , I'm glad the worst of your virus is over. That seems quick, as opposed to what I'm hearing in general from people.

Was the psychologist helpful?

Yes, I really need the sense of purpose that work gives me. If I woke up every day with nothing to do except housework, I would just give up I reckon!

I have a goal of an hour's chores too, but rarely meet it.

That's a lot of development going on around you.

Would a holiday help your low ebb?

I've got dog walking today. It's due to rain so I need to go out and buy an umbrella first. Somehow I've managed to lose two umbrellas in the last couple of years. I also need more crumpets.

Hoping today is a bit better for you...

I guess it might not have been a virus @NatureLover just a build up of different things for more than 3 weeks. I slept for over12 hours again but don't feel restored yet.

I'm glad you have people to catch up with, perhaps you're more social than you used to be - when just going to work put in you in contact with people.

A holiday could be nice but I can't face travelling alone.

In some ways it was a relief to see the psychologist as I hadn't really seen anyone for so long. But she was adamant that therapy would help and I'm dubious. I think I've given up hope. Yep nothing but housework to do - at least that's my priority - and I can't even do that. I really took to heart the home help's criticism although I felt I'd tried hard for the last couple of months. I'm still very disappointed the support worker fell through.

Awww @Dimity hun. I'm hearing you. I hear you are disappointed. It sounds so hard. I really wish I could help you out.

I haven't been around in a while because I've been away, but please know I'm here for you @Dimity @NatureLover

Hugs @Dimity 🥰

Have missed you @tyme , hope you are OK

Whether it was a virus or not, I'm glad it was quick, @Dimity 🙂

I'm not surprised you don't feel restored, with the weight of all that you're carrying. 😥

You're definitely right that I now need more socialising than before, now that I don't see people at my work. However I'm feeling that it's not enough socialising for me even so. I find weekends long and depressing. I reached out to some people but have got no response.

Today am at home in order to prioritise the house. I could go to the library to work, but the house looks bad. I hope I do actually manage to tackle the house and not just read. Am still in bed so I'll have to see how I feel once I get up.

Is your psychologist still pushing the EMDR that you don't want?

I'm cross that your home help criticised your efforts. I know that you have indeed worked extra hard and achieved success the last couple of months. I am impressed. It is not the role of the home help (or anyone!) to criticise you!

Did the day get better for you @NatureLover ? I'm not doing enough socialising either but don't feel up to going out to lunch with strangers through the social support people. Maybe I will in time.

My headache is back. I had a bad day. Yes EMDR is back on the agenda although I asked for ACT instead. I'm sleeping a lot and not getting things done. I'm dreading craft on Tuesday, there's some mending I'll have to do beforehand as I know I'll be asked about it. I haven't been cooking my usual meals. I realise things aren't quite right but I guess they never are. I haven't looked yet for the EMDR preparation I was given months ago.

Tomorrow I'll check in with my psychiatrist. I'm not expecting anything to come of it. Other than that, I have no plans.

How are your SAD and excoriation disorder since the end of daylight saving? I trust they're not flaring up again.

Hi @Dimity , no, I ended up just reading all day after all. But I did sit in the sun for an hour, which did me good.

Thanks for asking - my Excoriation Disorder is not too bad thanks, but the S.A.D. has started months early this year, which is a worry. I'm using my therapy light more to try to combat it, which will make my skin itchy any day now I expect.

A work day today with no work! At least, I checked the work email and nothing's come through, which is very disappointing.

I'm sorry your headache is back. And that yesterday was a bad day.

Also that you're dreading craft on Tuesday. Is it because of the mending? Or the social aspect?

I hope the appt with your psychiatrist goes well today.

Sad about the SAD @NatureLover .

I think it's everything about the craft group atm. I might ring Monday and cancel.

The psychiatrist appt was ... disappointing. And worrying. I feel he's written me off.

Sorry to hear no work had come through. Maybe you read and had time in the sun again?

I'm sad that you feel you need to ring and cancel your craft group, @Dimity .

Also that your psychiatrist appt was so demoralising 😥

Some work came through for me in the afternoon. I'm struggling with the unpredictability of the work. I like the busy times but not the flat times.

No, no reading in the sun yesterday. But I did disinfect some library books.

A weekend now with nothing but housework to do 😣 I wish I could get inspired or at least motivated by it.

Hoping we can both somehow feel a bit more positive or engaged by our chores / decluttering this weekend 🤞

@NatureLoverhaving to contend with intermittent and unpredictable work sounds difficult.

I seem unable to get anything done at present. Except I shopped for some groceries then cooked a good meal, the best in a while.

It sounds as though your agent has held off on inspections since before the tree damage, which is good.