Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done, @Dimity - I saw on another thread that you'd emptied another box! 👏

Yes, sorting through papers is very slow.

I had a nice catch up yesterday, but no social events planned coming up. Worried also by rainy weather filling the 10 day forecast.

I got the rhubarb and books yesterday. Am home now for the next week! Unless I can think of something to go out for. It's a recipe for S.A.D.! 😣

How was your psychiatrist appt yesterday? (Did I get that right, you had a psychiatrist appt?)

Work today - always exciting for me. It gives me purpose, which housework, decluttering and boxes never seem to do, sadly.

A sense of purpose is so important @NatureLover . I feel lost without one. Sorry to hear your social catch-ups have slowed.

Yes, I caught up with my psychiatrist yesterday, and let him know he'd upset me last time. I don't think it helped very much.

I haven't decluttered yet today but will try this evening.

The new rooming house behind me seems finished. Intrusive bright outdoor lights are beaming into my kitchen tonight. I hope it won't be a nightly occurrence.

Thanks, @Dimity .

Well done on bringing up to your psychiatrist how he hurt you. That's not easy but it's important, I reckon.

Would you ever consider volunteering for that sense of purpose?

I wonder if your next door's outdoor lights are movement based? (I've forgotten the right word for that.)

I seem to be at a bit of a loss as to what to do. I forgot about my new schedule. The new schedule has me going out to the library to work on Thursdays. Also, the verandah is finally being fixed this Thursday from where the tree fell on it. So I need to clean and tidy today in case any of the carpenters need to use my toilet (which I'm dreading). Not looking forward to it.

Good luck to us both today!

I'm glad your verandah is finally being fixed @NatureLover .

I'm having trouble with my routine too. I'd wanted to exercise for instance but am not getting around to things. Today I worked for 4 hours and emptied another box. There's now a big stack of empty boxes in the hallway where they'll have to stay until I can figure out how to get around the next hurdles. That's where I'd like help from a support worker. Meanwhile I'll keep working on other stuff.

I don't think I have any skills to offer as a volunteer, and I don't have my own transport. Part of my decluttering is rediscovery of old projects that I might be able to revisit.

No next door's lights aren't motion sensor lights, they stay on. They might switch off after midnight as I vaguely remember it being dark in the small hours. I noticed a workman in fluoro gear there this evening.

It will be very wet tomorrow, your tradesmen might cancel.

Well done on your 4 hours' work and your empty box, @Dimity !

And I hope all the empty boxes in the hallway make you feel proud at your successful work in emptying them.

My experience with volunteering is that they teach you whatever skills are needed. But it's true, you don't have your own transport.

The carpenters arrived at 7.30 as planned. If they take down the whole verandah, my outside couch and othet furniture will get soaked. So I hope they will just repair the big hole. My neighbour's verandah will need complete replacing perhaps, as that actually fell down.

I'm planning to go to the library to work today, but it doesn't open till 10. Also need some more rhubarb!

I wonder if you will get a walk this afternoon / evening, as heavy rain is expected.

I just finished the rhubarb I'd stewed @NatureLover . I had it with vanilla yoghurt.

Did they finish fixing the verandah?

I went for a short walk in the rain.

Bad day today. Home help didn't go well, and one of the family was very angry with me. I drew a blank re tidying.

I'm very sorry re your upset with your family member's anger, @Dimity .

Did your home help criticise you??? 😥

You're keen, to walk in the rain!

I had a good day working at the library, and I got 3 bunches of rhubarb which should last a while. I have some yoghurt but didn't think of having it with the rhubarb...I might try that.

The carpenters didn't quite finish the verandah. They did rebuild my neighbour's part of the verandah, but not mine luckily. They did fix the hole in my verandah roof. They are due back as I write this (7.30am) to complete and paint. I don't know how they're going to paint when the wood is wet and it's raining!

I need to get up and dressed in case they knock on the door (which I really hope they don't!).

I hope your day is much better today 🤞

@NatureLover I think my family member and I assume the worst when communicating because of past trauma and family dysfunction. It's very sad and troubling.

With the home help I'd been discussing current affairs, politics and social issues and gotten out of my depth now she's voicing attitudes that disturb me.

I ended up very upset yesterday. I couldn't walk far because of the rain, but I needed it.

I hope your carpenters finished the job . The day turned out quite sunny. We had the monthly lawnmowing and other grounds maintenance.

I had a slow start today but tried to push through. I guess the day worked out okay.

Good luck for the weekend - hope it turns out well for you.

@Dimity that's a worry re your home help. 😣

Yes, the situation with your family is very sad and troubling.

Sorry you were so upset - it does sound very upsetting.

Yes, the carpenters finished the job. I will email the landlord to thank him.

I'm home today. Planning a practice drive tomorrow, to try to extend my capacity. Need to psych up for that.

Thanks for your good wishes - back at you.

Glad to hear the verandah is fixed @NatureLover . Hope you can restore the status quo with your outdoor furniture.

It takes courage to challenge phobias. It's hard enough gently pushing back on psychological barriers. Good luck.

Today I guess I'll slowly press on with chores etc. I know it's same old same old but refinding my rhythm would be good.