Yikes! The upside, by the third round you just might not care anymore. So, is this all taking place this coming week? Could this be the encouragement you need to clear your worst corner? What is it you would be most ashamed of? I had to let people (friends and neighbors) in yesterday that stopped by to return stuff or for a quick question and as the weather is nasty you can’t just leave them at the door stop. For the first time in what feels like forever I had a clean only mildly cluttered downstairs and I was just fine with letting them in. I have let countless people in over the last few weeks without being fine with letting them in, mostly workers. And I was cringing at the levels of clutter.

I shall “drink to” your courage of letting them in. As horrible as it is, for me it was also moment of setting myself free. Exposing myself to one of my biggest fears and living to tell the story has helped me tremendously in accepting that this is a side of me that is just part of the package. And I am an awesome package! :lol:

Thurs afternoon my home phone and internet went down. Called the service company; earliest available appt was Sun morning. I took it.

The last time my internet went out — I was so ashamed to let anyone in that I lived without internet service for at least 2 months, if not longer :oops: I took my laptop to the library during those months and used their unsecured internet, all the while paying for my non-functioning home service.

Saturday night when I went to bed… still hadn’t done any significant tidying. Got up 2-1/2 hrs before the scheduled appointment time on Sun morning. Had breakfast. Washed dirty dishes. Put away / hid some stuff. Swept the floor. Straightened up my desk somewhat. Made sure the modem was easily accessible. Certainly far from Architectural Digest — but I was not in my usual Panic Mode :!: : :!: :o

When the technician arrived, I didn’t start apologizing for the state of my home or making excuses for the clutter. I led him to the modem. He popped in and out of the house a couple times. While we waited to see if the internet connection was back on, we chatted about how shopping for his kids’ Christmas presents was harder now with Toys R Us sadly no more.

My phone and internet were restored. I wished him a nice day and a Merry Christmas. And I went on with my day.

I think I’ve been taken over by an alien because I don’t recognize myself :shock:

Oddsocks – hats off to you for joining the decluttering group :!: Maybe this alien who’s taken over me will pay you a visit on Jan 12th :lol:

CQ – how’d the b/day party go??

Hello ladies!

@CQ

I remember typing encouragement and solidarity words for your birthday party but cannot find any post of mine ???

maybe I was dreaming I posted it??

So how did it go and how is it going?

@StS

GO YOU!!! that was a great step forward with the internet guy access no sweat! YAY!

@Oddsocks

it’s great that you have

1 appointment fixed on January

another one soon

so my suggestion would be – from experience – to ride the momentum, I promise it helps, fix the builder now for asap, so you are already going about it

You are anyway already in the process of doing whatever you can to have the other people access, so one more you will notice less, then if you wait and have to restart the process

I have the painter yet again, and this is the third week he is around, and he will have to be coming again later, maybe tomorrow

it’s still stressful at some level because it’s not exactly fun to have someone you don’t know working in the house (but it could be better than lots of people I know actually :lol: :lol: :lol: I

and because the bathroom at this point will get delayed who knows for how long because the next days are sort of crazy

but I agree with StS that at a certain moment you get sort of desensitised to people seeing the mess

for me it’s also probably that I am so physically and emotionally tired I start to care less about whatever they could possibly think, I just need it done

rooting for you all!

2nd repair tech came today. Happy to report that despite every room having visible clutter — I didn’t feel stressed letting him in I guess the alien’s still with me :lol:

Here’s to the repair sticking this time :!:

Oddsocks, I’m sorry the pest control person lectured you. And I understand how upsetting that must have been. But I hope you’re exercising self-compassion, and in case you’re not — I’m here to dole out some sompassion :!:

You let the pest control person in to address the problem. And that’s huge. Because now you know where the holes are and they will be blocked up to take care of the problem. You are fixing the problem. You are “fixing” yourself. You are healing yourself.

This is a WIN for you… a big ACCOMPLISHMENT. And I’m proud of you. Please let that sink in and enjoy your time in Liverpool

(((hugs)))

StS

Not a nice way to speak to you – but if there really are rats getting into the house, do be very careful and act as soon as you can to keep them out and to clean, get rid of any food which could have been ‘got at’ by them – rats are dangerous in that, although they actually keep themselves clean and neat they carry diseases which can even be caught through contact with their urine – be sure to wear rubber gloves when cleaning.

I used to work in the food industry and I keep all foods not in the fridge or freezer in jars, or boxes of metal, glass or thick plastic, with lids. Nothing can get in or out.

My own progress, such as it is, has taken years – but I am really seeing such a difference now it is just a matter of keeping on doing things regularly, so that they become the normal thing and everyday occurrences.

After a time, though – you might start to get sudden impulses to start to tidy shelves and corners where things have accumulated, and sometimes at the most inconvenient times – it does feel so very strange, but also enjoyable in an odd way.