messyjohn
New Member
Joined: January 2009
Posts: 1
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Post by messyjohn on Jan 28, 2009 19:04:38 GMT -5
I'm here because I wish to dig myself out of the mountain of trash I've surrounded myself with for about 10 years now.
I can feel that I've gotten myself together to get to this point. I'm finally fed up. Sick and tired of the squalor. Sick and tired of having to shut everyone else out that might care about me. Sick and tired of buying things that I already own, but are buried under garbage somewhere in my hell hole.
But I've only gotten as far as the first step - finally shouting it from the top of the mountain of garbage - I WILL DEFEAT YOU, GARBAGE PILE!
It can seem so overwhelming - I've already had a few false starts where I've filled a roll-off dumpster or two. Its different this time. I don't really know why. This time might be the one where it stays clean.
Thank you to those who have shared your experiences. I always thought it was just me, and the occasional person you see on the news.
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Blackswan
Banned
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 6,388
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Post by Blackswan on Jan 28, 2009 19:26:49 GMT -5
Welcome John.
Yes, you are NOT alone! We are all here to cheer you along.
Personally, I found that my problem was that I never learned how to maintain. I was reading on here and squalorsurvivors.com that you should choose one small area, and then keep it clean every day, no matter what. It could be as small as a table top.
I used to think that advice was way too simple, and how could I possibly focus on a table top when I had a pile on my bed to the roof. But finally, in desperation, I tried it. That was the key for me. I am now pretty much squalor free. It creeps back when I don't maintain, but never like it was before.
So, I always like to recommend that, because it was the ONE key for me, and if I hadn't given in and tried it, I would still have that bed pile today, and the rest of the piles all over my house, and in my car.
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Post by Ican on Jan 28, 2009 19:47:22 GMT -5
Hello, John! Welcome! I am a fairly new member myself, I joined the forum the end of November. This forum has helped me a lot already. Before I joined, my house was so cluttered that I did not want to let anyone into my house, except my mother and sibling. Now, after only being here on the forum for about 2 months, I have been able to get the place to the point where I felt comfortable enough - fortunately - that I have allowed repair people to come in, and I also had a friend come in my house a few days ago, too! The people here are friendly and helpful. This forum is really useful. I hope it helps you, too. Glad to have you here, John!
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Post by lorrainemondo on Jan 28, 2009 20:21:34 GMT -5
Welcome, John!
You will go far with support--we all have, even if our homes are still messy and we still have a distance to go.
I relate to what you say about "this time might be the one where it stays clean". I haven't got quite there myself but I know how the process works because I finally quit smoking after trying to quit for decades (I started quitting at 19 and made it at 42).
It's a journey! And people who conquer squalor have what it takes to change the world.
And this community is easily the best one on the World Wide Web. I'm totally serious when I say that, too.
If I wasn't messy I would have fantasies of falling into squalor just to join the people here!!
Lorraine
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Post by notsomessyshell on Jan 29, 2009 2:35:08 GMT -5
Welcome John! So glad you joined us. What Blackswan said about maintaining one small place is so very true. You may have a mountain of trash, but one small bag at a time will get it gone. You can do it!!!! This place has been a sanity saver for me. I am not alone, and neither are you. We are all here to cheer and help each other along our journey to cleandom! I am not there yet, but on my way. Looking forward to seeing you here.
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Post by creativechaos on Jan 29, 2009 3:25:41 GMT -5
hi john and welcome to the fold! so glad you decided to join us. i'm so very impressed that you were able to fill those dumpsters at all! so congratulations on that.
these people will help every step of the way. i have to agree with lorrainemondo that i feel lucky to be in squalor so i could find this group. before that, i was on a hoarding group and wondering why it was not working. (it was not because i have too much stuff, was bringing in more and more, and then was not maintaining.). that group was more geared toward routines and maintaining, so once i got in here and started to have small areas i could maintain, it helped me to better be able to be part of my other group too.
what swan said...i think a lot of us never learned how to maintain. and then on top of that, some of us are hoarders. or had some trauma or sadness or illness.
here, people really care, really understand, and i hope you will feel a part of things here. it helps so much to do stuff when you have people cheering and encouraging you every step of the way!
the listzilla fourms and chat can be tremendously helpful for getting things done. the photo section is awesome for inspiration and admiration. see you on the boards!
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Post by Warrior Kimmy on Jan 29, 2009 5:26:15 GMT -5
Hey John, Congratulations on not only finding the top of the trash pile but also seeing us!!! I loved your post...wonderful!!! You are certainly not the only one out there living in trash, and I am glad you are so sick of it, as that really gets ya moving!!!! There is so much emotion attached to every little thing you own and that makes the decisions so hard. But you have made one hell of a big move to post here and that is the hardest thing to do!!! Your post brought a big smile to my face, John!!! Believe me, life is a strange feeling without the trash about once you get started, you almost feel like you are evicting your friends. But if you bless the trash first it won't mind!!! It would LOVE to spend time at the waste management with all the other trash!! I want to say GOOD ON YA JOHN!!!!! It is so much nicer to actually sleep on a bed with clean sheets and a pillow, rather than the trash I used to curl up on, which was empty Coke cans, mouldy food packets and assorted pointy bits and pieces!!! Starting with doing the bed can mean you rest your body nicely for the task ahead. Lots of love Kimmy xxoxoxooxoxo xxxxx
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Post by skatters on Jan 29, 2009 6:14:11 GMT -5
Hi ya John! Welcome! You are among friends here.
Your post sounds wonderful! Of course this *will* be the time you will get it all taken care of, and get new habits in place.
Take your new found anger and be sure to put it to good use!
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Post by risenshine09 on Jan 29, 2009 8:55:58 GMT -5
Welcome John! So glad you found this place. You've made a huge first step and any little thing you do toward eliminating the problem is great. I'm finally realizing and accepting that and am beginning to see results. You will overcome this and we're here to cheer you on!!! I look forward to seeing your accomplishments, Sharon.
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Post by valor on Jan 29, 2009 9:47:18 GMT -5
Hi John, Welcome! I love what you wrote "I WILL DEFEAT YOU, GARBAGE PILE" You've put the trash on notice that it's going to be gone gone gone! There is lots of support here while you kick the mess out of your life.
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Post by AnnieOkie on Jan 29, 2009 12:34:16 GMT -5
Welcome! I'm glad you are here and look forward to reading about your progress. I agree with Kimmy on starting on your bed. My bedroom is on the list for dequaloring, but in the meantime, my bed is clean and comfy and I make it every morning. It is an island in the mess in there. Can't wait to get the entire room in line.
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Post by messymimi on Jan 29, 2009 13:12:16 GMT -5
Welcome, John !
"No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking." Voltaire.
Or of sustained action, for that matter.
Please don't think of the times you cleared out entire rolling dumpsters of trash as false starts. Think of them as practice runs.
Also, remember that even though each bag out the door in and of itself does not seem to make a dent, over time they will add up.
You deserve better than to live in a "hell hole", and I'm glad you are here to do something about it.
messymimi
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Post by crazycatlady on Feb 2, 2009 16:02:07 GMT -5
Welcome, John. And I am impressed by your "false starts" in filling a dumpster (or two). I hope that you keep reading here, and post to let us know how you are doing. We are ready to cheer you on!
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Post by eatingbonbons on Feb 3, 2009 11:35:18 GMT -5
Welcome, John!
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Post by dayeanu on Feb 9, 2009 23:25:44 GMT -5
Welcome! I'm glad you're here.
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