DC
New Member
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 18
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Post by DC on Feb 9, 2009 19:00:47 GMT -5
I'm not even sure how to start this, so I suppose I'll just go for it. Hi! I'm Teresa. I'm 27. I'm just home from vacation in Chicago and after staying in a really small hotel room for five nights, I came home to The Mess - lots more room, yet lots less actual livable space. I love my apartment, but it's trashed. I'll have to take and post some pictures, but my problem is a mixture of being a packrat, being a hoarder, and being a slob. I see them all as different things, as some things I'm just too *** to sort through, some things I actually freak out about getting rid of, and some of the things are just...dirty dishes that need washed, laundry that needs done, etc. I'm sick of it. In fact, I think that some foot surgery I had last year might have been avoided if I'd kept my apartment cleaner. I had a problem with my Achilles tendon and I was in a walking boot. I had to take the boot off quite a bit at home because otherwise, I couldn't walk through my apartment. It was that bad. Four months later, part of my tendon was removed (ew) and I was off work for 11 weeks. I was completely non-weight-bearing on my right foot for 7 weeks. My foot is semi-healed (it takes about a year) but I know, deep down, that the injury was not just a fluke. It was at least partly caused/made worse by the mess. The apartment is a bit better now, and I'm on medication for the OCD and I'm starting CBT. I'm just overwhelmed a bit at where to start. A co-worker has offered to take me to Goodwill, so I can donate a ton of books and knick-knacks that my extended family always seems to get me for Christmas, yet I never really want. I'm sick of going out with my family or friends and knowing they can't pop in my apartment to use my bathroom. I'm sick of panicking every time they send out the "pest control" notices (our building is sprayed quarterly) and I have to tell the apartment manager not to come in my apartment because I know I'd probably get in trouble. I'm just rambling now, so I'll shush (and go clean something!), but I'm SO happy to have found this board and I think it'll be good for me. I can do this, and I will. I'm working on kicking my life into shape in a few different ways, and I'm so very excited about it!  |
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Post by charis on Feb 9, 2009 21:06:48 GMT -5
Welcome, welcome!  So glad you are here; I like the name "dangerouslycrafty"--it can contain a lot of meanings |
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Post by crazycatlady on Feb 9, 2009 22:37:34 GMT -5
Welcome, DangerouslyCrafty. I like how you said that you would stop writing, and go clean something. There was a member at the old board named Inga who would read, then clean something, then read some more.
If you are a hoarder, and a packrat, and a slob, then this is the place for you. And to be just 27. Goodness, I am almost 20 years older than you! You have your whole life ahead of you, and if you stick around here, you will learn lots of new skills to help you open up some space in your home.
I'm glad that you found us. Welcome.  (Edited to add: I hope that you will post often. No matter what labels we attach to ourselves, as Meme says, at the core we are worthy. I look forward to getting to know you as you post here.)
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Post by Meme on Feb 9, 2009 22:52:53 GMT -5
welcome to the board- yes- you and I could be the hoarder- packrat- slob - but also we are woman- friend - and worthy- and so on........
the best beginning is to forgive yourself of your short comings and accept them so that you know which ones to change-that will benefit you and you still let you be you-
I am glad to have you here and yes, I often say weird tongue twisters but that is me ( smile)
hugs from Meme
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Post by dayeanu on Feb 9, 2009 23:17:53 GMT -5
Welcome, DC! So glad you're here. You're among friends!
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Post by AnnieOkie on Feb 10, 2009 12:40:19 GMT -5
Welcome! I hear ya on the knick-knacks.....they s*ck!!! Things we really don't need.....they are cute.....most of the time have feelings attached because of who gave them to us. I have years of this kind of mess around in boxes, etc. They are also hard to keep clean. I'm glad you found us and hope this place helps you as much as it has helped me!
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Post by eatingbonbons on Feb 10, 2009 16:27:08 GMT -5
Welcome, Teresa! You'll find lots of encouragement here. You've off to a great start already. I hope your foot continues to heal and you'll be bouncing around soon. Think Tigger!
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Post by Ican on Feb 10, 2009 21:13:59 GMT -5
Hello & Welcome!
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Blackswan
Banned
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 6,388
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Post by Blackswan on Feb 10, 2009 23:29:42 GMT -5
Welcome! I am 27 too. Just wanted to let you know, the Salvation Army will pick up things from your house, so you don't have to worry about getting a ride, and you don't have to worry about lugging it all out there. Happy desqualoring! |
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DC
New Member
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 18
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Post by DC on Feb 10, 2009 23:33:26 GMT -5
Thank you all so much! Swan - I'll look into the SA closest to me. I can grab paper boxes from work to pack stuff in. Tonight I had the "WHEE!" feeling going so I did so much stuff - 2 loads of laundry, a bunch of dishes (including the ones from the bedroom), took out 4 bags of trash (2 were already full, 2 newly full) and started cleaning the bathroom sink! I'll get there. I don't think I want to talk about this all too much on my main blog, since people who don't get it might think...well, you know what they might think! I don't know if I'll post it somewhere else but I feel a need to have some sort of daily tracking for myself of what's been accomplished. We shall see! |
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Post by valor on Feb 12, 2009 10:12:07 GMT -5
Hi Dangerouslycrafty, Welcome Hope your foot heals well and quickly. Good on you for getting so much done! |
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Post by skatters on Feb 12, 2009 18:18:59 GMT -5
Hi DC! And welcome! If you haven't yet, pop over to the Listzilla threads and see if something there might meet your daily tracking needs... if not, feel free to start something!
Again, Welcome!
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Post by messymimi on Feb 12, 2009 19:53:16 GMT -5
Welcome, DangeroulyCrafty/Teresa !
Glad you are so determined to kick your life into shape. Just make sure you do all the kicking with your good foot.  (Sorry, I couldn't resist. I've got a million of 'em, all bad.)
It's good to have you here.
messymimi
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Post by creativechaos on Feb 13, 2009 2:03:05 GMT -5
 mimi!!! crafty, welcome! i like your plan to start with the things you don't really want that are burdening you. at first i thought your moniker meant you were an out of control crafter! i thought, "hey we can trade crafting and art supplies! (sick). can't help it, mimi's started me! you will love it here with these great people! |
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