writeitup
New Member
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 3
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Post by writeitup on Apr 15, 2009 10:54:26 GMT -5
Been lurking a bit here and there, thought I'd come out of the cave and say hello. About a week ago I finally started cleaning a little. My goal was one small trash bag/day. Some days, it took two minutes, others days it took ten. But, a bag a day.
Now I'm noticing a difference (finally). I actually had enough floor space to run my vacuum for the first time in about two years (albeit only a portion of one room). And, I'd feel comfortable having people over (in that one room, heh, the door to my computer/study would remain closed).
I dunno how long it will take me to get to a point where I can stop my "bag a day" practice. Seems to be plenty left, but I do feel good about what's been done.
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Post by messyjedi on Apr 15, 2009 11:09:16 GMT -5
Welcome writeitup! I have a similar routine, but not a bag a day. When our garbage goes to the road each week for pick up, all cans MUST be full. So after our regular daily trash is in there, we fill the rest with yard waste (we live on a wooded lot, way more leaves than we can put out in one garbage pick up) or declutter stuff from the house. We are making progress, slowly but surely.
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Post by def6 on Apr 15, 2009 14:26:56 GMT -5
Good for you write it up! You have found a system and it works.
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Post by breakingfree on Apr 15, 2009 14:31:34 GMT -5
Hi and Welcome!!
Way to go on your progress. I started desqualoring with the mantra, "Something's better than nothing!" You Rock!
BF
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Post by mouse on Apr 15, 2009 15:00:55 GMT -5
Hiya! Congrats on getting started.  Keep it up, and if you want you should join people in chat: everyone agrees it's one of the best ways to get things done around here. Welcome aboard! ~Mouse  |
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Post by messymimi on Apr 15, 2009 17:54:22 GMT -5
Welcome, WriteItUp  !
You have discovered the secret -- some every day, no beating yourself up. You will be able to vacuum the whole house someday, one bag at a time.
It's good to have you here.
messymimi
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Post by Vassili on Apr 15, 2009 19:17:41 GMT -5
I would like to say, keep it up. You will get there. My mom is going through the same thing with all the stuff she hoarded since the 80s. Not exactly squalous, but it's the same process. You will get there, one step at a time. |
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Post by skatters on Apr 15, 2009 20:34:40 GMT -5
A bag a day! How wonderful! Stick around... you are among friends here!
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messytessy
New Member
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 24 
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Post by messytessy on Apr 15, 2009 20:57:35 GMT -5
Yep. Small steps.
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writeitup
New Member
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 3
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Post by writeitup on Apr 16, 2009 8:57:40 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for the support! My living space is looking better every day, and it is having an impact on my general attitude as well. Small steps, though, exactly.
For me, I think a large part of this was depression. I've a BA in both English and Sociology, an MA in English, and currently stock shelves to pay the rent. Looking back, I realize that my descent into squalor began around the time I took this job.
I was raised in a pretty messy home (cockroach fest, to be honest), but worked hard through college to turn my natural tendencies aside. It took a lot of work to break some habits that were fairly ingrained in me, but I did it. I can do it again, I'm sure.
I miss having people over...
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Post by autumn on Apr 16, 2009 9:46:06 GMT -5
Hi, Welcome! You found the right place! You may not be able to control the job situation right now, but it will get better and in the meantime it sounds like you are taking control of what you can, your home! I do something similar, but I make myself walk around with a bag that had to be filled for charity, or I make myself get rid of three things from each room. I have heard others mention playing games with themselves to get going and it really works. Even if it is a bottle of dried up nail polish, it is one less . Keep up the great work! |
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messytessy
New Member
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 24
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Post by messytessy on Apr 16, 2009 9:53:57 GMT -5
Hi there! I know how the job situation and depression can really affect things. I'm in a similar situation myself. I have a BS in computer science and for the last four years I've been forced to take on retail jobs that I absolutely hate to pay the bills. Recently I've found myself on unemployment because I was unable to meet the store's sales goals and lost my job as a result. Right now I'm working part time at a coffee shop. I'm hoping that the economy will pick up soon.  My plans are to move out of this small town I'm living in and back into Raleigh/Cary area. In order to do that I need to really clean up and purge my stuff. Good luck with everything. |
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writeitup
New Member
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 3
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Post by writeitup on Apr 16, 2009 10:17:47 GMT -5
I sympathize - I only moved to this town because a community college offered me an adjunct teaching position. Halfway through spring semester, I realized I hated teaching at a community college...I finished up the semester, and said I wanted to be taken out of the adjunct pool. I was done. What's funny, though, and kind of a sad commentary on the American education system - I make more money stocking shelves than I did teaching, and I have benefits as well (however shoddy they are, they are there). Well, I won't derail this into an essay on teachers. Today, I cleaned my toilet for the first time in...well, you don't need to know that, either  . I also bought some Febreeze to lessen the odor I've been picking up on, finally. I'll eventually clean up whatever is causing the stink (might be the pile of dirty clothes piled in the bedroom), but I like the "clean" scent, also. Hi there! I know how the job situation and depression can really affect things. I'm in a similar situation myself. I have a BS in computer science and for the last four years I've been forced to take on retail jobs that I absolutely hate to pay the bills. Recently I've found myself on unemployment because I was unable to meet the store's sales goals and lost my job as a result. Right now I'm working part time at a coffee shop. I'm hoping that the economy will pick up soon. My plans are to move out of this small town I'm living in and back into Raleigh/Cary area. In order to do that I need to really clean up and purge my stuff. Good luck with everything. |
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Post by valor on Apr 16, 2009 16:20:03 GMT -5
Hi WriteItUp, Good on you for cleaning your toilet. Doesn't matter how long it was since you'd cleaned it, all that matters is *now* it's clean. If you keep going like you have been, it won't be long at all before you can enjoy having people over again Main thing is *you* feel better about your living space, that's great. Welcome! |
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Post by cando on Apr 17, 2009 0:10:25 GMT -5
 WTG! Clean toilett!!! CD
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