In reply to "yearning4order":I go to meetings of 7 different 12-Step groups, but not more than one per day, ... and I usually average ONLY 3 meetings per week.
I don't go to every group each week!
Clutterers Anonymous talks about "time clutter" here:
clutterersanonymous.org/literature-excerpts/So, I try to approach my participation in 12-Step work with "moderation".
Yet, when seeking recovery, I know that I have to "be willing to go to any lengths" to get that recovery.
A paradox ... willingness ... yet moderation.
But that's what I need: to take ACTION, but without perfectionism.
For me, there is only one "program", and that's "working the Steps".
For me, step one is about the specific problem. The other steps are about changing my way of life.
I've tried separating out the programs to work a different set of 12 Steps for each issue, but that didn't work for me.
Squalor/overeating/procrastination/debting .... are all different symptoms of the same thing for me.
I use the steps for working on my inner character difficulties.
One of my programs says "shortcomings" instead of "character defects" ... and it goes on to say that a shortcoming is when we fall short of who we truly are. I like that, it's more positive.
Yes, forgiving ourselves is definitely part of the process.
In recent stepwork I did in one 12step program, I was advised that sometimes it's useful to make the first 3 amends to ourselves.
Clutterers Anonymous has a focus on concepts/principles *and* action
That's a different approach than a peer-support group that is primarily focused on action.
I don't expect to agree with everything but I do keep an open mind.
I just share what I feel comfortable sharing.
If need be, I just listen. I don't give my real name or my phone number.
(You have the OPTION of sharing your phone number at a meeting, but it's NEVER required).
I'm incorporating some of their concepts into my "generalized" 12-Step work.
Clutterers Anonymous has a great pamphlet called "Decluttering Resentments". It's for use with working Steps 4-9. Some of the concepts could be applied to any aspect of life.
I enjoy the "AFFIRMATIONS":
clutterersanonymous.org/affirmations/Like I said, I use all the ideas from all the 12-Step programs that I visit. I read the various literature and listen at meetings.
But for me, the "program" is what's in the Big Book. That's about uplifting my character and becoming a person who is more capable of living .... and of helping the world.
I would agree with you that Stepping Out of Squalor is more practical for truly understanding what's going on with the "squalorous mindset" ... and for learning all sorts of methods of desqualoring.
Anyhow ... my reason for starting this thread was NOT to "promote" Clutterers Anonymous.
Just wanted people to be aware that it's a method available to those who might be interested -- a possible tool in our desqualoring toolkit.
I think it's helpful to look at ALL the methods available:
- therapy
- reading and doing exercises in books on dehoarding
- medication
- Non 12-step "peer support" such as "Stepping Out of Squalor"
- 12-Step work such as Clutterers Anonymous
Look at all those tools -- and all the different types of each one ... and then pick and choose what works for each of us. We are all different, so we each need to find our own combination of tools.
My most important reason for starting this thread was to let people know about the "phone activity sessions" that Clutterers Anonymous offers. A parallel to the "chat challenges" we have here at Stepping Out of Squalor.
An option that could be used by those who so choose.
I explained it in depth so that people would know how it's similar to our chat challenges, and how it's different.
