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Post by lorrainemondo on Mar 8, 2010 13:40:17 GMT -5
Hi Yawl,
Last summer, I posted about how I finally emerged from squalor after 30 freaking years. The trick, for me, was to make a home for every single molecule in my apartment and to put labels and signs everywhere, for everything. Looks very eccentric but it works.
Happily, as it turns out, in the summer I was off on a sick leave with a frozen shoulder and had plenty of time to do this deed--with one arm! Actually, what really got me going was the intense fear that my other shoulder would freeze (I had a bit of pain in my good shoulder one day and when I looked it up, discovered that while rare, 2 frozen shoulders at the same time is possible)
I was very afraid I would be armless in squalor! The mental picture the fear conjured got me off my butt and working every day even through pain. Fear rocked in this case.
On Friday there was an notice of inspection for Monday (today). First time the apartments in my building have been inspected in the 8 years I've lived here.
I did choose to do some cleaning this weekend like washing the floors and really cleaning the bathroom etc., but mainly--THERE WAS NO PROBLEM and I didn't feel like killing myself or the inspectors when I opened the inspection notice!
What liberty! And it's all thanks to a frozen shoulder and some fear.....
I'm waiting for them now to knock on my door......
Lorraine
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Mar 8, 2010 14:29:15 GMT -5
Isn't it wonderful to be able to open the door anytime? I felt the same way when our dryer needed repair. And this week, Il> clearing a 3'X4' spot in the garage to store a package with no problem! Enjoy your day!
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Post by CaringFriend on Mar 8, 2010 16:37:57 GMT -5
That is so wonderful - to be so organized after 30 years!!!  You mentioned that it looks eccentric to have labels and signs everywhere. But some people need that and never think to do so. As a retired teacher who has worked with children of all kinds, I can tell you that would benefit many ADD/ADHD people. One woman I read about someplace said she keeps her purse hanging from the knob of the front door because she can never remember where it is. She also keeps here hairbrush hanging from string in the bathroom because that's another thing her brain will not remember. Would that look strange? Probably, but if it works for her and labels/signs work for others that's all that counts! A member here at SOS posted photos of her shelves and boxes with labels on everything. Some people may think that's eccentric or "over the top", but we do what we have to do to achieve some semblance of order and calmness. I wish I could remember whose pics those were, but I can't at the moment. Hopefully she will respond to this thread. I was impressed by what she did. |
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Post by CaringFriend on Mar 8, 2010 17:16:06 GMT -5
Found the pics: Echo's organization pictures. I forgot that most of her organization was visual, but she did label containers that held many things so she could easily find what she wanted. Perhaps someone would think all of her glass containers were unnecessary, but that's what SHE needed. Your solution and Echo's are examples of my signature line: "Every problem has a solution. Keep trying until you find something that works." Some people try one or two ideas and when those don't work, they give up and continue living in an environment that is emotionally unhealthy for them. |
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Post by Rory on Mar 8, 2010 17:21:51 GMT -5
'to make a home for every single molecule'
I love it.
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hopehope
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815 
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Post by hopehope on Mar 8, 2010 21:40:18 GMT -5
whoo-hoo!
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Post by mellowyellow on Mar 8, 2010 21:50:23 GMT -5
Love the labels. Have no shame. An awful lot of us use them, for work, for children, for the grown-up children in all of us. Out of sight, out of mind for me, so labels are infinitely helpful.  Oh yeah... and good one on being prepared and not panicking! |
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Post by Butterfly on Mar 9, 2010 0:19:37 GMT -5
Congratulations on your maintained success Lorraine! Your story is very inspirational.
And, I think labeling things would help me tremendously. So, thanks to all who've reinforced this idea!
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