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Post by ramatama on Oct 15, 2008 13:55:13 GMT -5
Our place reached level 3 when we had pets. But even without the pet messes, it probably would still have been a level 3 because i would find excuses not to have anyone over. Many things were in disrepair and we had trouble walking around stuff in many rooms. Only very very close friends ( 3) and my inlaw family was permitted in. I couldn't stand the idea of not being able to invite anyone over so i worked like crazy over 5-6 days all by myself, sent DD and DH away for a week, used my holiday to get the public rooms to a level 0-0.5, and at most a 1. (I was at FlyLady then, but had also read several books on the subject. ) Then at a local FlyLady meeting someone told me about Squalor Survivors and i lurked for a while, then joined. The public rooms are still at that level 0 to 1, and the bathroom also. For a while, our study was also at a level 0, right after i had it painted but now that and the 2 other bedrooms hover at a level 2, albeit as i gradually give away things, it is better. I still cannot get over the "save just in case" mode, simply because many of those just in case times have come up. ( today, someone came over to do some PC update repair stuff- and found just the right cable in my "electrical stuff" box, plus two other things he said he could use!) I have lots of inherited messes now contained; from 45 boxes down to 17 or so... i have to still sort through, and will slowly... despite this, the paper piles are overwhelming. There are just so many other things to do that are always so much more important or interesting....sighhh and that includes reading this forum!
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Post by Sapphire on Oct 15, 2008 14:19:55 GMT -5
Wow, Ramatama!!! You did it in a week?!! That is true inspiration!! You've just given me enormous hope!!
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Oct 15, 2008 19:38:22 GMT -5
- If you haven't seen this, check out Kimmy's story and pictures. Kimmy's story from 2001: web.archive.org/web/20040815071304/http://juliemorgenstern.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000042.htmlKimmy's pictures: go here: www.squalorsurvivors.com/pictures/kimmy/index.shtmland click on "start picture show" Kimmy's follow-up message one year later: www.squalorsurvivors.com/pictures/kimmy/may20th2002.shtmlThe original Kimmy thread was on an old forum on JulieMorgenstern.com The results of that thread was the formation of the Squalor Survivors website. When I saw and read Kimmy's pictures and story, I knew there was hope for me.
Regarding the main Squalor Survivors website squalor scale at www.squalorsurvivors.com/squalor/measuring.shtml(This is the scale we use here at Stepping Out of Squalor) I was at Level 4. Yes I had biohazards. I suppose that now I alternate between a low level 2 and a high level 2 on most days. But I often slip back into Level 4 and have to pull myself back into recovery. I recovered, and so can anyone else reading.
For other scales, there is the NSGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization) clutter-hoarding scale here: www.nsgcd.org/resources/clutterhoardingscale/nsgcd_clutterhoardingscale.pdfThey have five levels numbered from Roman Numeral I to V. I was between II and III on that scale .. and now hover between I and II.
Then there is the clutter picture scale: It comes from the book: Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring workbook www.us.oup.com/us/companion.websites/0195310551/?view=usaThe picture scale can be found here: www.us.oup.com/us/companion.websites/umbrella/treatments/hidden/mforms/?view=usa&view=usaIt's hard to say where I would fall on thse picture scales ... I have had piles a mile high ... but none of them were on the floor. I guess I averaged a "5" out of "9" on the picture scale. I've always had clear floors because I have dogs. They chew anything left on the floor. So I keep everything piled high on shelves and counters and other furniture.
It's hard to really pigeonhole me. My clutter is organized in some places, non-existing in other places, and overwhelming in some parts of my home. There is one room so full it cannot be entered. Other rooms are fine. In 10 years, my cat has always used his litterbox, except for one 2-week period when he was ill. I don't scoop or change the litterbox very often, but he doesn't mind. He always uses it anyhow. The vet says my kitty is very healthy. My dogs have never urinated or defecated inside the house. Except that once, when there was an earthquake, one of them peed on the kitchen floor due to fear. I felt that was understandable. However, I am bad about picking up dog poop from the backyard. Now I hire somebody to do that for me. Yet, I cannot seem to care for my own bathroom. I'm much better than I used to be. I don't know. But ... I have made considerable progress in the 2 1/2 years since I've been around Squalor Survivors. Most of my progress has been internal. Releasing the squalor from my mind. My home was "company ready" for several months this year (except for the back room of doom). Now it's a mess again ... but a much more easily recoverable mess. It's not overwhelming anymore. And I could make it "company ready" in a couple of days. Of course.... my definition of 'company ready' might be a high level one on the Squalor Survivors scale. I'm not very fussy. -
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Post by crazycatlady on Oct 18, 2008 18:36:30 GMT -5
I think that it is just so brave for people to fess up about their levels of squalor! I would have to say that I started in level two, although I wasn't aware at the time. Some things like areas of the cupboards, or the loveseat, had been covered with stuff for so long that I really didn't know that we didn't have the use of them until I dug them out. Then it was kinda weird....wow, everyone can sit in a chair/loveseat/couch, rather than on the floor! And I started to cook a lot more...its so much more fun with clean counter space and an empty sink! The kids started playing board games, and with other toys more as our living room floor got bigger (when the piles began to disappear!) Just a few weeks ago I finally got all the stuff off the fooze ball table.
I still have a storage room that I haven't been in for years that needs to be decluttered, but most of the house is very livable thanks to a housekeeper who comes to visit every two weeks. However, she does not clean in my bedroom due to dh's paranoia. Last night I found two maggoty looking things in the dogs empty water bowl back there! And about a week ago I had major stinkum in my bedroom from my anniversary roses...the water had gotten very nasty from my neglect! So although I feel like a recovered squaloree because I have made so much progress, I guess it is still a struggle sometimes!
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Post by drivermom on Oct 19, 2008 12:13:41 GMT -5
At my worst point, I was a very high 3. Alot of animal feces in places. the kids room was stacked high with junk, you could hardly open the door. Kitchen was horrible.
Now I have gotten rid of alot of junk, things are better but I still have areas of level 3 due to cats crapping in certain areas and I have to clean it up. My downstairs I really only use for laundry, there is cat crap down there too. I have to get that cleaned up. Other wise the places there isn't cat crap, I'm in a level 2. I have alot of clothes I need to wash and figure out that to do with. If that stuff was taken care of, I would probably be in a level one. Just various piles of stuff to take care of.
Also, a couple of years ago, some people from my church came over and helped me clean up my highly level 3. We had to rip out alot of my carpet as it was just too bad with cat pee. I still just have sub-floor with a ugly remnant down in the living room. I HATE it but I can't afford to replace it at this time. I still have painting to do and some other minor repairs to the inside. I need to finish replacing bad siding and paint the outside of my house.
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Post by Moodle on Oct 20, 2008 1:47:47 GMT -5
Oh, High Three for sure (makes me cringe to think about it) due to plumbing problems, electrical problems, elderly pets, divorce, grad school, working more than full time, depression, and OC thought processes (however they are defined), all occurring at once and over an extended time period. No way that I would have let plumbers/repairmen in and no money to pay them even if I had entertained the thought. TREMENDOUS thanks to those who stood by me and gave me loving hugs and swift kicks during that awful, awful period. I will never forget being at such a low point and how powerful the wisdom of SS sibs was for me. Wow....lots of people to thank for where I am now. Lots of hugs for those who are at that low point NOW....I completely understand your plight and fears and so do many other great folks at SOS. You are sooo not alone!! (ETA: This is a great thread...thank you, Sapphire, for starting it. )
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Post by Sapphire on Oct 20, 2008 12:09:31 GMT -5
(ETA: This is a great thread...thank you, Sapphire, for starting it. ) You're welcome! I have really enjoyed reading people's responses. And I've found it really helpful.
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Post by hypatia on Oct 20, 2008 14:11:24 GMT -5
Right now my living room and bedroom are about a 1. Just a week or so ago we took a weekend and got the bedroom from a high 2 down to a 1 (still lots of laundry left), and I enjoy it so much more now!
Ironically our garage, which used to be a high 2 to a low 3, has been at a 0 for the last few months.
The rest of the house is pretty much a 2, with occasional forays into 3 due to a sick kitty and kids who leave food in places that I don't find until much later.
I would love to just be able to pause real life for about a day and catch up on laundry. When my mom visited recently, she offered to take all of our laundry to a laundromat and have it done but I was too embarrassed to take her up on the offer. Now I wish that I had.
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Post by mouse on Oct 20, 2008 16:33:08 GMT -5
Well, since you asked, here's my answer. I am not a hoarder. I just don't like cleaning, and I'm really good at procrastinating. Also, based on the definition given by CourageouslyLion_SeeksSerenity, I am also demand-resistant. Combine this with an erratic work schedule, and you have the perfect recipe for squalor. When I first came to Squalor Survivors (the old board), I was at a solid Level 3. My dining room, in which I kept the cat pans, was overflowing with cat poop and pee. To this day, I am still paying the price for that, as I now have to replace the hardwood floor in that room. The other rooms in my home were messy, but by no means unmanageable. I could usually straighten out any of those rooms inside of an hour. The problem was that the dining room invariably paralyzed me for any kind of housework at all. I always felt that it should be my priority, and I just couldn't bring myself to start on it at all. So the other rooms would spiral out of control with dust, dirt, and accumulated papers and stuff. Occasionally I would forget a plate or another dish somewhere, and that would contribute to the mess. Right now I am at Level 1 in my new home. I moved about six weeks ago, and work has kept me busy enough that I haven't been able to fully unpack. I am keeping on top of the cat litter, although I have one cat who likes to poop in the bathtub. I don't know why. Anyway, that's motivating enough to make me keep things cleaner than before. I rinse out the tub every day, and try to scoop the pans at the same time. I also keep the cat pans in the bathroom, which is easier to clean and eliminates the risk of ruining another floor. The rest of the place is clean, though filled with boxes. I hope to have everything completely unpacked by the end of this week, since I have several days off in which to do it. Level 0 squalor or bust! ~Mouse
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No More Squalor
New Member
Breaking my dirty habits once and for all...
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 34
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Post by No More Squalor on Oct 21, 2008 5:56:32 GMT -5
At my worst, I was a severe level 3. There were rooms I could barely enter, much less cross; there were windows I could not open (or fully shut) because I could not reach them; the downstairs bath, basement, and kitchen had cat feces outside of the litterboxes; there was cat vomit and urine in various places throughout the house; and I had appliances and plumbing fixtures that didn't work because I was too anxious and embarrassed about the mess to let repairmen into the house. The problem was made even worse because I had no trash or recycling pickup (it was cut off when I couldn't pay the bill at one point, and for who-knows-what-reason never resumed the service even after I could). The funny thing was that even though I had utterly foul catboxes and related filth that made the house reek to high heaven, I didn't have rotting food messes anywhere except the kitchen. My fridge was always full of rotting things, and I'd end up with dirty dishes stacked high on the counters before I got around to washing them. The oven was often full of dirty pans, and I had one stockpot full of some food that had gone bad. It was so foul I didn't want to take the lid off to empty and clean it, so it sat on the kitchen floor with the lid on it for two years. I hoarded books, fabric, clothing (bought at thrift stores because it was a" bargain"), magazines, art supplies, and cast-off furniture and interesting odds and ends that I found on the street and took home, thinking that I would refinish/reupholster/find a good use for them. I also started to get into borderline-hoarding behavior with cats. At one time, I had seven of them. Fortunately, I realized that seven cats is a hell of a lot of cats, and that getting any more would be inadvisable. One died a year ago, another is not long for this world, and I have no desire to replace them. Someday, I will be back down to a nice number like two or three, and I look forward to that day. I'm cured of Crazy Cat Lady-itis. The one working tub/shower drained slowly and defied my attempts to unclog it, so mildew and soap scum buildup were big problems. For the last five years I lived in that house, I had to flush one toilet by lifting the lid of the tank and reaching in to pull up the rubber stopper. My stove had only one working burner, and the oven's thermostat was broken, rendering it near-useless. When I moved out of that house four years ago, I swore things would change, and for a while they did. I divested myself of a huge amount of junk, and that helped enormously. But I didn't get rid of enough and I didn't change my behavior, so now I'm at level 2 again. Having regular trash and recycling pickup means I'm nowhere near as bad as I could be just yet, but due to the cats some parts of the house have gone into level 3 on a consistent basis in the last year or so (though I cleaned up one of the worst spots yesterday). Having an old cat with advanced renal failure doesn't help, even though I know she won't be around much longer. And I'm definitely back into the anxiety and avoidant behavior as far as having anyone come into the house is concerned. The last time anyone entered my house was in May or June of '07. This is a big problem, because I've been having problems with my water heater for almost a year now and it desperately needs repair, but the thought of calling someone in fills me with dread. This has got to stop. Which is why I'm here. ..
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Post by Sapphire on Oct 21, 2008 6:22:10 GMT -5
Welcome Nomoresqualor!! Thanks for sharing your story. I hope you find the support you need here.
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