[ptangptang]

Following on from another idea on here about buddies, How about 'motivation buddies'. People that know me on here probably know about the state of my house and of the kitchen, which i usually refer to as 'the war zone'. Well since yesterday it now looks like a crime scene off of CSI. I managed to knock over a new, big, full bottle of Worcester Sauce and send it crashing to the floor. OMG!!! Thats it i've had enough. That's given me the motivation to start clearing it up. But thinking about it, isnt it always more interesting to help clear up other peoples mess than your own plus you get the satisfaction of helping somebody who just needs someone to give em a push into starting the big clear up. My idea is that if 2 people live within a reasonable distance of one another ( i live in the UK in Essex so could do Essex and London) that for 1 or 2 days- person 1 helps get person 2 get started clearing up and then, maybe a few weeks later person 2 helps person 1 do the same thing). Giving someone a nudge and motivation to get started may be all that is needed. Not sure if it would work but hey lets throw it around and see what happens.

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

Sounds like a good idea, but there's safety stuff that basically makes that a mess of complications, especially if that were ... uhm ... thingied by PC. (can't remember the word) Tell you what, though, you should go to a hoarder's support group, if you have any nearby; that may be something for which they'd cater. Are there any organisations nearby that offer that sort of regular support? I think there's something like that in the UK. Look into Mind, Talking Space, any community mental health organisations, anything. As for support groups, just Google support groups, plus, for whatever you're looking, plus, the location; it's how I found and accessed a lot of the help I now get. "near London", eh? xD I'm in the Oxfordshire area, but, vague as that is, I daren't be more specific.

[ptangptang]

Thanks for responding Akuma, at least somebody did. Er not really sure what you're saying. If 2 people want to swap addresses and arrange to help each other i'm not sure what that would have to do with PC. Im assuming by 'safety stuff' you mean PC wouldn't give out peoples addresses. I hope they wouldn't but they wouldn't need to would they. I'm not exactly a hoarder ( at least i would say not) hoarders have quite specific mental problems and i would say that because of low motivation ive let the house get into a bit of a state but thanks anyway for your suggestions. I jusy believe in a practical approach to things if possible. I'm sure therapy does work for some people but could also prolong and possibly make things worse. I'm no expert, it's just a hunch. What are you afraid of by somebody identifying where you are?

[ptangptang]

If you lived closer i'd be prepared to help you in whatever way i could. Hoarding and help with cleaning could just be one of the ways to help someone

[Ladyzero]

Ooh, how I empathise. My war zone is my bedroom. Where I spend day after day in bed. The floor is littered with magazines, I'm addicted to them and buy 4 say, every few days. There are months' worth on the floor. Empty bottles, my only treat, a bottle of wine fairly often, a few vodkas. But to look at my floor, it looks like I'm a raging alcoholic ! I'm not. There's too many to put in the recycle bin for collection. I am now starting to put them out again, after months obviously, of just discarding them, in my room. It will take months to clear them, as it's only an every two week collection. I'd be mortally embarressed, and couldn't lift them, to put them out in one go. The neighbours would be shocked.
The mags too, would be heavy, to get to the recycle box. Or maybe that's an excuse ? Of course, a dozen a time, down the stairs, into the bin, would just take a few trips. Then there's the problem of lifting it all for collection. Not mentioning the months' worth of newspapers, and empty fag packets strewn. It is a tip. I know a few hours would clear the lot, but I'd be exhausted physically, and as you say motivation is severely lacking. It's easier, to stay in bed. Why bother ? So I don't. The rest of the house, is passable, and now I try to keep up with kitchen duties, as in~actually filling ! ~emptying ! the dishwasher, rather than pile up the sink. Which I did, 'til it was unbearable, and disgusting. Plates, and cups no longer litter my room, as they once did. So progress has been made. Someone here suggested, tackle a corner, of my room, at a time. So I MADE myself, everytime I went upstairs, I'd have bring down some bottles. I moved 8, and I won't say how many remain ! Tues is collection day, so a few more to be put in the bin, then must remember to put them out ! But hey, they will be gone ! That's my personal challenge, to be accomplished by Mon night ! Terrible to admit, but there it is. I'd love some motivational help, a kick up the rear, but would be far too embaressed to ask my one friend for help. Motivation may come hopefully, when my home hairdresser comes again, to do my hair. Not that'd she see my room, but imagine, if she were to ( highly unlikely !) open my door. The shame.
The rest of the place downstairs is o.k. I rarely use the rooms. So yes, dusty, needs a hoover (what's a hoover ?) but clutter free.

So, my 'BUDDY' suggestion to you. We obviously both have a war zone to conquer. A similar, lack of motivation. So, a 'virtual online' Buddy challenge ! I'm in the U.K. too, so our time zone is the same. So, the BUDDY challenge for today. Sat. We both start, maybe, at the same time, depending on your plans. I do nothing, planned, any day. We work 'together' say, for 2 hours on our own 'war zones'. We check in here, first, if you agree. We 'work together', knowing we each are motivating each other, and achieving something, the same goal.

Knowing, I share another thing, with people here, is comforting. Anyone else, who wanted to join the 2 hour, BUDDY~ EACH OTHER A~LONG~ATHON. Jump in !

Sorry, it was so long. I start writing, and can't stop.

I await, your thoughts on my 'Buddy challenge'.
Just an idea !

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

The previous poster's message sounds like good stuff!

The thing is, I'd find it very unlikely, for our safety, and their responsibility, that PC would condone handing out our phone numbers and home addresses, here. I know how you feel, though, because a few years back I said the same thing. As for safety, well, there's any number of whack-jobs out there, as I'm sure we all know. xD Also, you don't wanna let someone in your home, only for them to take advantage of you, by pocketing stuff, plus they could be violent towards you and all that jazz. :| I guess it's no different than meeting someone in person, with this regard. I suppose I'm just worried about you, and other folk like you, being taken for granted, or something. :| Maybe you could speak to DocJohn about it, and set up a separate forum on PC specifically for these buddy meat-ups? I love the idea, as I need it, myself, but I'm just worried about the possible repercussions. In the interest of fairness, the safety of the other person is also a thing, as much as I'm sure you're not a raving lunatic. Sorry to be so negative, but it's only 'cause I care!

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by ptangptang

...hoarders have quite specific mental problems...

elaborate please

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by Yoda

elaborate please

That sounded a bit brusque but i'm sure you didnt mean it that way but i found this
Hoarding disorder, or why refusing to throw anything away is all in the brain | Mail Online
Cant spare time now to read it fully but will later tc

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by ptangptang

That sounded a bit brusque but i'm sure you didnt mean it that way but i found this
Hoarding disorder, or why refusing to throw anything away is all in the brain | Mail Online
Cant spare time now to read it fully but will later tc

Didn't mean to be rude.

Thanks for posting that link. I am a hoarder. my mom and her mom were hoarders. I have talked to my pdoc and a former T about my hoarding as well as doing the TLC show. TLC assigned me a T and he was not familiar with hoarding and asked TLC for references so he could be a more effective T. None of that has really been of lasting use for my hoarding but I do belong to a community for people who hoard. I'll share that link with them. They are my main support. I would like to change but progress is slow.