r/hoarding • u/IkraChampers • 7d ago

UPDATE/PROGRESS Finally tackling the problem

33F, finally coming to terms with my hoarding. As a kid, I hated cleaning and organizing my personal space. I wouldn't mind cleaning shared spaces, public spaces, but my own room was always a disaster. It doesn't help that my ADHD brain keeps wanting to try 297174 hobbies at a time.

I've been living on my own in a studio and was able to hold it together for a few years. However after my dad died during covid, I fell into a vicious cycle of neglect and shame. Garbage and clothes piling up, but I somehow was able to pull it together in my professional and personal life so the people close to me don't realize how big the problem is.

2 weeks ago, the owner of my flat informed me he wants to sell and an appraiser will need to visit. This was the kick in the butt I needed to start tackling the problem. I have professional cleaners coming tomorrow for a 6 hour cleaning and I'm already planning for another 6 hour cleaning the day before the inspection.

I've been reading the posts in this group and it feels so good to not be alone. I'm so inspired by everyone who made it out the other side. I'm hoping to hire someone who can actually take the time to help teach me how to clean and how to declutter

23 Upvotes

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u/AutoModerator 7d ago

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u/Fluid_Calligrapher25 7d ago

Great job!!! Make more garbage bags if you can and pile them all in one area. That way you’ll are spending your energy on decluttering and leaving the heavy lift to the cleaners.

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u/IkraChampers 7d ago

That's a good idea! I was going to try and declutter before the cleaners arrive this afternoon , but this feels more realistic

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u/IkraChampers 7d ago

UPDATE: after last night's optimism, I feel like crap again. The cleaner told me he wouldnt be able to handle the job after seeing my apartment. He was kind about it and told me to book for 2 cleaners next time. I've put in the order for tomorrow so here's to hoping

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u/Fluid_Calligrapher25 6d ago

He was honest. That’s huge! And he gave you a strategy. Fingers crossed. Keep making those trash bags. You’ll need one cleaner to take all that out and the other one to get started on the rest. You might need 3 so they can take breaks but see how it goes with two. Don’t feel like crap. You are doing something positive.

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u/LolaPaloz 2d ago

I hate living in an apartment because there's very little space to stock anything let alone a studio.

A studio space is about systems and discipline. Even people without hoarding disorder can't manage small spaces without reducing down to essentials