I just need to vent really.

Jox

Hi Razwaz, I was just searching for thyroid related posts and found this thread. My hubby has depression and we're wondering if it's to do with his thyroid but not sure what to do now, he's been to his gp so many times for various problems he doesn't want to ask for thyroid testing now!
I used to advertise my services on gumtree as a declutterer and found it fulfilling to help others clear out rooms and get their houses under control. I gave it up because I am also working full time and it was tiring me out!
It sounds like you need some help with this and once they make a start I'm sure you'll feel more hopeful.
Good luck with managing your health as well, I hope things get better.
I'm deaf in one ear and find social situations difficult so prefer one to one meetings in very quiet places!
Good for you tackling the problem of the clutter and i hope it makes all the difference for you

RazWaz

Well the cleaners turned up yesterday for 5 hours, and another 5 hours today.

We got my bedroom completely clear and tidy, rearranged the furniture and threw out any old stuff. Started on the living room, but then the 5 hours were up so they left. Started up again on the living room today and finished it, then started on the dreaded back bedroom.

Boxes and boxes and boxes of stuff had just been piled up on top of each other, with more stuff thrown on that, but we picked out the boxes, I said what I wanted to keep, what to throw, and what could be donated.

The back room needs a little more work, but it's clear enough for now. I have not got very much furniture/storage, so I'm going to IKEA this weekend, and got my dad, uncle and boyfriend coming to put it all up for me.
I'm buying some of these as well as a few bookshelves (I have a lot of books). I already bought the small boxes that fit inside that unit so everything has been tided and sorted into them so they can be put away.

Cleaners are coming back next Monday after the furniture is in to do a final tidy up and scrub everything clean, and then the kitties move in

I'm going to have a busy few days, but I'm really motivated by how good it looks already to finish the job and see how it will look when finished I have a couple of before photos, and I can show you the after

When it's all finished next Monday, my twice weekly top up visits will start, with a Cleaner coming round every Friday and Tuesday. £35 a week, but I get £70 DLA and that's what it's for really

RazWaz

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Do you find your deafness a barrier to making friends? If so, there might be groups local to you specifically for deaf people that have a social aspect to them.

Yes I feel it really does make things hard. When you can't use a phone it's pretty easy to get left out of things. In group situations I just can't follow everything that's going on and end up sitting in the corner silently.

I'm going to start looking for social groups to go, but I'm trying to talk my boyfriend into taking me as I'm a bit scared to go alone.

rosierosierosie wrote: »

Hi RazWaz,

It sounds like you've had a really tough time of things, good for you for pulling through and coming out better through the other side! It' certainly inspiring to others dealing with issues of their own.

With regards to the clutter in your house - I understand that it can be a drain and certainly overwhelming with such a large task to tackle by yourself. Have you thought about maybe asking friends/family for help? You could even pull a "Mary Poppins" and make a game out of it - put on some music, make a pot of tea and start shifting!

Alternatively, some volunteer groups may be able to help. As you're recovering from an illness and operation, I don't see why anyone would object to you getting help in. Some people use the hashtag #wewillgather on Twitter when they want to gather groups of people for volunteering opportunities to do some good. That might be worth looking into?

I really hope you manage to get the flat in ship-shape soon ready for the arrival of your new fluffy friends!

Good luck

While that is a nice suggestion, and will probably help someone, I feel guilty taking things like this when I can afford it. I might be on benefits, but I budget carefully and try not to waste money, and through this managed to start a small savings pot. I think this is something well worth paying for as it would do me so much good.

The other reason for wanting to pay is guilt. I feel horrible just sitting around while people work, even though I'm simply not capable of joining in. At least if I am paying people then I'm not taking advantage.

JimmyTheWig

RazWaz wrote: »

Yes I feel it really does make things hard. When you can't use a phone it's pretty easy to get left out of things. In group situations I just can't follow everything that's going on and end up sitting in the corner silently.

I can appreciate this. My nan has a hearing aid. In one-to-one conversations she is great, but when it comes to larger groups (particularly with lots of background noise) she can't keep up and ends up just sitting there.

I'm going to start looking for social groups to go, but I'm trying to talk my boyfriend into taking me as I'm a bit scared to go alone.

That sounds like a great idea.

Birdie85

I'm really glad to hear that you're already making such big changes, well done! It's lovely when you read a thread where someone has an issue and they actually take advice and use the support of the posters to follow through and do something about it! :T

I admire your attitude to your DLA too but try not to be bogged down by guilt too much. If you're too ill to work then you ought to be supported and no-one would begrudge you that, it's not like you're raking it in! That said, it's great that you're using the money for a cleaner as it is there to be used to help you in whatever way you need it, hope that this arrangement massively improves your standard of living.

I love Ikea shelving! I have the Billy system and have had it in 3 different houses in varying set-ups and it is still going strong and the best bit is that if I want to add to it, I can do so with ease and not at massive expense!

Lieja, I have anxiety problems and I have to say that when my home was full of clutter (my spare room was a war zone! ) it had a very negative affect on my mood and I just couldn't bring myself to deal with it, I was stuck in a vicious circle! If you can get help to get rid of the stuff, please do as it will make you feel so much better. Read through the thread and note down your favourite tips and show them to your OH with a timescale in which you want his stuff to be sorted out by. Now that my DH and I have sorted out our flat and the clutter is down to a minimum I feel so much clearer headed when I'm at home, and the fact that there's a place for everything and no junk areas in which to throw stuff that I can't be bothered putting away properly means I actually take the time to put things back where they belong so we don't get back to the habit of piling up rubbish here, there and everywhere and I love living in an ordered home where I can see the floor!

Oh and everyone should have a label maker! Makes organising much more fun!

RazWaz

Well, after the cleaners did 10 hours last week, my Dad came to stay for the weekend. We went off to ikea and got some new storage units and he built them all for me along with moving some furniture around.

I've ended up spending almost £1,000 but it's well worth it for what I have, my kitchen is gleaming, there is a kitten feeding area in the corner, a living room with a completely clear floor, lots of space to run around and play in, a desk for both myself and my boyfriend, a new bed big enough for the kittens as well as OH and myself, and a new bedroom that is totally transformed.

The back bedroom isn't finished yet, but it's very very close - it just needs a few trips to the tip to get rid of some old stuff, and I have a stack of stuff ready to go on freecycle.

I'm so so so happy with how this has all turned out, and thank you all so much for giving me the drive to get it all done. I'm cuddled up on the sofa with two beautiful kittens in my lovely new light, bright and clean flat, watching QI on my brand new entertainment centre

Life is good, and that's the first time I've said that in 5 years.

RazWaz

Also this Friday I start having my regular cleaner come to help make sure I can stay on top of the work and keep things this way. They will be coming every Friday for 2 hours, and every Tuesday for 1 hour as a top up.

I feel like I've taken a huge huge step forward, and now that I've got such a big place for them to play in, I've been offered another kitten (the only moggie from a pedigree litter) who doesn't have a home as no one wants him, and I've already fallen in love. His name is Dante and he comes home with me in 10 days!

So no, I guess life isn't good, it's GREAT

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Sounds great - when can I move in?

RazWaz

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

Sounds great - when can I move in?

When you grow fur and learn to meow :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Erinnire

Was having a bit of a crappy day until I caught up with this thread So pleased things have taken such a good turn what bits of furniture did you get from Ikea? I am after the expedit entertainment centre at the moment when I can afford it.