Procrastinators Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from chronic procrastination.

New to group: Hello and HELP!

Good Morning.

 I've been a member for 14 weeks 3 days and am just now posting an intro. *sigh*

 I am 34 years old, a single professional mom of a 9 year old, and am at my wit's end with myself. My daughter has learned all of my worst habits - and we live in a state of perpetual de-cluttering; maneuvering around boxes, clutter and cat fur (because it's impossible to vacuum around the clutter).

 I can't let GO of my clutter. I am a packrat. We live in C.H.A.O.S. (For anyone who knows Flylady, that stands for Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). I cannot be creative because I cannot find any of my art or sewing supplies, and if I do locate what I want I have nowhere to work. I also have a huge backlog of To-Do's and therefore I cannot be creative because of all the guilt.

 I've been unsuccessful at my many attempts to get my poop in a group: Flylady, books, mom, etc. I suffer from depression - and am medicated. I function fairly well, and do have spurts where I get things 'almost' done. (Like housecleaning, for example). I know I am going about things in the wrong way; the all-or-nothingness of my perfectionism is choking me to death. I am sad and embarrassed for my daughter. I just cannot stay focused when I try to rid myself of cluttery baggage. I end up re-organizing it instead of ridding myself of it for good. I got rid of two truckfuls when we moved (First week of June) and we're still tripping over boxes and piles of crap that i can't find a home for yet cannot let go of.

 Since I am at work, and I am just putting off my work by typing this (OH, I could go on and ON but I am sure you know exactly where I am coming from), I will cut this short and say "thanks for being here" and I need help but don't even know where to begin. I printed the "Motivation Follows Action" sticky and will try to work on this today.

k

Hi and Welcome

Glad that you have found us here. Fly Lady says jump in where you are at. I am in the process of deculttering my home and I have the very same feelings that you have, except that I have a DS and a DD who are picking up on my bad habits.

I am also a crafter and I have so many projects that I would love to work on but I can not put my hands on all of my stuff. Humm if I need something it is easier to go out and buy it again then it is to try and find it. (I have stopped doing that)

So welcome and look forward to decluttering our homes together. We can share are progress together.

You can do anything for 15 min.

hope-faith

welcome

I can relate to all you say. I think it is more difficult to deal with clutter and a backlog of things to be done when one is a single parent. This site is quite helpful. Try to remember what my mother always used to say to me when I was stuck: "the right action creates the right mood"....since if we wait for the right mood to "feel like" doing what needs to be done, it will rarely, if ever, come.

Hang in there!

rec

Welcome

You took your first step which is the hardest. Remember to bring the body and the mind will follow. We are all equal here, searching for answers so we can live freely.

I was led t this site during a crisis episode with completing a pathetic portion of the taxes. I never experienced the kind of understanding and support I found here. If this program could help me, it could help anybody who has a desire to stop living like this.

Thanks for sharing, I know it must have been difficult, just keep coming back. Vic

Hey froshus, we're glad you're here!

just a quick thought, cause of course I should be doing other things right now:

 Your story reminds me very much of my own, the choas, the clutter, etc. I've been diagnosed with adult ADHS half a year ago, when I was 35 ... and this was a big revelation to me. Suddenly it all made sense. I've had a few years of psychoanalysis and behavioral therapy before that, and none of those shrinks ever got it right. After this ADHS diagnosis I've read a few books on it, and my whole life's "tragedy" was written in those books, starting when I was 13 years old and my first problems in school started.

 Please keep coming back, this felowship helps me a lot.

Constance 

-------------------------------------

says "sorry for my silly English, not a native speaker here :-) "

"Failing to plan is planning to fail"

&n

hi fr0shus!

i have been a member for quite a while now - since around Feb i think and I never did post an intro, lol - so you've got me beat!

I can relate to so much of what you said and will also be stealing your "poop in a group" line as I have a lot still to group myself :)

Perfectionism is my root issue also and I am slowly seeing progress not perfection in uprooting it - so glad you are here! You are courageous and as bad as you feel about the things your daughter sees, she will also learn compassion and understanding for people overcoming. She will see the inspiration of your work on your recovery and be there to celebrate with you in it! I have a 4 yo and even at that age some of our best and most real moments are often in my weakness when I apologize or let her see me fail and keep trying in something.

motivation follows action, progress not perfection -

and my newest one... DONE is better than perfect!

and a tip about pet hair

My clutter is much better, but a fair amount remains in the corners, which is where the fuzzballs pile up.  They get pretty bad - in fact my husband tried using them for fly-tying materials but cat hair doesn't float.

My dust-buster (handi-vac/whatever brand) is my new best friend!  It's easier than swiffing or sweeping around the piles, and it's less dangerous than the floor vac. If something gets sucked up, retrieving it is a cinch.

'Course, I look sorta silly running around bent over running the hand-vac across the floor ... but "easy does it" works for me!

poop in a group! lol

I love that phrase!   I am going to borrow it frequently! :grin:

"The elevator to success is out of order.   You'll have to take the stairs . . . one step at a time." - Joe Girard

Oh, yes

One other thing

 

Progress NOT prefection 

Hello

I can't say I am cured but the site has helped me in the past few months

Welcome fr0shus!

Sounds like you're in the right place.  Many of us were in similar straits when we found this site, and I think I have you beat for procrastinating getting started in PA :-) - I was a "member" for more than a year before I began posting!   Here are a couple tips tha helped me get started:

  • Many of us find that it helps to post on the daily forum a few things I want to do today, then either edit or reply to our own post to celebrate our successes. 
  • The "microburst" idea http://procrastinators-anonymous.org/node/1584 really helps to get unstuck.
  • The clutter in my home was truly terrifying at one time. Now, it's actually quite livable. Early on I read here about Clutterers Anonymous, which I used at first along with PA to create some space for my long-term recovery: http://sites.google.com/site/clutterersanonymous/Home?pli=1

Hope these tips are helpful, fr0shus...take what you like, leave the rest, and post again soon.  We've definitely noticed that those who post a second time within the first couple of days, tend to stick long enough to enjoy some success here. Thanks for sharing the recovery road with us!

Hello and welcome home!   I

Hello and welcome home!

 

I love this forum, I am also new in here. Smile

 

In recovery

Elina 

 

When I look into the future, it is so bright it burns my eyes ~ Oprah Windfrey

Welcome Elina and K!

Welcome Elina and K!

 Welcome to the forum.  K, I totally understand where you're coming from, we all do.  You're perfectly right in noting that motivation follows action, so just take it one step at a time.  I too have problems with demanding perfection, and it's a tough thing to get over.  But I'm working on it and I have faith that I'll be able to do it, and so will you!

 We're here to support you!  Keep coming back.