Ron I had a great excuse 2 years ago, I relocated to Tampa. We got a dumpster and just about everything that we had not used in 2 years or that was "winter" specific, was thrown in. I also told everyone I knew to come over and take what they wanted. Now in the new house I did not refurnish with any "dust collectors" (i.e. shelving, desks, etc.) to hide clutter or other "stuff". I found that helped me so much here. If it has to be out in the open, I tend to do something with it or throw it away. I'm living a minimalistic life :) Carol
hi Cathy! your mom was very wise! ithanks for the input, i do the walk thru too but its for safety- doors locked, stove off etc etc, tc
Cathy said:
Hi Ron. Since my annie I suppose I am blessed that I cannot stand "clutter". If I have to look at it, it boggles my brain.
Moltroub is so right when he says to work in 15-30 minute increments. Any task I need to do requires several "rest" periods. A 10-minute rest every 30 min is critical to my being able to complete what I set out to do. Otherwise the fatigue sets in and I am not going to do a good job at what I had planned to do! That said, don't worry if it takes a little longer than usual.
My mom always likes to go thru each room in her place to give it a "once over" before she goes to bed each night. That way she doesn't wake up in the morning to a coffee cup here, a jacket there! Wish I was more like my mom!
lol, luv it!, tc
Chloe said:
I never made the connection between my clipping surgery and my clutter problem! Now I'll tell my husband that's my excuse :)
Carol said:
Moltroub, I totally agree, sometimes I get a bit OCD without being OCD if you understand what I mean. It helps to bring some structure to a life that sometimes feels out of control. Like when you said it is easier to work counterclockwise. Structure and balance helps the brain keep things organized. When I cannot keep up with something or I'm doing something in a wacky way at home I just point to my brain and my husband smiles. Carol
Moltroub said:Great idea Sarge! Count me in!
And to answer Booty64, yes this can be attributed to aneurysms and perhaps more specifically to ruptures. The little buggers can affect cognitive skills and organizational ability is certainly one of those. Think of it as a type of aphasia...although it doesn't come out in speech, it does exhibit itself in the way our brain is processing. It also may be a sign of hoarding which would be representative of some members wanting to hang on to "stuff" that reminds them of their lives pre rupture. Or depression....thanks Moltroub, you are so right!! tc, oh whoever questioned this about being b/a related must be doing a lot better than me! or must not be a clutterbug or is in clutterbug denial!-lol- ron xoxo
wow thank you everyone!! it sure is nice to know i am not alone and to get the tips, ok i need a box for summer clothes i procrastinated putting away!-lol At first no one replied and i thought wow no one wants to own up to clutter!! then today i see 2 pages! you are all awesome! tc xoxo
Booty64 said:
Is this really about Aneurysm's? Really?
yes
Ronk, don't get me started and my annie's didn''t ruptured, just "bulged" into optic nerve, so no seeing out of that eye, then when finally muscle started working, double and blurred vision.
It just take time for our brains and eye, etc. to heal. In the meantime we rest and do the best we can to return to our new "normal". Yes how any clothes do we really need, I mean I live in North East, that's 4 seasons of clothes and today is 7 or so inches of that white stuff and that means blizzard clothes. I do better with papers; as someone said shred, shred and more shred. Little by little it does get done. Best of luck guys.
I agree…is this really about aneurysms!!! Sheesh
You must live in New England 
I was not a clutter bug before my Annie. I wasn't meticulous; but now, it's almost impossible to conquer. I'm grabbing a trash bag and starting some clean out tomorrow, who's with me? Post your progress here...good luck!
Amy Van Patten Ofenbeck said:
I agree...is this really about aneurysms???!! Sheesh
I took a bag of clothes to ECCM today! Thanks to Ron and everyone else for the inspiration,
and yes flylady is free…it’s a big help, it’s where I go the idea to start at the door…
Moltroub said:
I took a bag of clothes to ECCM today! Thanks to Ron and everyone else for the inspiration,
and yes flylady is free....it's a big help, it's where I go the idea to start at the door...
thanks moltroub! and remember as we talked it was YOU who inspired me to post this, thank you thankyou!!
Moltroub said:I took a bag of clothes to ECCM today! Thanks to Ron and everyone else for the inspiration,
and yes flylady is free....it's a big help, it's where I go the idea to start at the door...
the thing is important stuff gets lost and then i go crazy tryin to find it!!!! causing more stress and unrest which is counterproductive etc etc etc Hey Moltroub we should post that webinar here!! tc xoxo
awesome Sarge, i am with you!! thank you for the inspiration as we get back on track!! tc xoxo
Sarge said:
I was not a clutter bug before my Annie. I wasn't meticulous; but now, it's almost impossible to conquer. I'm grabbing a trash bag and starting some clean out tomorrow, who's with me? Post your progress here...good luck!
Amy Van Patten Ofenbeck said:I agree...is this really about aneurysms???!! Sheesh
exactly right! Moltroub! and yes doorway counterclockwise is a great idea, thanks for the inspiration as we try to make our lives easier in this very difficult post b/a avm stroke world, tc
Moltroub said:
Ron, it seems I do clutter easily now. I also seem to be easily overwhelmed with where to put the junk. I have been working on getting rid of clothes I no longer need. I've been starting one room at a time and going counterclockwise, seems to be easier for me than clockwise, don't know why. Also I start at the doorway. I have found it helps if everyone else is helping to pick up after themselves. I work in 15-30 minute increments. I wrote a goal down for how many clothes I actually need. We live in an older home built in the 30's and closet space is practically non existent.
Another thing is im going to build a false bottom in the closet to store shoes and chuck the old ones i dont wear! tc!
and to those who dont think my post is appropriate, it is for me! thats why i put it in personal stories category. Even if it is off base thats ok we do it all here in discussion forum as long as it abides by the rules, I've discussed many things here in my 4 yrs ie weather, safety, music, hobbies etc etc, go with the flow! its all related to the b/a aftermath rehab, tc
wow Sally thank you!! that is awesome! i love the clean sink start, i just had to get a new faucet and the old one was gross! sink could probably use it! Did you know their are more germs in the kitchen sink than your toilet? at least thats what i read somewhere, tc!
Sally Chewter said:
Ronk, I had the same problem when I came out of hospital. I found this - it's what you need and, if you receive and follow the free emails, it's ALL you need! I promise. Worked for me: http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/