Something to ponder when you THINK your house is messier than anyone could understand:
Once upon a time (2001) in New Zealand, a woman named Jo Yellowlees went onto the internet and told the world the truth about what she called the "squalor" of her home, believing it might help someone else. She said, in part:
"I spend much time and energy trying to hide the true state of my house - clutter and mess - from people. Squalor is a confronting word. It's a degree of mess that goes beyond untidiness. The state of the house deteriorates, small piles become big piles, then even bigger piles. Sometimes beds can't be slept in, tables disappear under clutter. You go to great lengths to conceal your living conditions. It's a very draining, stressful way to live. Keeping your mess a secret is tiring. Every interaction with another person is a chance you'll get found out."
Jo slowly managed to pull her home up out of that state. Many others posted back to her to say they faced the same problem, and that she had inspired them to change their lives, too. Her site, Squalor Survivors, was closed in 2008, but for 7 years Jo's tell-it-like-it-is, tough-love thoughts helped people all over the world reclaim decent, livable homes.
One strong passage Jo posted was this one. Even though it's so honest it stings, I think it speaks to the way we feel about each other here in The Decluttered Home forum, and how we hope our own continuing struggles say to others - btdt, and we understand.
If you are faced with cleaning up years of hoarded clutter, you are almost certainly feeling overwhelmed and asking, "Where do I start?" Maybe you feel like you're the worst housekeeper ever.
You're not the first person to struggle with this. Squalor has been beaten, and some who preceded you on this journey want to help those who follow on the path to freedom from squalor. It's not an easy cruise, but it's worth it. We won't judge you, the person living in squalor. Being a bad housekeeper doesn't make you a bad person. I'm not saying living in squalor is okay. We come to bury squalor, not to praise her. You deserve better than to live in squalor.