My best advice for people with lots of stuff is to think about crap you don't want before agonizing over what you would like to keep.

This is the Marie Kondo method - start with the stuff that has the least emotional significance and build up to the really hard stuff.

Sophia, it sounds like you are on the right track and I hope your landlord can see how hard you are trying to turn things around!

Askye, your stylists' excuses are ridic. Cutting your hair the way you wear it is LITERALLY THE JOB! (And also, the asymmetrical undercut pixie cut is incredibly popular right now. Any working stylist should know how to do one.)

Sophia, getting therapy and arranging to get help with cleaning is exactly the right thing to do now, and I commend you for being willing to deal with the problem, which not everyone is able to do. I hope your landlord will be understanding and let you stay with the promise to clean the apartment.

Sophia, that must have been really difficult to post here. I am so glad you were able to come out to us, and I am glad you're in therapy.

It sounds like you're tackling things head on. I hope your landlord recognizes the work you are doing, and I wish you the strength you need to see this through.

I'm so sorry you're going through that, Sophia. Wish I was closer and could help you out. Like everyone said, it sounds like you're doing the right things and I hope, if it's necessary, your therapist can talk to your landlord. Also, maybe your therapist can connect you to resources? I don't think this is a job you should do all on your own.

Oh, Sophia, that sounds really hard. And I agree with everyone else that you are taking all the important right steps! I hope you can tell Maria at some point -- I know you've been a great support to her, and hope she would want to return the favor.

Don't run away.

Timelies all!

I'm sorry things are so hard, Sophia.

Yikes Sophia. I hope the plans you have in place are helpful to you.

Sophia, I was there at one point. I'm glad you're getting help and have a plan. Try not to beat yourself up to much. You can't change the past.

Sophia, I echo that it was really brave for you to post and good for you for doing so. Making a plan and being in therapy sounds like you are on the right path. Hiring professionals is excellent.

I also hope that you can share this with Maria at some point.

If there is anything we all can do virtually, please let us know.

Sophia I know it must have been really hard to tell us this. I'm glad you did.

I am not a hoarder but I struggle with keeping things clean. I realized a few years ago I can't live by myself because the house work, and work, and everything else is too much.

Give yourself permission to throw things away if it gets too much to deal with deciding to donate or trash. You'll have professionals so that will help. I've been trying to clean up and had piles of dirty dishes /storage containers and I just started throwing things away. Environmentally unfriendly but it is what I could do.