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.

Thank you for sharing that with us, Sophia. You do know that we love you no matter how much junk you've got.

Please don't hurt yourself or run away. Remember to breathe. It is hard to believe right now, but you will get through this crisis and still have a home for you and your kitty. It will work out.

You've already set things in motion and you've been working with your therapist.

Imagine living in a safe, lovely, spare space with your kitty. You can get there.

I do think you'd do well to have a roommate. It's definitely something to consider going forward.

The good news is - it's surprisingly easy to throw things away once you get going. You've got a dumpster coming. Fill it up. Let that stuff go. You will be surprised at how freeing it is.

We love you. We're don't care about your housekeeping or lack thereof, except that it's stressing you out now. Keep talking to us and updating us.