REALITY strikes......

During last week's extended session (we lasted three hours instead of the planned four hours), JZ and I cleared out boxes and boxes of things that he had 'stored' in his living room.  His two sofas and the floor was covered in boxes that contained videotapes, CDs, books, clothes, kitchen items and the like.  We decided together that we would store the boxes of things that he wanted to keep in the spare room for now.  We worked really hard and were able to move all of the boxes from the floor and one sofa.  We also cleaned off JZ's coffee table....to uncover a beautiful wood coffee table with an elaborate tile top!!  JZ says that his end table near the other sofa is a matching piece....gorgeous.

JZ decided to discard several more boxes of videotapes.  This is a direct result of his therapist working with him to recognize that these things are not his 'friends' but rather simply clutter that is no longer useful to anybody.  JZ seemed truly pleased that we were able to discard 10-12 huge boxes in the community dumpster.  JZ seems to have turned a corner regarding his need to hang on to things.....

Though we were both exhausted, we both had great big smiles on our faces when we parted ways last week.  A great sense of accomplishment!!

Now, for today's session:  JZ and I had agreed to meet for a two-hour session today to continue the cleansing of the living room and dining room area.  When I arrived, JZ informed me that we needed to move some stuff around in the spare room so that a workman could get to the windows in that room on Friday.  We moved things around enough to allow room for the workman to fix the windows and put up new blinds.

REALITY:  JZ and I discussed at length the fact that we simply will have to DISCARD items in order to make this cleanup effort work.  JZ has so many canned goods and food items that we cannot fit everything into his kitchen cabinets and/or his extra storage cabinet in the kitchen.  We found yet two more huge boxes today filled with canned items.  No matter how much we re-organize things, there just is not enough room for all of his stuff.  JZ agreed.

Next week:  Identify and remove all items that JZ is comfortable with removing, including excess canned goods and foodstuffs.  JZ will donate these to a local homeless shelter.

Progress!!

JZ surprised me this week.  When I arrived at his home, he had done some un-cluttering on his own!!  This is the first time that JZ has taken this kind of step on his own.  His therapist is really helping him to get motivated to get things done regarding his hoarding behaviors.  JZ was obviously very proud of the fact that he had done some things on his own and seems more motivated to 'just get it done.' 

JZ and I agreed on a plan of action for next week's meeting:  we are meeting for four hours next week instead of the usual two hours and plan on de-cluttering the dining room and the living room areas.  JZ is really interested in entertaining friends at his home, and has been unable to do so for lack of seating and all of the clutter.

Woohoo!!

Delays, Delays, Delays....

JZ and I have not met again since the kitchen success.  Unfortunately, an emergency situation with another client prevented me from seeing JZ last week, and JZ cancelled for this week due to some other commitments. 

Commitment is probably a good word to start discussing....both JZ and I have to be committed to getting this done.  This is not easily accomplished, as we have limited time that we CAN meet each week due to time and money constraints on JZ's part.  For me, it would be more energizing and motivating to "just do it" and get it over with!!  Not to be, or so it seems.   Wth only two hours per week set aside to accomplish this major project, we will surely be working into the first quarter of next year before we see any true progress in JZ's 4 room apartment. 

No matter, we WILL get it done......