That’s the kind of progress I wish I could make. Everyone tells me I need to get rid of things, then when I’m ready to throw something away, those same people are like, “Well don’t throw that away. It’s in good condition.”

But it’s more complicated with my kids’ stuff. I was very attached to things when I was little, and my parents would throw things away without telling me. I promised I’d never do that with my kids, but my daughter is so attached to everything that the end result is that nothing gets thrown out ever.

Being able to identify things that could be thrown away, then throwing them away? Difficult as it is, it sounds like a blessing.

I feel the same on the “livable” thing. I know that the condition my house is in might be unacceptable to a lot of people, but I try to accept that I have limited capacity and that I focus on the things that matter. Like I prioritize quality time and healthy meals for my kids.

I mentioned this to my therapist who agreed that it was a healthy attitude. Then I was like, “As long as my kids are healthy and happy, who cares if the floor hasn’t been mopped in six months?” and her eyes widened like she hadn’t thought it was that bad.

I’m feeling the same way today. Between my ADHD and my wife’s handicap, we just don’t keep up on the house or many of the important things we need to do. And I totally feel you on things not having a place. We were finally, finally about to get rid of a box of stuff, baby toys, but now we’re expecting our third child (gratefully), so we have to keep it all again.

This week my wife is out of town, so I feel all the weight of the mess on me, like I need to have it clean, even though I can’t make myself go through the steps.

Tonight I’m going to get a big box and fill it up with all the stuff that doesn’t have a place. Then, someday soon or months from now, we’ll go through the box. But tonight it won’t feel so bad.

Not trying to offer advice, but that’s what I’m hoping to do.