DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m obsessive about watching TV. I’ll binge-watch something.
I get up within the morning and activate the TV, and the following factor you understand, half the day is gone, and I can’t account for the time.
I inform myself usually to get just a few chores finished earlier than I activate the TV, however that resolve doesn’t final very lengthy. As soon as the TV is on, my plans appear to dissipate.
I do business from home and handle to get my work finished, however solely the naked minimal. I’ve even missed just a few deadlines right here and there as a result of I couldn’t cease watching till a sequence ended.
How can I break this behavior?
— TV Addict
DEAR TV ADDICT: You must resolve what your priorities are.
Every evening, write out a listing of issues to do the following day. If you get up, execute your plan. Embody TV time on the listing, however maintain it later within the day, after your tasks are accomplished.
Be strict with your self. Don’t activate the TV till the appointed hour — and solely if in case you have accomplished all your duties prematurely. Make TV a reward relatively than a crutch.
One other essential advice: Wouldn’t have a TV within the room the place you’re employed. Think about {that a} protected zone. Don’t slip up and use your laptop or telephone as a streaming machine.
You must be trustworthy with your self, or you’ll not achieve success.
DEAR HARRIETTE: Ever since I used to be a toddler, my mother by no means appreciated to throw something away, whether or not it was previous garments, expired meals, damaged home equipment and even random unsolicited mail.
Once I was younger, I believed it was simply her being quirky or frugal, however as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized it’s way more than that. Now, at 28 years previous, I’m beginning to see how unhealthy the state of affairs actually is.
Her home is now not livable; each room is filled with muddle from flooring to ceiling, and it’s arduous to stroll by way of with out stepping over piles of stuff. She nonetheless insists on holding on to all the pieces, saying that it may be helpful “someday.” The fact is that almost all of it’s rubbish.
It breaks my coronary heart to see her residing like this, particularly since she’s now alone in the home.
I’m her solely daughter, and I really feel an immense accountability to assist her, however I don’t know the place to start out. Every time I convey up the thought of cleansing or organizing, she will get defensive and even offended. She doesn’t appear to acknowledge how harmful this has change into — not only for her bodily well being, but additionally for her psychological well-being.
How can I strategy this with out making her really feel judged or attacked?
— Mother the Hoarder
DEAR MOM THE HOARDER: It’s time to search skilled assist. An intervention from a therapist who makes a speciality of hoarding dysfunction could also be the most effective subsequent step.
Discover a therapist in your space who will come to do a web site go to and chat along with your mom.
The journey towards therapeutic is lengthy, and she or he could also be offended at first, but when you may get her to speak to somebody outdoors the household, it could present some assist.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founding father of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to assist folks entry and activate their desires. You’ll be able to ship inquiries to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
