AIBU to feel overwhelmed and unable to start cleaning my room?

Well done! Just starting can be really tough sometimes

Its too hot tbh, ive been doing the bare minimum each day

or if 15 is too daunting, do 5.

If 5 is too much, do 2.

Small steps

Put the radio on. Loads of good stuff to listen to. I also love podcasts on BBC Sounds and Spotify. Before you know it, you’re lost in the tidying and listening to really interesting stuff. I’ve just done a day of decluttering this way. I couldn’t do it without a radio on though!

I saw something on tiktok (so clearly not scientific) but it said to just do 10 things - hang up one t-shirt (1), make bed (2) put one item in laundry basket (3) etc...but say the jumbers out loud and it makes a massive difference to fet started and more likely to do more. It's helped me when feeling overwhelmed

Try setting a timer for 1/2 an hour, so you feel you can stop if feeling overwhelmed. You might find that once you have made a start on it, you will carry on for longer than the half an hour. Starting is the hardest bit.

I read this advice for children struggling to start an essay or revision. It applies to jobs that we have procrastinated on.

I have to do my whole flat as I have a visitor later 😢

Also whilst you're at it, grab a charity bag! No point keeping stuff that don't bring you joy/you don't like anymore. Easier to donate or sell rather than trying to organise someplace for it. Good opportunity to declutter x

And play music!

I don’t know why but it helps.

Set a 10 minutes timer. You can manage 10 minutes for 1 week. Day 1 Get a black sack and pick up any rubbish. Day 2 pick up any shoes and put away. Day three pick up dirty washing and take away to wash. Day 4 fold up and put away clean clothing. This might need to be Day 5 task too. Day 6 wipe over surfaces to get rid of dust put clutter away in boxes and put in wardrobe for now and open window. Day 7 change bedding polish up chest of drawers if wooden, clean any mirrors and windows. It will look so much better in just 1 week taking just 10 minutes a day.

I have one room in my house which is an absolute pigsty! The rest of my house is tidy but this room has got worse and worse as I just chuck stuff into it. I started this morning and said I’d do 30 mins max. In fact, I did a couple of hours as once I got started, I really wanted to make a difference. Just the process of starting made me feel more motivated than I have done in the months I’ve been thinking about 🙈 Aim for a tiny bit a day and you’ll feel so much better for it.

That’s what I do. Really works.

My list would be:
... rubbish
...crockery
...dirty laundry to wash and or hamper
...make bed
...remove stuff that belongs in other rooms to that other room. (Put it away if possible but only if simple. Don't get waylaid or distracted until you've completed this task)
...put away other clean laundry
...put away other stuff.

You can stop at any point and restart another time.

And yes I often use the 'Ill just do this for 15 mins, and see how i get on' line on myself

Agree with telling yourself you only have to do 10 minutes etc
i also find , getting things off the floor a useful early goal as it really makes the room feel better.
also start with tidying up the biggest things, again maximum impact that will make you feel it’s all more doable.
Or just do any part of it that you can find the energy for, (follow your energy) successfully breeds success and when you’ve done a few small inroads you will see the light at the end of the tunnel and might surprise yourself with a sprint finish
i know these will work for me when I get round to it!

It’s to rain the weekend, so it then, take any washing out today so it’ll be fresh to put back in at the weekend, grab any dishes while the wash is on, empty the bedroom bin.
15 mins max.
It’ll make stripping the bed and big clean easier on the weekend.

I am the queen of procrastination so I feel your pain.
I set myself a timer. Even 30 minutes helps.
And then I just power through for 30 minutes and stop when the alarm goes off.
Do it in categories if that helps (dirty washing put in a bin bag, cups/bowls etc. to the kitchen, and then “bits”).
Then have a break if you need or go straight into doing the dishes, folding clean washing/putting dirty washing in the machine, hoovering, wiping down sides.

Start with your trash and recyclables. Get every bit of trash out. Take the trash out of you've got a full bin.

Have a cup of coffee or tea. You've made a start.

Get any dishes or cups down to the kitchen if there's any in the bedroom. Do the dishes.

Drink some water.

Any dirty clothes laying around to the laundry hamper and do a load of laundry if you've got a full load.

More water.

Get a basket or box for things that aren't on their place, put the stuff that isn't where it belongs, and put it away.

Dust and vacuum.

You can divide it up.

Put some washing on, put the rest in the washing basket. Fill a bin bag with rubbish.
After I split up with my ex my house was a state. I got overwhelmed and was in a state of paralysis for ages. My bedroom was such a state I couldn't sleep in it. I now have a newly decorated bedroom, with new furniture. It took a while, but I did it. And so can you!
Doing something small every day is better than doing nothing. I had to remind myself of that often.

I have the same thing with my kitchen. My daughter does with her room. I helped her today by getting rid of rubbish and stuff that didn't belong there, it really helped

If it's a bedroom, make the bed. Then pick up rubbish. Next, any dirty laundry and/or mugs, cups etc. Then pick your next category to tackle. I.e clean clothes/ books/magazines, shoes, make-up etc. Once surfaces are clear you can start wiping down and mopping/hoovering. You don't have to do it all at once, and have a break between each category - if that's 5 mins, an hour or trying again tomorrow you've already made an improvement and you have a plan. It's amazing how much difference 10mins tidying can make to a room.

3 steps for me:

I make a list of things I can do that are tiny, tiny tasks that take a minute or two each

Then I set mysef a tie limit or a numbers goal to work on them...eg 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 3 tasks, whatever

Than I put on a playlist of my favourite songs and do the things and then I take a break and repeat when I can!

Maybe change your bedding when you get up. Later, or next day, take out all dirty clothes and put in washing machine. Complete at least one thing every morning as soon as you get up. If you feel able do another job later in the day.

You will start to feel better slowly and this way you will see the difference.