How can I stop procrastinating / being lazy

[Makemedoit]

I live alone and work full time but feel I just completely waste my time at home / off work. I know I need to sort out paperwork, do the ironing, clean the bathroom, etc but just end up flopping in front of the tv and doing nothing except playing on phone, watching tv and falling asleep. How can I stop myself just wasting my time and my home becoming untidy and dirty.

Write lists and stick them up where you can see them then reward yourself when you have done a certain number .

Have you ever seen the website ’unfuck your habitat’. It’s great for setting really short housework-type challenges (how much can you get done while the kettle is boiling?) and being generally supportive. Also for more general life procrastination, there’s a brilliant ted talk that I can’t recommend enough called Inside The Mind of the Master Procrastinator by Tim Urban. It’s mostly focused on essay-type procrastination but I think you’ll find it relatable and entertaining (and useful!). He’s also really funny ;)

Also, routine. It’s a lot easier to negotiate putting things off with yourself when you don’t have a set routine in place for when you’ll do them.

Thank you. I will have a look at the website and Ted talk suggested.

I write mental lists but then just put off doing it as it doesn't matter or affect anyone else.

I’m like this OP. I find the key is not to switch the TV on. If it’s on I grab my phone and that’s it, I’m sofa bound scrolling on MN/FB half listening to the tv and before I know it the evening is gone. So I try not to switch it on in the evenings unless ive done what I need to do.

It can’t be done without some willpower, but I do believe that doing little tasks that you benefit from are a great way to train yourself that doing chore type talks can be rewarding. Perhaps start with one thing that really bugs you (a messy draw or a pile of ironing) and get that done at the same time as watching tv or listening to a great podcast). Enjoy the smug of having done it and then another day do something else.

If you’re anything like me then you’ll end up with a not perfect home, but one that doesn’t make me unhappy through its chaotic nature!

Go NOW and see if you can get your bathroom cleaned and sparkling by 8.
Ready. Set. GO...

I'm the same. I occasionally spend the whole day doing fuck all and then suddenly realise DH will be home from work in half an hour and I've wasted the ENTIRE day, and have a mad half hour tidying up and bunging laundry in. (Not that I'm remotely worried about DH's reaction, more that I'm annoyed with myself).

The only thing I've found that actually works, is that when I've a day (or even just a morning or afternoon) at home, I decide ahead of time that I'm going to do a particular room, and set an alarm for the time I'm going to start it. When that goes off, I GET UP AND GO TO THE ROOM. It makes a massive difference to just move your body in response to the alarm (and I use the same alarm that I have in the mornings, so I'm sort of pre-programmed to get up when it goes off).

Then my tactic is: set a timer for 15 minutes, on repeat.

First 15: Do everything at eye level or above - whisk a duster around for cobwebs, straighten pictures, wipe cupboards, tidy shelves, whatever suits that room.
Second 15: Do everything at waist level - countertops, or tables, or sideboards. Tidy or dust or put away.
Third 15: Above ground: tidy or put away toys, pick up clothes and shoes, straighten furniture.
Fourth 15: Mop or hoover.
Then make a cuppa.

Honestly, it works. If it's a real mess it won't make a massive difference, but it really works.