Virtual kick up the arse please - house is a tip

[Couldhavebeenme3]

Please be gentle!

I've got a hopefully temporary medical condition that has knocked my stuffing out since June, and my house is looking like early-stage hoarding has set in. Actually it's not that bad but I can see it escalating.

Today I'm (so far, considering how little sleep I had last night) having a good day and want to start downstairs - lounge/diner and kitchen, with upstairs to do as well.

Please make me accountable and hit me with little chunks to tackle the mess before I get completely overwhelmed!

Starting with

Iron and ironing board away (out since forever)
Washing on
Wet washing into dryer

Can you afford to hire a skip? Can you ask a friend to help?

baby steps , write a list of what needs to be done then you can see how much you've achieved when you start crossing things off

Ha, it's not at skip hiring state yet, just no thing's really been done properly since June so piles of stuff everywhere, needs a proper clean and hoover kcarpet cleaner really, maybe I should book one, nothing like a deadline..)

Well if it’s not at that stage, that’s positive. One room at a time is my advice.

Get the job you're dreading done first (for me it's when washing up is piled high and the sinks grimey) even if you only do half of that job it can make the rest seem less intimidating.

I am a big fan of A slob comes clean podcasts, and listen to them as i tidy and clean.
Her advice would be to start with the easy stuff, throw all the rubbish away, and put all the stuff away, when things have a definite place. Be ruthless about throwing things away and take before and after photos to see how much progress you make

I tell myself, 'I've just got to do x and y, and then I can have a little sit'.

And then, 'well I've done x and y, it will only take me ten minutes to do z at the same time, so I might as well do that.'

It kind of snowballs.

Yep, next job start in the place that’s most visible - hallway, or living room, or kitchen.

Oh, and the other thing I do, is I write a to do list each morning, which is dependent on how I'm feeling mentally and physically. There's something wonderfully satisfying about ticking things off!

Some days, 'have a shower' is an achievement. Go easy on yourself, your number one job at the moment, is healing!

I would do one room per day. Set a timer and do 30 minute bursts.

Living room first as that is usually easier. Do it properly - start by putting away everything that shouldn’t be there. Then clean every surface including skirting boards and windows. Finish by hoovering / mopping depending on your floor.

Then do another room tomorrow etc

If you so each room properly it’s more likely to stay cleaner and will be easier next time.

I was following The Organised Mum method but fell away from it. But it really does work.

Is the load of washing on, OP?
How's the ironing going? Sometimes I accumulate loads and listen to a backlog of Archers omnibus while I plough through it.

Take breaks so you don't exhaust yourself.

@ErrolTheDragon

Is the load of washing on, OP? How's the ironing going? Sometimes I accumulate loads and listen to a backlog of Archers omnibus while I plough through it.

Take breaks so you don't exhaust yourself.

Washing is sorted, will put on next. Can't iron at the moment so the pile is growing, that's for a 'I've just taken my pills and it's a REALLY good day' kinda day.

I've emptied the lounge piles onto the kitchen table so that I can see what's what. Will have a sit down and work my way through it with a brew.

One step at a time

1. sort piles into rubbish/ wash/ put away
2. wash
3. sweep floors 4)mop floors
4. clean surfaces.

I saw a very very cluttered house the other day and it made me feel anxious. So keeping surfaces/floors clean would immediately make me feel better.

Oh dear God. I finally buckled and went and picked up eldest DD's room and vacced it. It took me HALF AN HOUR to vac. . . I need a stiff drink and a lie down. . .

@Couldhavebeenme3 I used to have ironing piles and baskets - now it all gets hung in wardrobes until we need to wear it.

This has resulted in us not ironing most of the DC’s clothes - if they are hung up and put away soon after drying, they are less creased than being in an ironing basket.

I iron school uniforms and I iron my clothes as and when I need them.

It works so so much better.

We've all been there... I find if I take a photo, send it to a close friend/relative/whoever and say "tackling this now.... after photo pending" it gives me the motivation I need!!! Also put some motivating music on!! You can do it...

How are you going OP? Breaking for a well deserved lunch?!

Start in one room, in one corner. Work outwards. Then you can really see what you have achieved.

When my MIL is cleaning or tidying up she always says "that's that bit done". I never really understood it until recently. It's a positive affirmation, as in yes, I've one thing done instead of saying "I've loads to do". I've taken it on board and it's really helpful and stops me getting overwhelmed when I feel I have do much to do.

Well done for getting started. I was getting down because our kitchen cupboard fronts really needed a good wipe down and I just never had the energy to do them (pregnant + toddler 🙄) then I split them up and did just a couple every night after washing up and in a week they were all done. They'd still not be if I'd tried to do it all in one go - tiny bits every day and you'll get there ❤️

How is it going OP?

Don't look at the big picture, one room at a time, put a wash on, wash and dry up, get a bin bag, start chucking stuff in it, clear the work tops, put stuff in cupboards, wipe the sides down, wash the floor.
The whole job will look huge but in reality, washing up takes 10 minutes, clear the work tops 20 minutes, wash the floor 5 minutes etc.
Looking at it as a whole job makes it look a mamouth task when in reality each job only takes a few minutes.
When done, have a break then move onto the next room, take the bin bag with you, put the ironing board away, make piles of stuff to go upstairs, leave it on the stairs and every time you go up take a pile.
You'll be spurred on every time you make a clear clean space.
I'm rooting for you op