to not feel stressed by clutter and untidyness?

[Mintyy]

Otoh, the thought of tidying everything up and always keeping it immaculate gives me sleepless nights!

I haven't got the energy or stamina to keep a tidy house and I need to stop feeling guilty about it.

Mumsnet has made me think there's a problem when I was never aware of one before .

Thanks, mintyy That's very kind. I try to explain to DH and just get, well clean or don't, but don't complain!

The funny thing is other people's clutter completely doesn't bother me. I really like the children's book Peepo because the house is so full -- random shoes on the floor, blocks all over, clothes hanging off stuff, etc., and I love how someone spent the time to draw all that, and normalise what it's like to have kid's stuff everywhere. And we once stayed in a B&B, which was basicaly some rooms in a retired couple's house, where every surface was just full of nicknacks and such. It felt really homey and I loved being able to see the record of their interesting life!

Completely agree with your thoughts about Peepo murmur.
I remember it making me feel so much better about living in what I thought was chaos when I was on ML. (And still do....)

Its what your house should look like if you're spending quality time with your children rather than faffing about tidying up everything five minutes. IMHO

I love Peepo too! Reminds me of my parents' house - wooden clothes horse by the fire with the kettle warming.

I have got rid of things in my life that I really regret now -nothing valuable,but meaningful to me nonetheless.
I haven't got a lot -no real 'assets' like house or car,but I like to live in a cosy home,and I like tat around me that holds meaning for me.
Others would call it clutter.
I can't live in a world of sharp corners,clean lines,and shiny surfaces.
I like warmth and soul in my home.

Agree with bloodmidges. I havent got the time or effort for a cluttered home. When you have storage even your young children can tidy to a decent standard.

I like the clothes horse in Peepo too. Just like in my front room. Love that book.

If it doesn't bother you then don't worry.

For some, me include, looking at bits of stuff everywhere stresses me out, so I'm better of just putting it away.

The children make a mess when they play and I just tidy up once they're in bed. I'm no so amall that I tidy up before the children have finished playing.

I know a couple that do this

I wish I could feel more like you Op

Unless things are in order in every way in my excruciatingly minimal fashion then everything goes to rat shit....my diet....my mood ....my planning.

Bloody nitemare

When pil come to stay, Mil insists on drying up saucepans etc from the draining board and putting them away, when she knows perfectly well that we are happy to let them air dry.

I think it's actually healthier to air dry, because of all the nasty bacteria on tea towels. That's my excuse, anyway!

I think there are varying grades of slovenly, personally I fall into the 'bit of dust won't kill you' and 'the dishes can wait' category but house is clean and bathroom bleached etc.
My best friend though is somewhere off the chart. Her dining table hasn't been for years under an ever increasing pile of random crap and you need to step over a washing mountain to get to the loo. She's clean, her kids are clean she's just not a tidy person at all. Even her car is full of crap.