Housework...where the f do I start?

[Heartbroken2019]

The last few weeks have been pretty awful for me (relationship break up, discovering he'd cheated on me, being semi-stalked by the OW, all of which coincided with an absolute shitstorm at work which I have been working hard to resolve. It's all calmed down now but its been crap). Anyway as a result I haven't cooked or cleaned or anything in about 2 weeks, and even before then I've not done a proper job in a good couple of months. Every room in my house is a tip. Honestly it has never been this messy. My poor DC

I am going away for work tomorrow so really need to get it done today. Instead I am MNing and watching 4 in a bed.

Can someone please tell me where to start because it is all such a state it feels overwhelming, and also give me a kick up the arse to do it? Ta!

Go room by room. Start with the kitchen, but first do a sweep of the whole house for cups, etc that may be in other rooms. Then get all things to be thrown out, and get them out. Then all laundry in one area to work on. Music and coffee help! You'll feel great when it's done.

They are teenagers? Yes they should help! I always start with the bathroom. It takes the least time to make look decent. Then kitchen. If those two rooms are fine the rest can wait. You are not doing your kids any favours by letting them off with not helping around the house. These are skills they need to learn.

When it gets out of hand at mine I gather all available hands (teenage or otherwise) and instigate an hours/half hour of chores together. In my household thats 4 adults doing an hours work at the same time. it gets a lot done. Usually equates to a one doing kitchen one doing lounge and one doing hoovering another doing toilet and bathroom.

Do you like reading ? I've found if I put a. Audio book on and stick my earphones in I end up getting engrossed in the story as I'm cleaning.

Hope things get better for you soon

If you only have today, forget a clean and just tidy or cheat by putting everything in a pile, in a corner. Hoover the house and sort the corner piles when you get back.

Generally, if the house has gotten on top of me, I start by making a list of all the things that need doing for each room and the day they should be done. .
It's really uplifting to cross things off.

I prefer doing one room at a time.
Get a washing basket or box and everything that doesn't belong in that room gets put in the basket and sorted later.

Most importantly, if you love "four in a bed", download the channel 4 or ITV app to your phone or tab and carry that from room to room with you. As a bonus, it gives you a frame of time to work for x min.

My DC are more willing to do jobs if I let them have their own music on very loud. As PP have said, start with one thing (whatever it is) and you will feel better.
You could also try the 15-minute rule. Do as much as you can in 15 minutes, then stop. You then have the option to do another 15, or not.
It sounds like you've had an awful time, and frankly - the housework is not important in the great scheme of things.

Try the Organised Mum Method. She has a great boot camp checklist. There's an app out too called Team Tomm and you can check things off as you go.

Sorry to heard you’ve had a rubbish time. I’d suggest checking out The organised mum method helped me when I couldn’t see the wood for the trees.
She suggests starting in a corner and working round the room during messy house book camp which helped me focus when I started. There has recently been an app released too but I haven’t got it so can’t say if it’s any good.

Also if you feel a big job is overwhelming- just do a little job.

For instance - make one bed, not all.
Empty half the dishwasher...

Then once you've done that little bit. Try the next little bit. Don't let it weight down on you

I time myself to do jobs...I aim to unload the dishwasher in two minutes...it reminds me of how much I can get done in a short amount of time

OP I am sorry you've had a bad time. It is good to see you coming around it is easy for things to get of control.
Start removing any rubbish from the bedrooms, next dirty washing, load any clean clothes onto a chair to free up the floor space, dirty dishes to the kitchen, stick a wash on, soak some dishes.
Take a bedroom at a time, keeping in mind Rome wasn't built in a day.