AIBU to throw all the kitchen stuff in the bin and buy new tomorrow?

[NotJustThreeSmallWords]

I'm really struggling to cope at the moment.
I haven't done any washing up for 2 weeks, am out of all plates, pans and cutlery.
I've managed to do my laundry and dry it but it is in piles, I haven't got around to putting it away. I just pick it up off the floor and wear it then chuck it in the laundry basket.
I'm exhausted. And the kitchen just feels like too big a mountain to climb at the moment - but every meal gets worse.

I've had a shower, that's a big plus, first time in 5 days. Didn't have the energy to wash my hair though. Well, I could have washed it, it's the drying and styling that I couldn't face.
Can anyone motivate me? I can't afford to bin all the kitchen stuff btw, can't even really afford to have the hot water on to wash it all.

I get the fear of starting because it's so overwhelming. Could you just quickly clean out your sink then set a timer for ten minutes and just wash up the easy stuff? I'd chuck a load of plates in the bowl to soak for a couple of minutes and bin any rubbish you can see in the meantime. Then wash up what you can in the time and leave it to dry. Once you've started it's not normally so bad to keep going.

Have you seen your gp recently? If your struggling they might be able to help.

Having a shower is a big step in the right direction. Keep setting yourself little goals and you will gradually get back on top of things again. Theres no rush, just takecit one step at a time. Are you on any treatment?

Well done for getting in a shower and doing the laundry. I know when your struggling that can in itself feel impossible.

Give yourself credit. You are trying. You haven't given up. Book yourself a doctors aopointment and check you are getting all the benefits etc you are entitled to (it sounds as if you may have some financial issues)
Have you got anyone who would come round and help you out?

Can you break it down into one or two small tasks? So aim just to put one pile of washing away or to wash five plates or anything that seems doable and will give you a easy win? Is there anyone who can come over and help you?

Sorry if that isn't helpful, didn't want to read and run. Good job on having a shower, very small steps that help you feel better are good 👍

Thank you for replying. It all feels a bit overwhelming at the moment.
I put the hot water on yesterday to do the washing up but just didn't get round to it. I was going to do it today but went supermarket shopping and it needed to be put away so that's done. And then I had to cook and eat so it was 10pm by then. I work full time so no benefits and have to keep up appearances at work. My boss thinks I'm super organised, if only they could see me at home!

Can I recommend Unfuck Your Habitat? It has a lot of advice for people overwhelmed due to mental health problems. It takes a really realistic approach and makes sure you don't burn yourself out.
Key thing is to start small, say clear and clean a bedside table, and then rest. Work for a short set amount of time and then rest for a short amount of time. And the before/after are inspirational and real (not bloody perfect minimalist spaces in the afters)

Just wash 3 things. Or just glasses, or just plates. Whatever is easiest for you. Just start.

Not the same, but I'm ASD and get hugely overwhelmed when there's piles of stuff to do. I have enormous anxiety and it gets worse when there's too much to do. I too currently have stacks if dry laundry all over the place, but I did manage to make a start on the kitchen earlier.
Trying not to get overwhelmed by it, so have written my scariest list ever. Even washing my hair is on there for tomorrow.

Don't know if it'll help, but I sort of get how you feel xxx

Would you be able to wash just the items needed for that night's meal?

If I'm having a bad day I will put one or two items in the dishwasher through out the day. Just so I can see it going down and feel better but I'm not pushing myself to much.

Hugs Op little steps

You're doing really well!! Shower is a big step! Well done. I have been where you are and I know how hard this is.

My advice would be to wash just what you need for your next meal or two. (Knowing there are clean dishes for breakfast would make me feel a lot better about going to bed)

Bloody washing up never goes away does it? It's there looking at you and actively breeding in the sink.

In a continual cycle of grubbiness!

It screams 'Lazy bugger' every time you walk past!!! Ahhhhhh

Can spare cash for a cleaner once a week to run round for a few hours to keep you on track?

I would also just boil half a kettle of water to wash the dishes and make a cup of tea to keep on The counter while I was washing them.

It's a shame you can't take washing up to a laundrette, isn't it?

Pick a theme and act on it while you make a brew. PLates. Wash all the plates. Dry and put away. Rest. Drink brew.
Choose something else. Cups, or cutlery. Seeing a whole raft of similar objects get clean and put away is quite satisfying.

Whittle it down.

Ok, plan for tomorrow - boil the kettle and wash plates and cutlery. I think that I can do that. Then pile up what's left and it won't look so bad.
I'm going to read Unfuck your Habitat tonight rather than stress about it. The laundry can wait till the weekend, I have clean clothes to last me out the week.
Thank you. Really. Your support has helped.

Could you put an audio book or album you like on whilst you wash up? I find everything less painful when I have something to listen to.

Music works wonders for me. I can be in the worst slump feeling miserable but stick on some Wham and I'm working my way round the kitchen without even thinking about it.

If I'm particularly overwhelmed I try to summon the energy for a few minutes to do speed washing up.

Usually while something cooks in the microwave, or while the kettle boils. I can just about cope with 3 mins intense activity, and it's amazing what you can get done in that time. Just that really helps push me over the slump, just a little bit.

I also set challenges

Boil kettle - while waiting pick up rubbish

Make tea - sweep foot - drink tea

Add water to washing up and soak - take another few sips

Set timer - or 4 songs etc and challenge yourself to get the job done

Something's you spend more time worrying about than the time it take to actually do the job in hand

Yy! Song challenges.

OK, and I don't want to make assumptions, but the Hyperbole blog really resonated.

Part one
hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html?m=1

Part two
hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/depression-part-two.html?m=1

It's funny and insightful, and just helped me a lot

X

All good ideas - I do like music and it's a great motivator. But I tend to sit in silence atm. I'll put the radio on while the kettle is boiling. A bit of Old Skool maybe or some cheesy 80s
The bins were due to go out yesterday and haven't done them so I can probably do those for next week while the kettle is boiling and the sink filling up.
I'm really grateful for your replies and sorry that others feel the same (although it makes me feel less alienated if that makes sense!)

OP you are not alone! My bins go out tomorrow and I had planned to cut the grass today to put in the brown bin before it went out. But I couldn't cut the grass because, get this, the neighbours were home! I couldn't face going out in the garden and being seen by them. They are horrible bullying thugs but i don't think they would have done anything, if they could even see me. But I just got so anxious about them seeing me I couldn't do it. So my garden remains a jungle.

You are going to work, you have clean clothes and you have had a shower all masive achievements. Like others have said just do little bits at a time.

Thank you for all the supportive messages last night and today.
Breaking things into manageable portions has helped - I put the hot water on when I got in and have washed all my plates, knives and forks, and cups and glasses. Pans will wait until tomorrow, I'll boil the kettle to top up the water.
And I washed my hair too.
My place is a mess, got clean laundry to face another day but clean laundry is better than dirty laundry and am planning to do a charity shop run at the weekend to get rid of some of the clutter.
Thanks again, I'm in a better place tonight and

Well done-it sounds like a great start.

There's a lovely thread on housekeeping with "fledglings" in the title where people declutter and clean together. No judgement at all, just moral support. There'll be a new one starting for September if that's of interest.

Well done you! I bet you feel great after all that. I know I always do.

still haven't cut my grass