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Original poster

How to clean when depressed?

29 replies

Espanio · 23/12/2018 13:25

I'm looking for tips on how to clean when depressed. I have over 2 weeks worth of washing up etc to do :(

OP posts:
cheesywotnots · 23/12/2018 13:31

Just go slowly, wash two things at a time, dry them and put them away.maybe go back an hour later and do that again. When you've had a drink or eaten, could you wash that cup and plate up straight away and put it in the rack. Can you put any laundry back in the basket, do you have anything that needs to go in the machine. Do you have a friend or someone in the family who can come and help you.

SexNotJenga · 23/12/2018 13:32

"Unfuck your habitat" is really good for this. Google it.

speakingtruthfully · 23/12/2018 13:37

Clear it out of the sink , fill up sink with warm soapy water then crack on with the easier to clean stuff , leave any burn on bits till last then they can soak whilst you stop for a cup of coffee , finish off the soaking bits as soon as you can , getting it done will make you feel loads better
Crack on with it , I know that sounds tough but it will make you feel really positive when you have finished and achieved a tidy result ( honest , I've been there too )

Redcrayons · 23/12/2018 13:41

It's so hard, I feel for you.

Start small, just do the mugs. Wash them, dry them and put them away. Then see how you feel.

Singleinastrangeland · 23/12/2018 13:44

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Vitalogy · 23/12/2018 13:47

OP, take each second at a time. Concentrate solely on every intricate thing you're doing. Standing at the sink, reaching over to the washing up liquid bottle, taking the cap off. That broken down. Your mind will try and wander ahead or back to something in the past but just bring it back to the moment you're in. Best wishes and I hope you feel better soon.

MrsJayy · 23/12/2018 13:52

Fill your basin with hot soapy water pile your dishes together wash your glasses and cups first then your cutlery it is always easier to go from cleanest to dirtiest, if you have pots dishes soak them while you are drying putting away, once you have finished tick it off your list.

Original poster
Espanio · 23/12/2018 13:59

I’m going to put my phone down and get on with doing the kitchen as that’s the worst room of the house. Then it’s just the bedroom to tackle, some bleach down the toilet and a quick spray in the bathroom.
Haven’t got much washing to do apart from towels. Bedding needs changing but I do have a fresh set

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 23/12/2018 14:07

👍 come back when you are finished do what you can though don't try and push yourself.

Nat6999 · 23/12/2018 14:48

I suffer from depression & have let the house go for months, I'm just starting to try & regain some control. This last week I have managed to clear all the rubbish out of the kitchen & hall, wiped all the worktop clean, scrub the sink, wash all the pots & pans & clean the fridge . I'm trying to maintain what I have done, I hope later this week once Christmas is over to get the very old microwave & counter top fridge I have just for milk & butter as my big fridge is in the utility room, put out for the scrap man & get new ones delivered from Argos, sweep & wash the floor, catch up on laundry that is piled up & Hoover the hall. I'm going to my parents for Christmas so I don't have the added pressure of having visitors to cope with. I put off sorting things because I just didn't know where to start, I'm chipping away at things gradually.

MrsJayy · 23/12/2018 14:56

It is the not knowing where to start that overwhelmed me when I was at my worst it is easier to ignore it than use energy to try and sort it. Well done Nat small victories add up

bringincrazyback · 23/12/2018 15:06

I struggle with this too, so I'm jumping on the thread for tips. OP you have my sympathies, depression can make such a battle out of it all.

Redcrayons · 23/12/2018 15:11

Not knowing where to start is my problem too. currently hiding away on MN to avoid the paperwork mountain on the dining table.

Stupid thing is though, I know that when I've sorted it out I'll feel like I've climbed Everest but it's just so overwhelming at the moment.

reenchantmentofeverydaylife · 23/12/2018 15:33

What works for me is to put on music I love, whether it be through earphones or a speaker in the room I'm cleaning. Do a bit, then go and watch ten or fifteen minutes of a programme I like. Then put the music back on and do a bit more cleaning, before taking another tv break. At some point, if I'm hungry I'll stop and have something to eat and watch a bit more telly. Then when I'm feeling ready again I put my music on and get back to my cleaning. Might allow myself a bit of time here and there to look at my phone or the laptop too. For me, it's all about balancing the chores with stuff that makes me feel chilled out. And throughout it all I remind myself how made up I'll be when the cleaning/tidying/sorting etc is done.

Hope you're winning, OP Flowers

SexNotJenga · 23/12/2018 16:05

Not knowing where to start

With your bed. Any items that belong elsewhere, put away. Bin any rubbish. Change the sheets.

Original poster
Espanio · 23/12/2018 16:25

Managed to take the rubbish out and done most of the washing up. Sitting down with a cup of tea for a minute before I carry on with the rest

OP posts:
MissMarplesKnitting · 23/12/2018 16:28

Well done.

Small tasks. One drawer at a time. Do the bathroom, then enjoy a good soak in the lovely clean room as a treat.

Slowly do things that you can achieve, don't overface yourself.

Personally, I love a wardrobe sort and chuck out one a year or so. Always feel good after doing that.

SexNotJenga · 23/12/2018 16:35

Good work! Do your bed next, then it will be nice to fall asleep in tonight Xmas Smile

JellySlice · 23/12/2018 16:50

Make yourself a list of jobs. Include easily achievable ones (eg brush my hair) and rewards (eg cup of tea, 20mins reading, a stroll around the garden/block). Avoid screen-based rewards - except MN, of course, so that you can come and report here occasionally for support, if you like.

Then tick things off as you achieve them.

darkriver198868 · 23/12/2018 16:52

Do it for 5 minutes at a time. Focus on one area. That's how I do it.

Skatersbeskating · 23/12/2018 16:56

Think of tomorrow. Think of how amazing it will be to get up on Xmas eve, to a sparkly kitchen - thanks to your hard work.

Have a treat tomorrow if you can as a reward.

Bubble bath or paint your toenails. Try to do something for you Flowers

Original poster
Espanio · 23/12/2018 17:21

Wow thank you everyone for all the support ♥️ I’ve finished the washing up and wiped down the sides, gunna try tidy the bedroom up, change the bedding and do a quick hoover for today, then it won’t seem like so much is to be done tomorrow

OP posts:
GourmetGold · 23/12/2018 17:31

Yes I second 'Unfxxk Your Habitat' too!
Basically set a timer for 10-20 mins, do some cleaning, then have a 5-10 minute break.... just carry on like that, you're switching your focus away from how much there is to do, to just getting stuff done before the timer goes off, you won't feel so overwhelmed.

GourmetGold · 23/12/2018 17:33

You could also look up 'Pomodoro Technique' which is the timer technique

Scifi101 · 23/12/2018 17:39

If you watch tv do jobs in the adverts. It's surprising what you can do in three minutes and makes it feel less daunting.

You have done so well today!