Im a little bit in the same position. Fortunately I’m in a good place mentally so I can “think straight”, no idea how long it will last. Just come back from staying with a friend whose house is so calming. When I sat there enjoying the space I realised it wasn’t the size and the newness, it was the lack of stuff and busyness. Obviously this won’t appeal to everyone, I only mention it because I managed to work out what it is that appeals to me. I made myself a promise that I’d start creating that once home.
On the out side I appear lazy but it’s actually a feeling of futility and frustration that stops me doing anything. Sometimes I do nothing and sometimes I do just enough. Very occasionally I blitz and do lots but have now realised that was just moving the mountains of stuff around.
There are 2 approaches, the scattergun and the sniper. Normally I do the scatter gun, wander around picking things up and moving them but have decided to try the sniper approach. So I decided the kitchen would get the attention and I started in one area. I’m not just moving stuff I’m either putting it away, rehoming or completely removing it. Im also actually doing it with each item, the inly exception being folding clothes. Every single item is either put away, binned or put jn the charity bag. No piles of stuff everywhere. I really hate the stage where it actually looks worse before its better. So I’m trying to omit that.
Good areas to begin might be;
bathroom so when it’s done you can have a lovely soak or refreshing shower jn nice surroundings.
Bedroom to relax in when its done, read a book or whatever. You can shut the door on it
Kitchen- if you love cooking you will get ylur mojo back. A kitchen is a room that really feels clean when its done. Can smell lovely and often the heart of the home so the joy will spread from there.
Entrance hall- so you knkw if you have to answer the door or when you first come in you don’t feel a slump. Again it will spread from there
Lounge- again a room to shut the door on and become a little oasis.
You just need to pick the one with the biggest draw for you.
But if you decide the sniper id not for you then the scattergun can have really dramatic impact. I personally start with a rubbish/recycling bag (or 2). Move from room to room removing ALL rubbish. I’m not talking about the stuff you need to make decisions over I mean actual rubbish that needs binning. Then go round collecting all pots and washing up. Take that all in to the kitchen, if its been there a while put it in soak. Include all vases etc. Basically anything that needs washing up.
Next take a box or bin bag and go around the whole house finding stuff to send to charity. At this stage don’t make any tough decisions. Just do the easy stuff. Ive done this for 2 days then tomorrow will drop off what there so far before I start agin, rather than waiting until its done. Again, resisting the temptation to have piles of stuff to move.
Once youve done those 2 things youll have more room and brain/eye space to move things around to where you want them.
I guess the key is to then keep it at bay. I’m not there yet so will see how that goes!!