How do you make a start on the housework etc when you really don't feel like doing it?

[CatsSleepAnywhere]

I am really struggling lately, the house is a tip and I don't know where to start!
I feel like I CBA (have some MH problems).

I make a list,smallest things first, then highlight as you complete a task, sense of achievement make me feel better, and make sure you reward yourself when done

Me too OP....my place is a midden of shite just now - it isn't usually - and as much as I hate being in it, and it stresses me out, I cannot seem to find the motivation to get it cleared.
Crap innit?

I have a timer.
I go into the kitchen, set the timer for half an hour and do as much as I can for half an hour.

I realised that my problem was that the task felt overwhelming so I was sort of paralysed by it. But the idea of just doing half an hour isn't daunting.

(of course once I have done half an hour I often then feel quite good about carrying on. I go to another room and do the same again)

I'm hoping I will wake up tomorrow and feel like doing it .
It is crap feeling/being like this! I feel like I am failing at everything!

When I have a good day (cause I do occasionally get them) then I can get quite a few jobs done. Today just hasn't been one.

i try and do one room at a time, so kitchen then dining room and then kitchen. but i go in phases of keeping on top of it and then being really slack, i feel shit when i am not on top of it, but with 5 kids and a house that is in need of renovation (think walls that are waiting to be plastered!) i am fighting a losing battle and really feeling it at the moment :(

I make a list, give myself a time limit on each room (reasonable though so an hour on the kitchen but much less on lounge) then put on my MP3 player and sing as I do it. Very satisfying even though you can't be arsed - bit like exercise :)

I watch Kim and Aggie on SKY+ and it really gets me in the mood for cleaning. I don't ever want my house to get in to some of those states.

Music? I put the iPod on full and get a bit of a funky dance thang going on and this gets me going!

Will be watching this thread avidly for motivational tips.
My home is unusually minging and chaotic just now. It really brings me down.

Kim and Aggie has indeed got me off my backside before.

yes music always helps, something bouncy and cheerful, sometimes the scissor sisters does the trick...

List. And a timer. Never do any one thing for more than 15 minutes. And 15 minutes break in every hour. But work flat out for each of those 15 minute blocks. Works brilliantly.

Yep, distraction does help me too.

I have some fav tv shows on my iPad or my sons DVD player. I can clean with something on in the background. Or music. Or an audio book.

And don't blame yourself - that just makes you feel worse. I was like this all the time when I was depress.

I never feel like housework. Ever. But I get weirdly stressed/miserable if the house is untidy. So, I make a cup of tea put the radio on then tackle the smaller stuff or the things I like doing first & let it snowball e.g planning/preparing dinner, which usually means I need to wash up, so I may as well wipe the surfaces, and now the bits from the surfaces are on the floor & need hoovering & while I've got it out I might as well do the living room....YSWIM.

That's only a good day though....

ilook thats exactly what I do! I record "How clean is your house" and "Location,Location,Location" etc.I sit down with a coffee,watch one of them,and I'm itching to get started when it finishes.

When I'm that way out and the house is getting too bad I make myself do three things, ie (un)loading dishwasher, putting a wash in or some clean stuff away. And I try to have one tidy room so that it doesn't drag me down too much.

I always put the washing machine on and do the dishes first. Then once the dishes are done I wipe the surfaces. That's enough for me to feel a bit better about things and motivate me to get going. I think if you can identify one thing which depresses you most (ie for me it's dirty dishes) and get it out of the way then you've got a start.

I also think to start with a big impact thing helps.I usually find tackling putting away the teetering pile of laundry helps.Fold and put away any dry washing on clothes horses and radiators.Fold and put ironing pile out of view and put a new load of washing on.Wash up,and tidy up/make beds.

I put on good music and do one room at a time.

You definately need to get the machines working for you first, then you really feel like something is happening - washing machine,tumble drier if needed,and dishwasher if you have one.

15 minute chunks on the Home Routines app, or doing a job every ad break.

I imagine my x partner has just called and will be popping round in an hour with his new wife!!!!!!
It really gets me moving, amazing what you can do in an hour.

(im married, happily myself but even still)

If it helps this is how i break it down.

Load machines - dishwasher & washing machine, dryer. Open all windows. Empty bins. Throw bleach at bathroom.

sweep round the house 5 mins per room, do the biggest wins. ( pick up crap put it away, make beds.)
Carry a basket to fill with items from other rooms and put them away when you reach that room.( saves getting side tracked.) also carry bin bag.

When you run out of rooms, hoover whole house only 3 mins per room same for dusting.
Five mins in bathroom then hit the kitchen for a manic wiping down session until hour is up.

Forget prfection and do everything to say 80% then everything gets done enough for the house to look way way better. You can work your way round the other jobs if you wish, windows, sofa, clutter, washing mountain etc.

I give myself permission to watch Homes Under the hammer. After seeing the "after" pictures, it inspires me to have a nice home too. After that I switch the TV off, and the radio on, and get on with things.

My house is lovely when it's nice and tidy. I stuggle with ironing though. It takes over my dining room for days

I make a list, do the worst things first and always switch off the TV and computer and put on some really good tunes. I have to get into the zone! I also carry a laundry basket around and chuck everything into it, depositing it in the correct room as I go. But the main thing that I do is make sure I have a treat planned for when I'm done, like watching something on Sky+, reading a magazine with a cuppa or getting something yummy to eat.