Please help me!

[BrutusMcDogface]

I am so embarrassed about the state of my house I could actually cry. In fact- I just did as I had unexpected visitors and it’s appalling! But I can’t find any motivation to do anything about it; I feel like I spend ages cleaning and get nowhere.

I know there are people in the same boat as me. What works for you?

Thanks 💐

Bite the bullet and get a cleaner?

I wish we could afford one! I have to do it myself. I’ve just had a little look at some of the other threads on here and think I might join in.

I'd start off by decluttering. I find it impossible to clean or tidy properly when there's so much junk everywhere. Focus on one room at a time. Get 3 bin bags and fill them with all the stuff you don't need. A bag each for rubbish, charity shop and recycling. It can be overwhelming so don't stress about doing it all quickly. Have a target like one room per week and make sure you actually do take stuff to charity etc rather than letting it all accumulate. Once you've cleared a lot of stuff it's so much easier to keep on top of the cleaning. I stagger it across the week. One day I'll clean the bathrooms, another day the kitchen etc.

Thank you sally. I’m pretty bad at knowing what to keep and what to throw away, which is provably a big part of the problem! Also a clingy baby doesn’t help 😣

I think tidying as you go along helps. I am a big procrastinator - neat piles of washing lined up ready to put away, often wait until the end of the day to tackle the kitchen etc. When in laws stay I have noticed they always tidy up right away. It’s hard to find the energy sometimes but I think it works

Yep clingy babies are never great when you're trying to get things done. I agree re decluttering but you could look to go room by room to start with just to give yourself a feeling that you are doing something and be able to see results the organised mom method is great with a baby as it's 10 mins per room with a timer but that's once you have cleared the place. Little by little if you are feeling overwhelmed- good luck

Thank you mommybear, much appreciated

It is a struggle op i hear you!! As a pp said decluttering is best way to start its taken me ages to let go of some stuff but i have been alot better recently culled alot of old clothes and shoes other day which now makes it easier to put washing away for example. So im slightly more motivated to do it straight away.
Also jus having less ‘stuff’ makes it easier to tidy up and have a place for things. But it is hard and never ending sometimes.
One area i try to always keep clean is the bathroom as that would be the most embarrassing for a unexpected visitor to see! And im trying to keep the hallway tidy now as its so much nicer walking in and not immediately seeing clutter.
Thats still works in progress though im terrible for dumping stuff as i walk in. 🙈🙈

Thanks Betsy!

I’m currently reading a thread entitled “is my wife lazy?” And it could be about me!! I do the basics but am often paralysed by feeling low. I look around me and just can’t find the motivation or energy to get stuff done. I’m also following the organised mum method on Facebook now, and it looks great.

I was reading that thread earlier also!
I struggle to get going often aswell silly because seeing the clutter around me drives me mad, i have every cleaning product under the sun and love things to be clean. But sometimes i just cannot find the effort in me to tidy up.
Some days im fully in the mood and will have a good clean but the ‘stuff’ around me still gets in the way. Im tackling clutter for sure now thats the only way to clear my mind and better my surroundings.
Took 5 bags of stuff to charity shop today before I could change my mind and keep stuff.... And been working through stuff i already have in kitchen cupboards rather than buy more.
My aim with that is to use up random old bits in cupboards get it organised in a nice way and not have random packets falling out the cupboards everytime i look for something.

I used to hate things lookin empty and panic i dont have enough but i now need to work through whats already there and start fresh.. and tidy.
Organised mum method looks good.
Or maybe just set yourself a few daily tasks like get up.. make bed quick wipe round bathroom after use it and try have Washing up done before bed time.
I like to make the bed as it instantly makes the room look tidier. I try to leave the bathroom presentable at all times and every night i make sure washing up is done and sides wiped down. Those are my basics which i feel better about once done even if not much else looks good in between lol.

Hows today been op?xx

I know what you mean OP - I am off work for Easter holidays at the moment but after a hugely stressful term at work, my house has descended into total chaos

I hate mess but unfortunately, DH doesn't seem to bother and would have no qualms about inviting folk in no matter what less there was he is also terrible at getting rid of anything!

I am trying to crack on today!

Watch “Clean with me” videos on YouTube.

I find that motivating.

Start by doing 15 to 30 mins every day without fail. That will start to make a grear difference quite quickly and will be motivating.
First week decluttering.
Then, 'level one' jobs each day - The Organised Mum Method - dishes, kitchen surfaces, bathroom wipe and main floor areas quick sweep/ vacuum. One load of laundry if you can. Once you have that down, step it up to 30 mins (baby allowing?) and aim for some deeper cleaning.

Is there anyone who can help you, OP? I have to admit I don't always do that every day as work ooh full time but do it every other day which keeps us above water! When I have been overwhelmed a bit by clutter, I have to admit I put everything into a laundry basket just to clear the space so I can clean and sort out 'later' (going to be today!) But it makes me feel better knowing all the clutter is in one place!!

If having visitors helps motivate you, invite someone round in a few weeks and work towards that. Good luck. X

Just reread my post and realised it might come across as really preachy. Did not mean it to at all, just trying to explain what i try to do briefly!! 😀 Using a timer really helps me as I procrastinate.

Think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves but I do feel better when organised.