Overwhelmed… again

[Times10]

I can’t keep on top of the housework. We obviously still have too much stuff (even though the shed is filling up with boxes for donation) and we’re all as bad as each other with not tidying as we go. I want to pack everything away and only unpack what we use (as per the minimalist packing idea) but that would be completely impractical.

I have tried lots of different ideas thanks to previous threads here, and they work until I stop for one day and the chaos returns. And then getting out of the chaos takes up so much time that I never quite get there, so am constantly behind.

I’m a SAHM with 2 school DCs and a toddler, so the bulk of sorting out is up to me, and DH does help when he can, but I really want to get on top of it once and for all, as it’s stressing me out, and I just want a nice place where things are manageable.

Take the donation stuff now and then you put clutter you want to keep in shed?

You won't get on top of it until you get those boxes out of the shed and taken to wherever they're going; you need space to re-organise your stuff.

Ideally there should no boxes in the shed, as it’s meant to become my office once the toddler goes to nursery/preschool. So we were storing the charity shop donations there to get them out of the house, but hopefully once they’re gone the shed will remain clear. (That’s the plan anyway… not that it’s working at the moment)

The first thing you always need is an exit plan. Stop moving it around your home in to different locations and containers, it's still cluttering up your valuable space!

So first thing is to make an appointment to drop the boxes off at the charity shop. Then a bigger plan for the house, what's your end goal? Divide that up in to small and manageable tasks. And don't forget that exit plan! Plan the tip, hire the skip, put things straight in to you car.... Get it gone! And good luck.

Everything needs to have its own tidy place/cupboard. You stop every activity with five minutes to spare and put stuff away. And you do what Moms have always done: threaten to chuck stuff in the bin if it isn't put away, and if necessary follow through.

How are you getting on @Times10?

@Shapesorted thanks for checking up on me! I didn’t get much done yesterday and now we’re having to self isolate, so no exit plans yet, but on the plus side, I’m hoping we can do some teamwork tomorrow and get on top of the bulk of things so that we start the week from a better start than usual.

I’ve managed to find a few more bits to declutter, but I think we need a much more drastic approach to really see the benefits.

I know it’s a bit ‘old news’ now but Marie Kondo did change my life! I probably got rid of 50% of stuff in the house and don’t miss anything at all. Having much less stuff means it is so much easier to ensure everything has a home and therefore easier to tidy up. The kids still have a tonne of crap but they are getting better at clearing things out also. And I’m usually strict about making sure I don’t buy things unless I know they have a home or I’m getting rid of something to make more space.

Have a look at minimal mom on youtube to give you a bit of inspiration. And once you've got rid of some of the clutter/excess stuff try the organised mum method. Housework is ten times harder with too much stuff.

Do you have any storage space available in your house? We have so much storage that some isn't in use yet but as my child gets older I know I'll need it. Underbed storage? Space for a chest of drawers anywhere? Any space in the kitchen or utility to put up more cupboards?

Every single thing in my house has a home which I find makes it a lot easier to keep on top of. Things aren't overstuffed either, as soon as something becomes a little bit more of a hassle to put away I know I need to overhaul that section. If any difficulties are put in the way of something going to its home then I'm less likely to do it so I make sure lazy future me has an easy life.

I know going through things like that is a job in itself but it helps in the long term and stops the repetitive cycle.

Is it the clutter that’s the main problem?

What what exactly is causing the clutter? Toys, clothes, crap? (It’s general crap in my case!)!

I started well with Marie Kondo, but petered out before getting to the end, and as the DCs grow, we’ve been accumulating lots more.

I really enjoy watching minimal mom, and would love to get to that stage, but we’re starting at such a cluttered space that I’m basically firefighting instead of making a proper dent.

We have storage (actually, too much furniture for the size of the house) but everything is full to the bream (and more, if I’m honest) so we definitely have too much stuff, but it’s all so tricky to actually pare down to what would fit nicely in the house.

And yes, clutter is the main problem, and it’s everywhere, clothes are baaaad, as DC3 sleeps in our room, so we can never put away clothes, as the only time I seem to get is when they’re napping, but they’re a light sleeper so I can’t go in there. And then everything seems to explode out during the day, even if I manage to get things looking ok in the morning, by the evening you couldn’t tell I’ve done anything.

*brim, not bream

Two children and a toddler and not being able to stay tidy for more than five minutes! That was me when mine were young. I remember so wanting to be tidy when people popped in but I was never successful. If the place isn’t dirty and and toilets are clean and you can get on top of the washing and keep them all well fed then don’t fret. For some reason people who are super tidy while having youngsters worry me. Mind you, used to go mad when they were teenagers. Then the cheeky monkeys left home and had homes that were really organised and tidy.

Should have added the kitchen needs to be clean.