I hate my house

10 replies

jamsponge40 · 18/07/2021 19:25

Sorry for the dramatic title but I'd really like your help. I feel like I'm drowning in constant housework and I basically go round in circles every day and nothing looks any cleaner. I would love to feel calmer in my surroundings. I'd love some tips on how to practically do this. Bit of background I have a 3 bed semi with no storage and small rooms and a partner who works 50 hours. I have an adult child and a toddler. I just feel like I'm drowning. I'm sitting here with a pad ready to try and write down what needs done. Mainly de cluttering I think. But stuff just gets moved around so I don't get a chance to properly deep clean anything. Could anyone pass on any tips please? I've looked into the organised mum method but halfheartedly.

OP posts:

fucksat50 · 18/07/2021 19:32

I felt the same as you. Until I discovered The Organised Mum Method (there is an app). I am on top of it all now. After the 3rd week everything is pristine and 'visitor ready'.

Cynderella · 18/07/2021 23:52

The Organised Mum Method is basically a regime where you do the basics every day and then a bit extra working round the house doing a room every day. There is also a bootcamp you do first.

So, the first step is to declutter. For years, I kidded myself that the answer was more/better storage, but really, the answer was less stuff and less storage. I have made a good start of this and have got rid of some big pieces of furniture that I loved but which made vacuuming difficult and which just encouraged me to store more.

thelegohooverer · 20/07/2021 09:24

TOMM is good for maintenance but a bit light on how you get there from chaotically cluttered.

The House that Cleans itself is brilliant for tips on how to set up and organise your house systems.

And I swear by this one! How to manage your home without losing your mind Her decluttering method is fabulous because she eliminates the messy middle step where you pull everything out. She’s extremely practical.

chickensouporwine · 21/07/2021 02:48

What's the adult child doing in terms of housework?

Aquamarine1029 · 21/07/2021 03:31

Your adult child should be helping significantly. I also highly recommend getting rid of ALL of your useless tat. We use 20% of the things we own 80% of the time... if it's not useful on a regular basis, get rid of it.

BunnyRuddington · 21/07/2021 04:30

What's the adult child doing in terms of housework?

I was just going to ask the same thing.

coronafiona · 21/07/2021 11:07

Get lots of storage.
Do a bit everyday
Make everyone help you
Lower your standards

It gets easier as they older!

FlowerArranger · 21/07/2021 18:01

No, no - do not get 'extra' storage!! As others suggested, be ruthless in your decluttering. Only keep stuff that is mandatory, essential or really useful. Plus things that truly give you joy.

Once you've done that, assess your storage needs. Maybe just get some cardboard boxes while you review what you want to put where. Most people find it easier to have stuff that's used daily or very frequently on view, rather than hidden away in cupboards. I also label all hidden away storage with contents.

New2ctc · 21/07/2021 18:19

I have a technique I call the Australia test. I had a friend who moved her family to Oz permanently. They had a shipping container and had to want to keep everything enough to fit inside it.
When I'm clearing out, or encouraging teenager to tidy, I ask, would it pass the Australia test? (Would you miss it if you never saw it again, like old school books etc).

Works a treat, really focuses the mind!
Two wooden spoons - pass one on! Three blue vests - give two away!

MangoBiscuit · 22/07/2021 15:48

I am also struggling. I kondo'd my old house, which was a fair bit bigger than this one, and had 12 years of crap built up for a family of four. I kept it tidy by myself, until exH and I divorced, and I eventually moved to my new house. I swore I wouldn't let it get to that sort of state again, but it's on it's way there already. Combination of a smaller house, a house move, lockdown, home schooling, WFH, getting cats, DP moving in, and a LOT of DIY projects.

I would love to Kondo again, but I don't have a spare room, or even a spare table that I could use to sort things on. I just don't have the space to shuffle things from one place to another. I know if won't get any better unless I declutter and ditch the things I don't need anymore, but that messy middle bit isn't physically possible if I want to live here while I do it!

I've just bought the kindle edition of the 2nd book @thelegohooverer linked. Hope it can help, otherwise I might just have to sleep in the garden for a week!

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