It's interesting to read this. My mom was just asking me why I don't have someone over to clean. I'm too embarrassed. My friends all have "normal" homes where everything is in its place; my house is full of clutter. It's really hard for me to get a handle on things and not get distracted to the point where I make a bigger mess!

When I clean, I listen to a book on tape. It makes it much less dreary. I try to focus on a section at a time or one task at a time. Unload/load dishwasher. Clean papers etc..... I can see tiny bits of lasting progress when I clean out 1 drawer or 1 cabinet at a time.

I have stopped blaming myself though. That's been really good to let go of beating myself up about it. I trained my kids not to help so now we are all re-adjusting our roles!