[boogiesmash]

So had another appointment with my t today and again tackled the problem of being in bed all day. Yesterday was bad and literally slept a whole day away. So she dug out some mitigating problems that contribute to my staying in bed: body image, house is a mess( my long couch has clutter on it so can't sit there), living room layout (need to change, I, not a fan on how I changed it and want to go back to more open), financial (now that car is paid off and still getting bunch of ot isn't much of a problem).
My way of tackling it was to clean up so I can have someone over and help me change the layout back to it was. I've had this plan for over a year and a half. My t said to hire a cleaning person just once to get it back to clean. I'm really embarrassed of anyone seeing this mess.
I guess embarrassment runs all around. My body image, my apt, my mess.

Anyone have any methods or words of encouragement??

[99fairies]

I say hire someone, this is what they do and I'm sure they have seen a lot worse. no need to be ashamed.

[Sunflower123]

I agree with 99fairies. They've seen it before and you'll feel so much better.

[Unrigged64072835]

Set a timer for 15 minutes and work on one section of the place. If you can do more than 15 minutes, great! If you just squeak by on 15 minutes, then at least you did it.

I was in DBT and one member had to assemble furniture for her kids before she got them back. She was really overwhelmed and I told her, "Just do one room and one piece of furniture at a time." She was relieved that she didn't have to do it all at once.

[wildflowerchild25]

I agree with the timer idea. I've used that many times when depressed and it works. I think you need to face your anxieties head on and force yourself to do things. I know it's much harder than it sounds. inknow you want to do things, you just don't know how. It's that first step of getting up. Try to figure out a reward system for yourself. Like fifteen minutes out of bed allows you forty five minutes in bed. Then you can reduce the time spent in bed gradually.

As for words of encouragement, you've definitely got this. You can do this, you can start living again. You have a friend close by in me, and you have lots of friends here rooting for you. We can do this! You're great. You're not any of those negative things you think about yourself. I believe in you. Talk to me any time.

[Guiness187055]

Originally Posted by Fharraige

Set a timer for 15 minutes and work on one section of the place. If you can do more than 15 minutes, great! If you just squeak by on 15 minutes, then at least you did it.

I was in DBT and one member had to assemble furniture for her kids before she got them back. She was really overwhelmed and I told her, "Just do one room and one piece of furniture at a time." She was relieved that she didn't have to do it all at once.

That is great advice!!

[bioChE]

Get up and go, boogie. I know you can. Remember also that you are the only one who can tackle these. Other than the cleaning, it's all up to you. That said, you don't have to do it all at once. Go for the small victories.

[~Christina]

I have used the 15 min timer for Yearssssssssssssssssssssss !

Anyone can do something for 15 mins.

Make small attainable goals , Dont expect everything to improve at one time.

You can do this

[bukowski06]

For cleaning, since this is an activity that I don't find enjoyable at all... I try to make a game plan before like songs to listen to, a cleanser that smells good, and an organizational system with clear boxes so I can put stuff away but I can still find it easily.

[GGChar]

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!

[ShanDoll]

Any chance you have a neat freak friend? I really enjoy cleaning and organizing... especially other people's homes for some reason. I have helped a few friends out who were feeling stuck, and it was win-win. I got to do something that brings me up and bit, and they got help with their home.

If you don't, I think there are some great suggestions in here... especially the 15-minute timer. Sometimes when I very depressed and can't bring myself to clean I do that, and often I end up doing more than I thought.