Hi guys!

So, my house is a complete mess. I grew up in a messy house with a dad who struggled with depression and had a hard time cleaning. I suppose I've inherited that as well. :/

Does anyone have any ideas on how to just get started and get things done? When I think about everything that needs to get done, I get overwhelmed and make no progress.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I know my mood would improve if I had a decently clean home.

[Stevieschild]

I was sick, debilitated, for several years. I have a large family, but my children were very young when I became ill. I understand how it can get out of control. One of the hardest things I had to do was forgive myself if there were dirty dishes in the sink, as long as my kids were taken care of. My house was a mess for a very long time. But, as I was able, I would start in the kitchen. Then, I would set one day for nothing but laundry...not even the kitchen. And, so on. Gradually, I whittled it away. A former neat freak, I guess I did come to convince myself that, on scale, I had more important things. Still, I, like you, have a better outlook when my home is decent. It just isn't the highest thing on the list for me anymore. Try batching it, one thing at a time. Good luck.

[SilverNeurotic]

Start small. Focus on one area at a time do you don't get over whelmed. Maybe enlist help from a friend or family member.

[LucyG]

Get out your kitchen timer, and set it for 15 minutes. Now do something. Start with the kitchen and bathroom--wash dishes, wipe off the counters, put dishes away, clean the toilet, clean the tub, clean the bathroom sink, etc., etc. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done in a short period of time if you just focus on it. And it isn't overwhelming as it's only a few minutes.

When the kitchen and bathroom are in good shape, vacuum, dust, do a load of laundry, straighten things up. Again, just do something for 15 minutes.

If you do this a few times a day, you'll be amazed at how easy it will be to get your house cleaned up.

One other thing. Do all your dishes [or get them in the dishwasher] before you go to bed. Getting up to a clean kitchen is a good start to the day, and you won't start off behind the 8 ball so to speak.

[PurplePanda999]

Set a timer for 20 minutes (or some other doable amount) and clean one area for that amount of time. What I like to do is put on an album I like and clean to that. Note, I haven't been doing this lately, so I guess I'm preaching to myself. My energy level is almost nil.

[TishaBuv]

Start by just cleaning the most germy things like the toilet, dishes, needed laundry.

[newtobipolar]

Start small, like others have said. I am BP, so most in my life is black and white. For me, when depression hits, I used to have to clean the whole house or nothing. It was hard to get motivated for THAT task!!

It took some getting used to, but now I do a little at a time. It keeps me happier and more sane. It also makes me feel good that my kids live in a cleaner, more organized home. It will never be perfect (2 boys, 3 dogs, and a 47yo kid), but trying by doing small things, really, REALLY makes you feel better. It may be hard at first, but make yourself do it. Use your kids as your motivation. It gets easier, because you will see if makes you feel better

Originally Posted by newtobipolar

Start small, like others have said. I am BP, so most in my life is black and white. For me, when depression hits, I used to have to clean the whole house or nothing. It was hard to get motivated for THAT task!!

It took some getting used to, but now I do a little at a time. It keeps me happier and more sane. It also makes me feel good that my kids live in a cleaner, more organized home. It will never be perfect (2 boys, 3 dogs, and a 47yo kid), but trying by doing small things, really, REALLY makes you feel better. It may be hard at first, but make yourself do it. Use your kids as your motivation. It gets easier, because you will see if makes you feel better

Thanks, but I don't have kids. Unless you count my boyfriend and cat, of course. :P

Get rid of anything you haven't worn or used in a year. You have to keep your "stuff" clean, so why have it if you don't need it?

All you have to do is pick an area and bag what can go to Goodwill.

Then pick any room in your home and start on that one. I have found these cleaning wipes that work on any surface to be well worth the money when those times are such that I can't find the tv... :-/
Just walk around wiping....

[Sula B]

Start small hon - trust me -one thing at a time. Make a deal with yourself to start with one room - lets say the kitchen - start with the dishes, then the sink then the countertops, put everything away off the countertops. If that's enough for day one so be it. Next day - clean out the fridge and give a good clean in and out - even pull it out and do behind it. If that's enough for day 2 so be it. Day 3 do the storage cupboards - throw out all the out of date crap and clean the shelves and then put what's left back - that's enough for day 3.

Honey I've been there as have so many of us - do it in small bites. The surprising thing will be how good you feel about the bit you have completed - it only makes you feel more confident about the next bit - next thing you know you're planning the next room you're going to do. Be ruthless - if its out of date chuck it, if its ragged chuck it, if it doesn't fit or no one plays with it anymore chuck it. All of a sudden you're on a roll.

Best of luck and I look forward to hearing how you've gone.

I like this website (excuse the language)



and app that goes along with the ideals haves you set a task in 15-20 min intervals. I've fallen in similar patterns when depressed and its helped

Edit- the censor wont allow the link but it is called Un(f bomb) your habitat if you want to google it

[0vertheRainb0w]

Choosing one room a day might help so you don't feel too overwhelmed trying to tackle everything at once. Also, it doesn't have to be the entire room. You could just dust a little. Taking it a day at a time will help a routine of cleaning get started and not feel like a giant task .

[AllHeart]

I bought a bunch of storage totes and shoved them full of stuff, in each room. That cleared space and opened things up enough to motivate me to clean and organize everything else. Now I am going back and sorting through the totes. I started out a little at a time. Very, very little. Now that my house is lighter, I feel lighter, too and so I am able to bust out a lot more than a little. Good luck!