messybk8
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 22
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Post by messybk8 on Aug 18, 2008 18:36:30 GMT -5
Hi everyone... I found this site last night after googling something like "clean messy disgusting clutter bedroom"  I read a lot, and figured I'd join & introduce myself. I'm 22, a student, working full-time (to pay for school), live at home w/ parents. My mom's a neat freak, my dad's a pack rat. I would say most of "his" area of the house is level 1-2 squalor, sometimes he straightens but he always has too much stuff. Luckily for me, because my mom's neat, my only real problem is my bedroom. My bathroom's relatively empty and always clean, there is a bunch of stuff (boxes/furniture) in my hallway, but it is my dad's and hopefully will be getting sold/donated soon. Back to the bedroom situation...my room is HORRIBLE. For sure level 2, if there's like a level 2 1/2 squalor - that'd be it. No animal or human excrement, but just total mess, clutter, junk, papers, clothes, ALL OVER. It's been that way for the better part of...15 years, probably. Occasionally it will get cleaned, but before anything's really fully cleaned/organized...it's bad again. I moved out for a year (moved back home to save $/help parents w/ $) the room held much of my junk while I was gone, and I brought the rest back with me when I came back. I really NEED to get it cleaned and organized, not because I'm moving or anything, but because it's time! I'm an adult, I work sooo hard at everything, I do well in school, but this is like my huge secret. My best friends have never seen it, my own family rarely sees it. I hate being in there! I only go in there to sleep and change clothes. School starts in a week, it would be nice if I could actually STUDY in my own room this semester! I have some things I need, some organizational equipment (drawer thing for the closet because I'd like to get rid of my giant dresser after the room's cleared out, etc. I am more motivated than ever. I just hope I can actually get it done. Also, I'm SOOOO grateful to whoever runs this place. Because after last night, I don't feel quite so bad about my room, and I know that I can (and will) get it cleaned and be able to live my life without squalor. |
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Post by messymimi on Aug 18, 2008 20:39:45 GMT -5
Welcome, messybk8  , I'm glad you found us. I do hope you get to study in your room this semester. Anyone working her way through college has the determination to accomplish her dreams. Also, getting a handle on this problem now will save you many years of heartache (I say as on old lady). Let us know how we can help or encourage you. messymimi |
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queenb
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 19
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Post by queenb on Aug 18, 2008 20:41:50 GMT -5
hey bk - i was just as glad as you to find this forum too! My advice is try to get as much cleared out before school starts and if you can't get it all done before then, work on your room on the weekends! You are right you will feel a lot better being able to study in your room clutter free!
I start school on the 25th too - I need to get my room painted before then and I will be all set to go! Good luck to ya
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Post by crazycatlady on Aug 18, 2008 21:15:39 GMT -5
Welcome, MessyBK8! I'm glad that you found us. And how exciting for you to be able to learn these skills when you are still young! Just keep reading, and posting. You will get lots of help to find a way out of your mess, and find a happy medium, between your pack rat Dad and your neat freak Mom! 
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messybk8
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 22
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Post by messybk8 on Aug 18, 2008 23:48:21 GMT -5
Thanks everybody! I really appreciate it. That's the plan- to get as much done after work this week and this weekend as possible, and then to try to finish up during my free time after school starts. Because of my work schedule, I go to school for two hours three mornings a week, five hours two nights a week and take an online class. That gives me a few nights to work on it after my school stuff is finished (no way am I getting up any earlier than I have to, so working on it in the morning won't happen - but at least I admit that to myself now  ) and hopefully I won't have to work much on the weekends, so I will be able to concentrate on organizing and school. I also really want to paint my room - but obviously that's gonna have to wait until everything's cleaned up. |
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sarthbur
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 34
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Post by sarthbur on Aug 19, 2008 9:40:47 GMT -5
Good luck!
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Post by pegasus48 on Aug 19, 2008 12:20:11 GMT -5
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Post by creativechaos on Aug 20, 2008 11:02:16 GMT -5
messybk8, Welcome! If you find yourself getting really stuck and feeling overwhelmed by the mess, there are some great posts in these forums, and there is listzilla and working in 3s. Sometimes just making those baby steps give a good jump start. I start by picking up all obvious trash and throwing away all that I can when things get bad. That makes an instant improvement. Also, going for the "big" things and surfaces. Then I put away the things that I know I want or need to keep that have an obvious "home" (like clothes, I hang up). Having 3 or 4 empty boxes or tubs help too, with a few categories like "definitely keep", "donate and/ or discard", and "not sure". I find that simplifying down to a few categories helps. Then I am only looking at a few boxes that can be stacked neatly while I am not working on it, and it's really obvious what to do with the contents of those. If the mess is really bad, it's good to start with one corner and move out from there, and keep maintaining your gains as you go,m so you have something nice to look at while you are working; a cleared desk, for instance. Create a sorting area. Once you have that, you can prioritize what's important to you. Take breaks when you need to, pace yourself, drink lots of water. And post and get support. You can do it!
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