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Post by doobyduck on Jul 8, 2012 5:10:56 GMT -5
do a little in each room gradually to get all to maintenance?
I have ADD and it seems particularly bad just now, I'm finding it tough to think straight and get focused...
I think I'd find it easier to have one room looking fine, then work on the next, rather than try to do a little in each room bit by bit. Which room should I begin with? I'm choosing between kitchen, bathroom, my bedroom or the living room ? Where would you start?
Or is this a bad plan and I should do something in each room first?
Ughh I hope my post is making sense!
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Post by catherina on Jul 8, 2012 5:47:01 GMT -5
It does make sense, and I have the same problem of deciding where to start. I think the idea of doing one room at a time is more rewarding, because you can see the result of all your hard work. Unfortunately that's very easy advice to give, but not to follow.
Which room would be easiest for you to tidy, and least unpleasant, and can you think of a reward for when you've finished? Like I will start off if I'm doing the kitchen by promising to make myself a cake, or a nice meal at the end of it, or having a hot soak in the bath after doing the bathroom. (it rarely works, but it at least gets me motivated to start).
I find if you try and do a little in each room, it's really dispiriting, because I can't notice any difference overall. But I guess it's whatever wors for you?
Good luck!
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Post by downandout on Jul 8, 2012 5:55:04 GMT -5
i would do the one room because doing a little bit in each you may end up just churning your stuff around. as for which room? well everyone has their own ideas about what room is most important to them so take that into account. but like Catherina said choose an easy room to do. that way you will build confidence and it may give you motivation to continue. whatever you do dont start with the worst room in the house! good luck to you  |
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Post by doobyduck on Jul 8, 2012 5:58:07 GMT -5
Catherina, hello nice to 'meet' you. I'm in England too.
What you've written makes so much sense, it's so good to see results and yes I have felt rather dispirited if I try to do a little here and there.
I should start on the bathroom because it's tiny and I know from past experience that I can get it looking ok in about an hour. Or my bedroom....
In most rooms, I'm between a level 1.5 to level 2 but struggling to make progress from here.
I will get there!
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Post by doobyduck on Jul 8, 2012 6:00:30 GMT -5
Thanks downandout, yes, that describes me perfectly stuff just gets churned around if i don't focus on one area.
I will start in either the bathroom or the bedroom. I think. My two worst rooms are my home office and a spare room upstairs ..I will save those for later .
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Post by catherina on Jul 8, 2012 6:15:31 GMT -5
Nice to 'meet' you too  I would definitely start with the bathroom if you can get it done so quickly. It will give you a sense of accomplishment when it's looking nice. I want to start doing mine today, but it's full of laundry, which I can't do because I can't get it dry because of the foul weather. |
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Jul 8, 2012 10:05:04 GMT -5
i was watching TV last week, a talk show, and they had on a professional organizer who gave "hints". Can't recall the hints, but of course, you can find plenty here at Stepping, or any good organizing book. What struck me was he admitted he had OCD, a neurotic condition, and he used his condition to help him organize. If he can use OCD, then, heck, we can use our ADD. What I'm saying is, whatever your mental state, channel it towards making your home pleasant and helpful to you.
As for where to start, take an idea from Flylady. She says shine your sink, start in the kitchen. The kitchen is the center of my home, where we eat, read the newspaper, take a coffe break, look at mail, bring in groceries from shopping. It makes sense (to me) to start at the sink, move to the countertops, then the cabinets, then the floor. Keep a waste basket or garbage can in the kitchen and empty it every time it gets full. Then move to another room, the bathroom is super. It's part of shared living space, everyone goes in several times a day. Keep it clean. Every time you shower, ckean the tub and swish the toilet. Hope this helps.
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Post by messymimi on Jul 8, 2012 15:27:25 GMT -5
No two journeys out of squalor look the same.
Each of us has to experiment with different things and come up with the way, or combination of ways, that work best in our own lives.
No matter which way you choose, if it's not working, try the other. Do the one that makes the most sense for you and that works.
There is no wrong way except to completely stop and give up.
messymimi
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Post by Ally on Jul 8, 2012 15:39:15 GMT -5
Dooby, Welcome!
If you can focus on getting a whole room done, do it!
When I look at a whole room, It looks like an overwhelmingly huge job, and I end up doing NOTHING. Paralysis sets in.
So I pick an area and work there for 10 or 15 minutes and then take a break and then go to another area. Progress is slow, but it's better than doing nothing. Sometimes even 15 minutes seems like a long time. Then I will do a 10 item toss. I'll go into a room and as quickly as possible pick up 10 items and throw them away, usually after that, I have the motivation I need to do more.
You have to do what works for you.
Ally
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Post by dtesposito on Jul 8, 2012 19:04:22 GMT -5
I agree that focusing on one area rather than random bits here and there helps motiivate you.
I don't know how bad your place is, but for homes that have a HUGE amount of work to do, I think there's an option in between being completely random and committing to doing one whole room. That would be choosing the area in each room that will make the most difference to your everyday life. So if you haven't been able to cook because your counters and surfaces are completely full, you can plan to clean out a cooking area--which might be one counter to prepare stuff on and the stove to do the actual cooking. Then in the bedroom, if you have stuff on your bed and can't use it to sleep (or on 2/3 of your bed so you can't sleep comfortably) cleaning off the bed and a walkway next to it could be one project.
That approach won't give you the visual appeal of one completely clean room, but it will make a major difference in your everyday life which can really be motivating. It also might be easier than committing to a whole room, especially if the room contains cabinets full of stuff that will be difficult to process, it can be disheartening to spend hours making decisions about things that are behind a closed cabinet door. Sometimes it's better to do the easier parts of each room first so you feel you've made some progress.
Mimi is right, different ways will work for different people, the important thing is not to give up if one way doesn't work. Give one method a fair try (don't give up after a couple of hours of work) and if it doesn't inspire you, try another.
Diane
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Post by messymommy on Jul 8, 2012 20:42:36 GMT -5
I did one room at a time when I started. It gave me the motivation to keep going. Having one room that is clean and clutter-free as an oasis to return to while working on the second room is so inspiring. I did the kitchen and then the bathroom as my start since having those 2 rooms functional and clean are healthier for us. If the kitchen is functional, you can eat at home rather than fast food. If the bathroom is clean and functional, it is easier to keep our bodies clean and functional! LOL
The first rooms go faster than the others because you have to balance working on the next room with maintaining the room you've already cleaned. So the first rooms are critical to success, in my opinion. They are what keep us going.
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Post by tryn2findme on Jul 8, 2012 20:48:57 GMT -5
Hi, i am new to the boards and have made the decision to take back control of my life! I started in the kitchen, not to much trash but dirty dishes and no dishwasher. Started at the sink and working on the counters. Gotta get control of this. Good luck to you.
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Post by DJ on Jul 8, 2012 21:16:40 GMT -5
the most effective method i've found is the BDG method.. never going anywhere with empty hands or standing idle and focused efforts on a specific area.... the two aren't mutually exclusive |
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Post by sunshineshouse on Jul 8, 2012 21:59:13 GMT -5
Hi doobyduck I agree that it somewhat depends on how cluttered or squalory your place is. My house was hugely cluttered, so I have found it practical to get a room about 80% done and then move to another room. The reason is I know I will find stuff in subsequent rooms that will need to go there. I didn't want to get things perfect, only to find I had to rearrange things. "Good enough for now" is something new for me. If it were less stuff and more cleaning of surfaces and removal of trash needed, I would do a room at a time. |
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lydia
New Member
Posts: 67
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Post by lydia on Jul 9, 2012 5:13:48 GMT -5
I like to have the kitchen clean and functional as a starting point. After that completing a set number of tasks in each room or spending a set amount of time works for me. I don't feel I can start on anything else if there are dishes to be washed and the counters are cluttered. Once I've got surfaces clear and clean and the floor mopped even if there are other things to do, like clean the cooker and fridge, it looks OK and I feel motivated to do more. Although the units are old and shabby it's a very light and bright room with a large window and white walls and I feel lighter and brighter when it looks clean and clear. Because this is always the first room I tackle it doesn't take long.
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