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Post by Evelyn on Jul 27, 2019 18:21:57 GMT -5
And partly because I just need to be here.  As for CRUNCH TIME: In ten days, I HAVE to go visit my mom. No if, ands, or buts: it's her 90th birthday, and I gotta be there for that. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to go - I do very much want to be there. The thing is that my neighbor will have to come in to take care of my cat, and I can't have her tripping over the clutter and breaking her neck. And it is neck-breaking-risk bad. All the doors and entries are partially blocked, the floor is overflowing (can a floor can overflow? Maybe it's more like the floors are are lined with little fountains that keep geysering up clutter). All the places where one could tuck a bit of clutter away are full of clutter that has previously been tucked away. My motivation is so low it's at journey-to-the-center-of-the-earth levels. I just want to sit and want stupid tv, or sleep, or grouse to the empty air about how cluttered my house is and how I can't find anything and it's all too awful and overwhelming. (hunh - reading that over makes me wonder if I'm a bit depressed) When I do go to do something, I usually start with washing the dishes, and then it's time to makes something to eat, and then it's time to sit down and eat it, and then I have more dishes to wash. I have actually made some small bits of progress, but it still feels like I'm just eternally struggling to get the dishes done. So, on that happy note....  Anyway, I'm back, and I'm glad to see you're all mostly still here.   |
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Post by phoenixcat on Jul 27, 2019 18:27:51 GMT -5
Hey! Any chance you can take the dishes out of the equation until you return? That way the stuff that is cleaned - stays clean and put away. Just thinking microwave suppers, bagged salads, take out - whatever is budget friendly and maybe paper plates. Keep it down to just a couple forks/spoons a day? Sometimes "not adding" is half the battle!! You can do it!! PC |
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Post by creativechaos on Jul 27, 2019 19:16:20 GMT -5
hi Evelyn; welcome back! that's the great thing about this forum; e're always here to say welcome back! i agree with phoenixcat on minimizing use of dishes! ugh; the dish/food cycle can be all encompassing! sometimes i think i spend over half my waking hours cooking and cleaning up every time i make food; it can be so discouraging when there is soooo much more to do that never seems to get done. so the key is minimizing the messes around eating. one solution, if you do cook, is to make casseroles or big pots of soup or stew or something you can eat for several days in a row (or more) and/or freeze portions for future days. you may have to sacrifice one day for this but then you will have eats for days to come. also have plenty of easy snacks on hand; nuts, apples, cheese and the like. meanwhile, from THIS Queen of Resistance: i think we all understand the resistance and paralysis that clutter makes us feel! books on tape or a nice internet radio station are great ways to feel like you're getting entertainment while you work. and then there's making a game out of it (my favorite thing to approach things when i don't know what to do next). things like: the dice game, pick up and put away (or box up) 10 or whatever number things fast, 5 minute "room rescue", scavenger hunts, etc. ANYTHING to make it more fun. you may not have time to sort as you go, if you're anything like me (hoarder) but a loose "like with like" sort into boxes will get you partway into beginning the sorting, for when you get home. the boxes can be neatly stacked into a corner where they're not in the way of your neighbor or your cat. you don't say how tolerant your animal care neighbor is of messes, or what they've seen/how much they know. if they're tolerant, focus on clear traffic paths and access/egress, a decently functional bathroom and kitchen, and easy-to-get access for your pet care supplies. (food, water, a place to cuddle) |
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Post by joyinvirginia on Jul 27, 2019 20:40:30 GMT -5
Welcome back! I agree that using disposable plates and utensils until your trip, and maybe when you come back, would help decrease your tasks. Can you focus on the areas the cat sitter must be in, and shut the doors to other rooms? Do a quick pick up of obvious trash one day. Do a crisis stash and dash using boxes or bags that you don't have time to sort or toss right now.
Hope you can get a lot done before you have to leave!
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Post by jlove on Jul 27, 2019 20:58:26 GMT -5
Welcome back Evelyn. A couple of "tricks" that help me when I'm having trouble getting started, one is to do three thngs everytime I get up. These can be super easy small things, but it helps to start building momentum. Do one thing, ok what can I do next, ok what next? The other is setting a timer when I feel super resistant. Sometimes it is only for 5 minutes, but it helps to get some progress going when it feels too overwhelming to take anything on.
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Post by Tea on Jul 28, 2019 9:57:13 GMT -5
Not that I don't want to encourage cleaning/de-squaloring but have you considered boarding your cat to take away the stress of neighbours coming in? Obviously we're all here because we want to support each other in our tidying habits but even when my home is clean and tidy I still board my pets because I've never been comfortable with people coming into my home when I'm not there. I'm hoping to get over that in the near future. Happy Birthday to your mom! |
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Post by def6 on Jul 28, 2019 17:10:48 GMT -5
Oh Yay!  Another panic party. I don't know about you but I can hardly get going without enormous amounts of pressure or something huge looming. I love the clutter fountain reference. Welcome back! |
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Post by ohblondie on Aug 5, 2019 9:43:23 GMT -5
Just checking in to see how you are doing with your "Crunch Time" deadline.
We are still cheering you on!
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