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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Sept 23, 2008 9:58:18 GMT -5
- I got my kitchen spick and span, along with my living room, then I just let it all go to h#*&. I don't know how to get going. Seems like anything I do just ends up back the same way. - Yes, it's amazing. Once we clean our homes, they don't magically stay clean by themselves. What is that about? There was a an amusing thread about that, called "I just cleaned this kitchen two years ago, why is it a mess now?" takeonestepatatime.proboards80.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1640I struggle with maintenance, too. The only thing that helps me is committing to do something for 10 minutes as SOON as I get home from work (the exact time I would NOT want to clean). For some reason, that helps me. - |
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hollymaid
New Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 99
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Post by hollymaid on Sept 23, 2008 11:07:21 GMT -5
Things that help me stay motavated....
1) Colored garbage bags. I use them to sort give away stuff, re-cycle stuff and garbage.
2) up beat music.
3)air freshener if the room smells nice I will stay in there longer.
4) lying to my self, Like ( I will only clean off the washer and dryer today. Then I say to myself that looks fantastic lets do just one load of laundry.)
5) Bribing myself If I get xyz done than I will get my self some great smelling bath soap or some other small thing.
6) I let myself use as much paper towel or cleaner as I need to get the job done. If I want to try a new product I let myself get it. I have to be careful with this one cause I tend to hoard cleaning products but not use them.
7) photo's of before and after so I can see the progress. I do not post them or print them I just have them just for me to see.
8) I bought an head set for my phone so I can talk to friends with my hands being free to clean. Worth its weight in gold to me. On my days off I like to re-connect with friends and family.
9) Amasty... very important. Sometimes I get over whelmed with the give away pile. Its to much effort to find someone to take it.
Re-cycling too. get to big sometimes
I let go of the guilt and just pitch out stuff that is still good but does not work for me in my life right now. I packed and UN-packed a set of dishes that were chipped and old that my grandmother gave me. They were useless... because of their condition. they had gold trim. but they were chipped. I kept those things for 10 years. Last time I moved My mother asked me why I was keeping them. she said I could toss them so I did.
10) not buying stuff... This is a hard one for me. I love sales! I totaly have to stay away from yard sales. Also, saying no to friends who want to give me stuff that they are no longer using. Kids clothes and stuff like that I do not need it. There was I time I did.
11) Practicing selfcare. Sometimes I only have one day off a week, I work hard at my job. I have 3 kids that need time and attention. I want to enjoy life, Look my best. and be happy. sometimes the house has to wait. Being tried and stressed out only adds to the problem.
Hope some of this helps
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Post by pegasus48 on Sept 23, 2008 12:32:46 GMT -5
Growing up in the '50's as I did, I was taught that once I started something, I had to finish it! Well, you know what that meant--I simply didn't start LOTS of things because I couldn't count on having the time or energy (mostly energy, in my case) to get it all done at one go. And don't forget,-- it all had to be done PERFECTLY, too! I'm still struggling to overcome these ingrained paralyzers. I can really, really relate to this. I have to continually remind myself that I can do things in babysteps and that things do not have to be perfect. Good enough is good enough. |
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Post by need2bfree on Sept 23, 2008 23:25:51 GMT -5
CourageouslyLion_SeeksSerenity, you hit the nail on the head when you said I was feeling mentally paralyzed. It's not about the tv or any other outside influence, it's all in my head. I know once I can get passed that I can get things done, it's just that sometimes I feel backed into a corner. Everyone wants to complain about the mess but no one wants to help get it clean or keep it clean. I tried the pick up ten pieces of trash thing with my kids in their room, didn't work. So frustrating trying to pick up after six other people, four of whom are adults and the other two are teens. It just feels so self defeating!
Funny thing is we used to have the house clean. I mean REALLY CLEAN!! so clean we used have partys and sleepovers. I took pictures of the house one time, just went room to room with the camara taking pic's. The kids wanted to know why I was taking pictures of a clean empty house, I remember my reply was, I like seeing m house clean, never know when it might not look like this. How ironic that a year and a half later, here I am!
So yes I have a history of messy/clean behavior. I have a real hard time with maintence. It seems that once I get it how I want it, slowly over time I start to sabatoge myself and start collecting junk and the messy starts taking over again and I loose my foothold on clean. I wish I could end this cycle, it's so hurtful.
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Post by need2bfree on Sept 23, 2008 23:37:53 GMT -5
I've decided to get my pictures of my clean house out and see if that doesn't get me moving, oh, and I also bought myself a radio so the music can help motivate me ( this always helps  ). My two teens have decided that they would like to have friends over again and have offered to help clean (YAH!!!). After I get the house in order, I still have issues with a patio, garage and storage unit filled with junk, so I'll have to tackle that later. Most of that stuff will go to the Salvation Army, as they pick up when I make an appointment, I just have to go through it all, ughhhhhhhhh!! Wish us luck! |
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Post by Alexandra on Sept 24, 2008 17:22:43 GMT -5
Been there, done that!
Part of my problem is, where do I put my husband's things? He seems to be quite the pack-rat. And I'm not a neat person myself.
All I can do right now is work on things I CAN do. For example, I have almost all my dishes done. It was nice to be able to cook and not do the "wash as you go."
I have a bit of clutter. Not quite a level 1. But sometimes I sit down, wonder where to begin, then think about something else and forget about it! Frustrating.
Then I'm having hot flashes. I'm 35 and wondering if I'm about ready to go through that change of life.
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