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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 17, 2016 9:07:33 GMT -5
Hi all, because I am extremely prone to back-sliding, I want to start a new habit of mindless maintaining. I need to get out of the 'all or nothing' mindset.
Each day, first thing, I plan to walk around the house and tidy, pick up and put away anything that is obviously out of place from the day before. There is no set time or pathway, just the action of doing something 'to maintain'.
This morning: cat tasks, carried a cup and bowl to the sink, put away slippers from last night, carried tissues to bathroom, straightened throw and couch pillows....
It only took a few minutes and was painless. The plan is to do something to 'straighten' each morning before I do much of anything else. And if the impulse strikes me throughout the day, to do it again. Or not. Whatever works. But at least once each day.
Please feel free to join in. Make whatever plan for yourself that you think will work.
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Post by itsybitsy on Nov 17, 2016 9:41:36 GMT -5
Great idea for a thread, BetsyMarie, I find regular picking up habit has really helped my awareness over the last couple of months. Awareness of how many things I use and need to move during the day! It starts to bother me when I see something lying out of place and know that it only takes a minute to put it back in its usual spot. Examples: scissors pulled out of drawer, used for a few seconds, but not returned to drawer. coffee cup returned to kitchen, but not rinsed and put in dishwasher. towel after shower not properly hung up to dry. keys when returning home not put in their usual spot. Having this one designated spot for keys has really reduced my stress levels when getting ready to leave the house again.
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 18, 2016 10:22:02 GMT -5
itsybitsy , what you describe is what I am thinking. In the past, I've let all the little things just slide usually without even noticing them - till there is a massive mess, and 'too much to deal with now'.
This morning: -cat feeding area -carried cups to kitchen -carried empty water bottles to refilling area -straightened couch and pillows -put away fluff accumulated next to computer -picked up stuff off kitchen floor and vacuumed -cleared stove-top -closed kitchen cabinets and drawers.
Doing daily tasks:
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 19, 2016 10:26:04 GMT -5
This morning: -took empty water bottles to refill area -cleared stovetop -straightened rug and couch -re-tossed throw -picked up a few bits off the floor -cleared area in front of microwave
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 20, 2016 9:31:41 GMT -5
This morning: -laundry tasks -put away frypan from stovetop -picked up bits from the floor -wiped down bathroom sink -distributed water bottles, and carried back empties -turned off porch light
add: -put away after breakfast -wiped down in front of microwave
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Post by itsybitsy on Nov 20, 2016 21:05:44 GMT -5
I have started to maintain bathrooms by only using cleaning products on the bathroom surfaces 1x/week (Mondays).
For maintenance, I have a large cloth (like the larger bartender's size) and get the water quite warm, almost hot. I run the cloth over the counters first, then the sinks, then the faucets, then the toilet rim (rinsing in-between as needed). Final step after a good hot rinse is to wipe the floor area around the toilet, using my foot. The cloth is small enough to get into all the tight areas behind the toilet as well. I find with regular (daily once-over), it's very quick. Same with the toilet: just use the brush at least 1x per day, plain water only. I find not having to drag out the cleaning products and just use them once per week is enough. On Monday's, it is mirrors, sinks, counters, toilets, toilet swish, all with various cleaning products.
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 21, 2016 11:02:06 GMT -5
That sounds like a nice routine, itsybitsy. I'm hoping to evolve a few of those myself. This morning: -picked up a few larger bits from the floors -put slippers back in bedroom -wiped and put away egg pan -neatened area in front of microwave -put a few things into recycling -closed all kitchen drawers and doors
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Post by itsybitsy on Nov 21, 2016 12:04:33 GMT -5
Thanks BetsyMarie, I don't dare say it's a habit yet, as I was cleaning this morning, I noticed quite a few more things not in their home. But I've been doing some hobby work and lots of cooking, so that's part of life. I do notice more, though, while cleaning than I do during the week. It impedes my ability to clean quickly. Hope that motivates me to PEEP more frequently and maintain!
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 22, 2016 10:41:31 GMT -5
Yes, itsybitsy I am also just noticing more. I get up, and look around for simple things to 'set right'. And the more I look, the more I see. But I don't hold myself to unreasonable standards to do everything first thing in the morning. I'm thinking part of maintaining is just noticing things that need doing instead of being automatically clutter blind.
This morning: -opened windows and blinds -closed kitchen cabinets/drawers -brought dishes to sink -put frypan away -straightened couch/throw -took out last minute trash and recy -relined bathroom wastebasket
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 23, 2016 11:32:05 GMT -5
It's not always easy getting started with this, but I do make myself start. And once started, it gets much easier. MFA. Motivation follows action.
I want to live in a house that anyone can walk into at any time, and it appears mostly neat, but not necessarily immaculate. I want mental freedom.
This morning: -picked up bits from the floor -put all scissors into new cup -put away stuff that had accumulated on small kitchen cart in less than 24 hours (!) -vacuumed kitchen, hallway, and other areas. (Love the light weight vacuum with the really long cord.) -put all dirty dishes next to sink -quick-wiped stovetop
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 24, 2016 10:16:03 GMT -5
This morning: -swiped toilet -minor floor pick up -checked kitchen surfaces - good enough -put away unneeded part of project Happy Thanksgiving
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 25, 2016 8:46:54 GMT -5
Friday morning: -got dishes ready to wash -policed kitchen counters/stovetop -straightened rugs and couch throw -put some things away. -put a couple kitchen things in charity pile Not much resistance today. I'm liking a more tidy home. At least the parts that have been decluttered.
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 26, 2016 11:14:49 GMT -5
Saturday morning. Started the day feeling resentful of having to pick up anything. But I knew I'd have to check in here. And while anything or nothing would be OK, I knew I needed to keep working on a new habit regularly. I've also come to think that doing at least 3 little things would suffice the responsibility. So I started, and as usual did more than the minimum. And, as usual, once started, the tasks were painless. This morning: -picked up misc cat toys from floor -put away a couple things in the kitchen -closed a couple kitchen cabinets and drawers. -straightened pillows and throw on couch -put away breakfast things -put a bag of give-aways by garage door.
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 27, 2016 11:27:15 GMT -5
I decided this morning after staying in bed later than usual (so I wouldn't have to 'pick up', 'work' immediately), that doing it any time in the earlier morning would be OK. And I did. I think this will be a good adjustment, and not the top of the slippery slope. This morning: -cleared stovetop -put dirty dishes next to sink -put away after fixing breakfast -straightened new craftsy project table: brought waste basket to the area, tossed some trash, reorganized tools, put away things I was done with, vacuumed table top of bits. In the past, I never, ever would have done this. Now the work space is inviting for later.
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Post by BetsyMarie on Nov 28, 2016 10:42:36 GMT -5
This morning: -vacuumed kitchen rug, and family room area that had lots of project paper bits -cleared stove top and 'good enough' wipedown. -'good enough' wipedown in front of microwave -closed a few kitchen drawers and cabinet doors. -straightened rug -picked up a couple things from the floor -put away all breakfast things
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