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Post by cricket on Jul 12, 2023 7:58:51 GMT -5
I agonized about what to call this. A site search tells me the term "round robin" hasn't been used previously, but if I missed something, I can delete and try another name. I've just stalled out on my dig-out, and needed to try a new approach, shake things up a little. My idea is to spend fifteen minutes in each room daily through the month of July. Like making the rounds, touching base. I'll do whatever strikes my fancy in each room--tidy, organize, clean, whatever I'm moved to do to make the room look a little better. My hope is that by the end of July, every room will be normalized (not perfect.) Just normal enough that I don't feel so ashamed. I'll take fifteen minute breaks between rooms (at least), which is really going to slow the process down, but is better than not doing it at all. Hopefully I'll get my endurance up as I go and need fewer breaks. I've done this the last two days, and so far I haven't been able to do all the rooms on my list in a single day. I just run out of energy. Yesterday I started up where I left off the day before, and I'll do the same again today so that each room gets the same attention. So, imperfect execution, but I am seeing benefit. Small but visible improvements, and emotionally I seem more connected to the house, more aware, and more comfortable really seeing it. My goal today is to actually get through all seven rooms on my list. (I'm not including the basement or exterior for now, or other people's bedrooms.) That's less than two hours total, really not a lot to ask of myself. stairs/entryliving room/dining roomsecond bathroomkitchen- bedroom
- master bathroom
- office
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Post by goldenthreads on Jul 12, 2023 8:02:21 GMT -5
Great idea! I'm taking a long weekend away, but hope to join you next week.
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Post by def6 on Jul 12, 2023 9:25:47 GMT -5
Congrats cricket for "making the rounds" at your house. I will give this a try too. Maybe I will find some items to include in trash pick up tomorrow...which would be awesome!! I totally "get" the more connected feeling as we work in our homes...as I fluctuate between connected and ignoring.  and endurance..Yes please! |
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Post by def6 on Jul 12, 2023 12:13:36 GMT -5
I just started at the beginning for me: In the kitchen, I cleared off 1 countertop for 15 minutes . Yes!
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Post by cricket on Jul 12, 2023 12:19:14 GMT -5
I'm really struggling today. I did 15 in my entry way and sorted out the overloaded coat rack, moved heavy coats to our tiny coat closet and organized the rest. Now I'm doing the living room. Just fifteen.
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Post by cricket on Jul 12, 2023 12:58:04 GMT -5
I did the living room--tidied and vacuumed. Sat down to rest and got the urge to do the downstairs bathroom, so I got back up.
Pulled everything out of the jumbled up vanity, threw some stuff away and organized the rest. Didn't have time to actually clean under there. Will probably pull it all out to wipe down next time.
Feeling a little better. Resting now, then it's the kitchen. I'll probably focus on the laundry room right off the kitchen, since I didn't list it separately.
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Post by def6 on Jul 12, 2023 15:12:16 GMT -5
I went outside between rain showers to pick up some Yard clutter and trash.15 minutes Took a clean rag with hot water to my bathroom that is thankfully empty to clean up and used baking soda in the bowl.15 minutes Took throws from living room to wash and replace with clean, smaller ones that hopefully won't end up on the floor.15 minutes  |
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Post by def6 on Jul 13, 2023 9:59:59 GMT -5
Thank you cricket for your 15 minute circuit cleaning challenge. When I decide on an area to "pounce" on. I try to evaluate it and go over it in my head. I'm about to pick up where I left off in the kitchen. Plus, I'll make a cup of tea at the same time.  |
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Post by def6 on Jul 13, 2023 10:19:32 GMT -5
Done!  |
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Post by cricket on Jul 13, 2023 11:47:46 GMT -5
WTG, def6!
I like to try new challenges, new ways to think about the same old thing, to trick my brain into giving me some of that novelty energy. But the downside of making a new challenge is that you've made up "rules," and you risk feeling like you are failing when you don't check all the boxes.
I'm trying really hard to focus on the positives, the visible changes I'm making, and not dwell on the fact I haven't yet hit every single room in the same day. I tell myself that the circular nature of this challenge means I'll get there eventually and it's all good.
But today, I'm totally doing the whole circuit!
Not quite ready to start, but wanted to establish today's intention.
bedroom
master bathroom
office
entry, stairs
living room
downstairs bathroom
kitchen
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Post by def6 on Jul 13, 2023 18:40:37 GMT -5
Way to go cricket I also dusted my living room, swish n swiped my bathroom and did rounds of laundry. We are eating leftovers so whoohoo for that. |
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Post by catcats on Jul 14, 2023 12:08:31 GMT -5
cricket ----I love your idea ! Even if you can't do all of the rooms in one day, sooner or later, you will get them all. I am not ready to try this yet because I am already committed, in my own mind, to doing some other things, but when I do, it may only be 10 minutes in each room. Congratulations on thinking up this really good idea ! And def6 , good for you for jumping right in too !! catcats
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Post by def6 on Jul 17, 2023 10:52:04 GMT -5
This challenge has helped me do a lot of work in a little amount of time. This will be my 3rd 15 minute challenge in my kitchen to help improve th visual clutter.
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Post by cricket on Jul 17, 2023 13:31:42 GMT -5
Def6, I'm so happy it's working for you! I haven't done as much as I'd hoped, but it's absolutely helping here.
I took the weekend off, and am trying again today. It never seems the right time--like I just took a walk and really need to shower and put on fresh clothes now instead. It always seems impossible to start my 15s.
But maybe I can do 15 in the bathroom before I shower since I'll be in there anyway? And I guess I might as well do the bedroom first, since it's on the list above the bathroom and I'll be in there, too.
One of my best hacks for my executive disfunction is saying "I might as well" to bypass brain areas that are experiencing signaling issues.
When I'm frozen and I just can't seem to do the thing I want to do and need to do, it doesn't mean I have some deep psychological reason. Or that I'm *** and don't really want to do it.
It just means the mysterious-to-me process that regulates signaling between neurons in that particular patch of my frontal cortex is overwhelmed, like traffic lights going on the fritz, and traffic (my thoughts and my ability to act) has come to as standstill when I try to push it through that particular part of brain that means "do my 15s" to me.
But other parts of my frontal lobe are experiencing less traffic and are working fine. So maybe I can't possibly do my 15s today. That patch of brain is experiencing gridlock and nothing is moving there.
But I can go upstairs to shower. And while I'm up there, I might as well tidy the bedroom and clean the shower.
See how that works? My thoughts and intention are literally taking a detour around this gridlocked highway brain real estate, and utilizing some less convenient surface streets to get to the same place.
And if I keep diverting enough traffic this way, eventually the highway will suddenly start moving again.
It's frustrating my brain won't just do the thing without childish games, but learning this work around has been revolutionary for me.
So I keep telling people about it in case they have hit those invisible walls too, and don't have any idea why.
bedroom
master bathroom
office
entry, stairs
living room
downstairs bathroom
kitchen
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Post by def6 on Jul 17, 2023 15:45:49 GMT -5
cricket I think you have some pretty amazing insights of what goes on between thoughts and actions. I'll admit right now that I have burdened my mind and my body with ridiculous amounts of to-do's . Therefore I have to know my limitations (What Limitations?  ) and I have to donate or trash to get everything to a manageable level. I have started a donation box to add to when I do the circuit cleaning. It will get easier and more enjoyable. 
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