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Post by mellowyellow on Jun 7, 2008 15:01:45 GMT -5
For those who are new to the site(s):
I just thought I would share this concept that a lot of us on here use.
It might be new to you.
Erase the Evidence. ETE
It doesn't correct squalor or clutter that is already there, but it prevents it from getting worse.
Whatever you do, wherever you go in the house... when you are about to leave that space, take a look around and see if you have removed all items that showed you were there.
Did you put the coffee mug in the sink, or did you actually wash, dry and put it away?
If you put a new garbage bag, did you leave the closet door where you store new bags open?
When you windexed the glass, did you put away the bottle, or did you set it down on the counter, to be put away later?
Did you hang your coat when you walked in the door, or just leave it on the chair?
"Later" sometimes never comes if you start to accumulate a series of things to do or put away. Even if it initially takes you two or three extra minutes, try to put those items away immediately.
Then you can better tackle the real mess... the big stuff... without mentally stressing everytime you see that bottle/coat/cup that is out of place.
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Post by Script on Jun 7, 2008 16:23:40 GMT -5
Here are a few small things which I have been re-training myself to do in the ETE department:  hang up towels in bathroom after use, no draping around the furniture, left on the floor, hung over the banister. hang up clothes IMMEDIATELY after taking them off these are two biggies for me, and have made a great improvement in my upstairs rooms. thanks for starting this |
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Post by glowworm on Jun 7, 2008 17:23:51 GMT -5
One way I do this is to make the bed as soon as I get out of it each morning.
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Post by crazycatlady on Jun 7, 2008 22:46:56 GMT -5
The other day, my 8 y/o son said that it should be EAE for Erase All Evidence!  It is something that my whole family needs to work on harder!
Today I started a push to have everyone DOOD (Do our own Dishes), a term invented by my 19 y/o son, when he was the dish wizard of the house. (That was his chore for a year.) I told everyone that if they don't have time to rinse their dish and put it in the dishwasher after eating, they should just skip that meal! And if the dishwasher is full, run it! If the dishes are clean, put them away! We had slipped, to where I was the only one doing dishes! 
It is amazing how if you try to implement these little lifestyle changes, they make such a huge difference! Thanks for posting about ETE, Mellow!
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Post by artsygal on Jun 7, 2008 23:13:40 GMT -5
Great ideas!!
After getting my LR to a level 0-1 this month, I noticed that I was constantly running to the kitchen pantry and gathering cleaning supplies, cleaning, and running then running back to pantry to put the supplies away, several times daily. I have a disabled dog who can be bowel incontinent and an old house that gets dusty daily. So I realized that i had a "antique" type lidded wooden box that I kept a lot of junk in before I cleaned the room, that fits underneath my side table next to my couch. After I first cleaned I just put my remotes in it. (My waste basket is right next to it), I then decided to use it for a mini cleaning kit, it now holds some paper towels a multipurpose cleaner, glass cleaner, accident sanitizer and a bunch of plastic bags. My supplies for the LR/ DR area are right next to where I sit on the couch. This makes it much easier for me to keep the room maintained, w/out having to run @ all the time.
best artsy
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Post by neveropentheclosets on Jun 8, 2008 0:34:11 GMT -5
What great advice. I am definitely going to give it a shot. Maintenance being one of my problems...
crazycatlady - I loved your statement about skipping the meal if you don't have time to wash the plate!
script - wow! That one really hit home. Towels from shower draped across furniture - check. Clothes dumped wherever anyone happened to be when we took them off - check. I think this is something I could rally the whole family around...
notc
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Post by reesa on Jun 8, 2008 6:15:06 GMT -5
I do this- every time I start to feel depressed about the mess around me I pick up or throw away ONE thing. One thing that I can see from where I am sitting or standing at that moment.
Strangely enough a lot of things are getting picked up
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Post by mellowyellow on Jun 24, 2008 21:35:56 GMT -5
I'm pulling this up again. Partly to help newbies... But mostly to remind myself that I am slacking. My kitchen and dining room tables are BADDDD. Granted, I am soon on holidays and should have time to clean it up. But there is really no reason for the accumulation.
Drip by drip of torture... Little by little and I have a towering table of clutter (papers and plants and gift bags and tidbits)....
Back to ETE
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Post by Rennie Ellen on Jun 24, 2008 23:36:01 GMT -5
What I like about ETE is that I can do it in stages. For example, when I finish eating, I put my plate, utensils and whatever I used to prepare my food in the kitchen sink. Later, I go back to the kitchen and fill up the sink with hot soapy water and let them soak. Then back to the kitchen after a while to wash the dishes and put them in the drainer to dry. Still later, after they've dried, I put them away where they belong.
I'm also doing this with the laundry. First I fold my clothes, then rest. Then I hang them up or put them away in the drawer, rest, and then I fold all the bath stuff, rest, then put them away. But you can break it up into whatever works for you. I'm only sharing what works for me. It takes me a little longer to get things done this way (sometimes "later" is the next day!), but right now getting well is my top priority and the way I'm cleaning isn't compromising that.
For me with my limited energy, it works much easier to break it up in stages. And I AM seeing a difference in the way things are looking! Slow and steady wins the race!
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Post by ClutterGone on Jun 25, 2008 4:57:23 GMT -5
I just wanted to say that I LOVE your avatar!
ClutterGone
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