|
Post by gifted on Jul 4, 2009 23:18:23 GMT -5
Tired of it,
You said that you started in the kitchen, but then stopped. Do you know why you stopped? There was a reason, even if it was a negative thought that was so fleeting that you didn't notice it. Or perhaps the phone rang, or you were otherwise distracted.
Perhaps there was a very good reason. You say that you did a load of dishes. In my case, I would stop, because I would want my clean dishes in the drainerto dry and get put away. I wouldn't want to raise dust. And if I had a dishwasher, I wouls likely need to leave the room, because I am very sensitive to certain noises.
Or maybe it waa when you saw that your husband had used the stove. Could you have perhaps felt defeated? Do you feel like your family supports your efforts to clean?
Or maybe you just did not know how to continue. This is okay. I know if I work too long at something, I will either just make a much larger mess than I started with. Or sometimes I hyper focus, and scrub the toulet for hours, trying to get every old rust stain off.
Buy it sounds like you made progress today, and even more importantly, you are noticing things about your house.
SG
|
|
tiredofit
New Member
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 47
|
Post by tiredofit on Jul 5, 2009 5:54:42 GMT -5
Those are very interesting questions. I certainly feel defeated. When I'm in a cleaning mode, I hate to notice that nobody around me makes an effort. For example, nobody cares about the trash bag sliding inside the trash can and they just keep dumping stuff - then I'm the only one to go in there with my hands and fix it or close the bag. It may sound a contradiction, but I hate dirt, especially the greasy and food-ish dirt type. The other very possible reason is that, lately, with the fruit left on the counter to rot, I'm seeing a lot of flies. We bought the spray to kill them, but to do a thoroughly good job, I'd have to clean the kitchen perfectly and make sure there is no food or clean pots/pans/dishes outside on the surfaces, to avoid catching the poison. So, when I see all that there is to clean and put away, I feel already defeated. Then there is the cat litter box smell. Now our cats are going outside for that, but, even after throwing away the multiple times used litter box, I still smell it. I'm sure they (I have two) must have peed and pooped somewhere in some corner in the basement. The basement is starting to become pretty cluttered as well and I really don't feel like going to look for cat's poop. I guess, one of these days, I should, because if I don't do it, my husband won't. This cat litter battle started many years ago, when I was pregnant and I was not supposed to go near that thing, but he would never make the effort to clean it. One day, I just decided to clean it, but I felt (and still feel) that I was let down.
|
|
|
Post by marigold on Jul 5, 2009 14:43:01 GMT -5
You know what you could do regarding fruit flies and it doesn't include poison nor cleaning and decluttering? Put a glass with one inch of vinegar inside onto your counter. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar, and will drown in it. I do it any time we have a cloud of fruit flies above rotting fruit. Usually after two days the fly problem is gone. Some folks also add some sugar in it, to make it more irresistible for the flies, and some put a bit of dishwashing liquid, so the detergent helps kill the flies. Regarding the cat litter box smell - maybe you can camouflage the smell by one of those plug-in air refresheners in your favorite smell (is it vanilla, or roses, or citrus, or pine...). Or, when you say now I'm gonna work in the kitchen for the next hour or two, some folks here posted when they have to deal with really gross smells, they put a dab of Vicks VapoRub gel just under their nostrils, and it helps. From what you wrote I understand the smell from the basement is not only unpleasant by itself to you, but it also reminds you that you're the only one cleaning and it makes you feel even more alone and defeated and uninspired for further cleaning. Still, please don't feel alone - there are many of us here who mentally stand right beside you in your kitchen and are sending you friendly hugs and cheers and honestly care about you and wish you well. And many of us are also cleaning right along. The chat room is a great place to not feel alone cleaning and to get instant support and have a few laughs too When I have to iron a huge amount of clothes, I go to chat and it feels as if there are at least 5 other ladies toiling around my apartment, each doing her stuff, but it's like we are all together in it and it helps And it's your house too, fight for your spaces - clean them up for yourself, even if it means "Getting things done despite the family" as our member bah has so nicely put over in listzilla
|
|
|
Post by still on Jul 5, 2009 14:42:06 GMT -5
You are telling my story!
The only thing that works for me is to keep coming back and working with the different threads on this board - and challenges in chat, which are life savers some days!
Good luck as you find your way to where you want to be!
|
|
tiredofit
New Member
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 47
|
Post by tiredofit on Jul 5, 2009 14:48:55 GMT -5
Thanks!!! It certainly feels good being able to express all these thoughts that are roaming in my mind. And it feels even better to have someone that understands and shows empathy AND sympathy. Anybody else would just blame me for not "cleaning already!"
|
|
flower
New Member
Joined: July 2009
Posts: 18
|
Post by flower on Jul 6, 2009 0:32:23 GMT -5
You can do it! :-)
|
|
tiredofit
New Member
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 47
|
Post by tiredofit on Jul 6, 2009 4:17:22 GMT -5
I managed to clear and clean the kitchen sink yesterday, but I fear it'll get full, dirty and nasty before I get a chance to tackle the rest of the kitchen. Ok, I guess my challenge for the week is to keep the kitchen sink clutter free. I also want to go through the stuff that is in that green basket, as marigold suggested. That basket has been there for waaaay to long. And I'm also going to try to keep up with what I've been doing in the last few days, which is to pick a couple of things that are out of place and put them where they belong every time I go from point A to point B in the house.
|
|
|
Post by 60isolderthanithot on Jul 6, 2009 7:39:33 GMT -5
Try the Supernanny approach - make a list of chores and make everybody do a few of them every day. Once they have to clean the dishes or garbage can or laundry or whatever, it might give them a feel for why it's important to do their part to keep things cleaner.
|
|
|
Post by marigold on Jul 7, 2009 3:47:08 GMT -5
I managed to clear and clean the kitchen sink yesterday, but I fear it'll get full, dirty and nasty before I get a chance to tackle the rest of the kitchen. Ok, I guess my challenge for the week is to keep the kitchen sink clutter free. Dear tiredofit (Tire Do Fit It is natural and expected of the sink to be repeatedly full, dirty and nasty - it is its task! Only the sink in a hardware store is always clean and empty (until it gets sold to fulfill its real purpose and destiny The sink is there to wash things inside, many times during the day. So maybe just wash it and empty it in the evening before you go to bed, so a clean and empty sink welcomes you in the morning, ready for new accomplishment of the day. That was a FlyLady tip and I find it usefull. Also - BRAVO for all the progress you have made so far! You have incorporated a very good habit of doing laundry and dishwashing daily. Congrats on the new haircut It's nice to treat oneself too
|
|
|
Post by marigold on Jul 7, 2009 3:57:50 GMT -5
Oh, and I like very much what 60isolderthanithot wrote about sharing tasks with family. It's good for them too and for their future when they start living independently.
|
|