I know how to organise, I know how to delagate so the kids help. I know how to set certain activites to certain days, and I know how to minimize belongings so I don't have so much "schtuff" but why can't I get myself motivated to clean up.
I was over to a new friends home and totally awed by how tidy her place was, but when she came back to my place I was embarassed. We both have kids and we both work similar hours.
How can I keep my dresser clean, how can I keep ahead of this or that? I feel overwhelmed, even with the flylady.net program, I just struggle to bring myself to it for even fifteen minutes a day. And no I'm not depressed, or lazy. Just not motivated by this need.
2006-10-31 05:20:48 · 8 answers · asked by Buttercup 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
My home is clean enough to be healthy, I just feel bad that it's a bit cluttered and I can't keep up with what my friends are able to do easily.
Why is this such a struggle for me?
2006-10-31 06:19:01 · update #1
Boy can I sympathsize! I don't really like cleaning either.
But it is a lot easier if I take care of certain chores right when I get up, and others right when they need to be done. That way they don't pile up until they're flat intimidating.
Is there a way you can reduce your clutter? That's probably what's scaring you the worst. And I've found large homes with little clutter to be easier to clean than small ones with a lot: I used to work as a housekeeper.
Good luck!
2006-10-31 10:12:37 · answer #1 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be embarrassed. We all have varying degrees of cleanliness that are OK with us.
A little clutter can be good.
Could the problem be that others in your house do not appreciate all the work you do? A morning of cleaning can quickly be "hidden" when the kids come home.
Here are a couple of thoughts
1) take a cleaning vacation. Wait to see how long it takes someone to notice. (It was about 3 months here)
2) Just Do It!. That old Nike slogan is my current mantra. Rather than ignore it, walk around it or push it aside, I just clean or organize it NOW.
3) find a way to may cleaning, etc fun! Get a new CD from the library each week and clean for as long as it plays then stop when it stops. Clean Naked. Wear a funny hat, ....
Good Luck!
2006-10-31 13:43:27 · answer #2 · answered by paintingj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to stay ahead is assigning a place for everything.
Have a coin jar for extra change, a jewelry box for your everyday things, put your shoes away when you take them off, etc.
It will become a habit after awhile.
As far as motivation assign a room or task to each person. Turn the T.V. off and turn the radio on and go at it. You could do this every other day even for 30 minutes a night, cleaning is great way to burn some extra calories too.
Don't fret over what another person's house looks like, if your place is clean and a little cluttered its OKAY.
I'm one of those I have to have my place super clean but I never notice what my friends house looks like or even care.
The only time I would notice is if it's super dirty and I couldn't even sit down. =)
2006-10-31 14:00:28 · answer #3 · answered by ktwister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is so easy to just let things go and put off unpleasant things for later. I think most all of us do it. I allowed my workshop to get into a big mess. When I tripped over some items that were in my way, I took action. We stopped everything and set a goal (for the weekend) to clean up our mess. It took all day to do it. I threw stuff away that I had saved (on purpose) to accomplish my task. Now I feel great about having a place I can work again. I am being ever so careful to put everything back in its place when I use it - that's the hard part. I said all that to say this --- just think how good you will feel when you get it clean and organized. You will feel like inviting people over, you will have more energy to do other things because the mess will not be hanging over your head any more. Set aside a weekend, and Git 'r Done!
2006-10-31 16:20:18 · answer #4 · answered by Doug R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, is your house DIRTY or messy?
Dirty is cat poo or dog poo on floors, stale food around the house, piles of clothes on the floor, surface junk everywhere!
Messy can be one day's dishes (not five!) or laundry half done.
Then you have to decide how clean you really WANT your house to be. I have a friend who's house is spotless, and I mean it looks like a show home! Nothing out of place in any room! But her daughter is afraid to play with toys. They have what looks like a good relationship on the surface, but they don't really laugh and play together. DD is always worried about the criticism her mom gives her, others.
Enjoy life. You won't be on your death bed wishing the laundry had been done more often. If your house is clean enough to not be embarassing for your kids to have friends over, and it's not unhealthy...chill.
2006-10-31 13:30:02 · answer #5 · answered by WriterMom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't distress. Some people feel that a tidy home is their way of maintaining control in their lives. It is like a stress reliever for them. Other people feel that their home is their sanctuary and do not stress over things looking immaculate. It is clearly a personal choice and all in what you are comfortable with.
2006-10-31 13:25:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe tidiness is a priority for your friend and not for you,everybody has different priorities at different times in their lives.don't beat yourself up and take care of whats important for you and yours.I was messy as a young woman too and i also knew the way to do it being the oldest girl,i hated drudgery and felt as though i was a slave growing up.eventually it didn't work for me anymore and now i"m tidy and a reformed mess
2006-10-31 14:38:28 · answer #7 · answered by kimmi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You decide to block out the time and just do it.
I felt the same way, delaying, delaying, delaying. I finally decided that if I got it all done NOW, I wouldn;t have to worry about it.
2006-10-31 13:23:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋