How does a person develop a habit?

Question

I would like to develop a habit. I want to become a neat freak. The problem is, I pretty much hate cleaning up and my version of clean is not all that clean. How do I become a neat freak and how long will it take? Is it even possible?
When I think about cleaning and begin too, I get bored and lazy and just give up...I can't seem to finish once I start. I have even done one room and then will start on another room the next day, but by that time, I have messed up the first room again...Any suggestions...

Answer 1

Well if you allow yourself to be rewarded by something after you do it, then you might have more of an inclination to do it.

Habits form after you've done something for so long it just becomes an innate part of your schedule or what you're used to and feel inclined to do. Similarly, its something you find comfort in doing because of the normalcy of it for you.

Answer 2

I don't like cleaning either. But I've found that if I do a spot of cleaning right away while I'm still looking at it instead of waiting for it to build up, things just plain stay cleaner. And it's a lot less scary.

First, get your house de-cluttered and cleaned. Have a place for everything. And make sure to put everything back in its place.

One thing that helps tremendously is keeping spray bottles of diluted Lysol in the bathroom and kitchen. So I take a cleaning rag with me in the bathroom in the morning, and when I get done I spray the sink and the outside of the toilet, and wipe it down. I also take a cleaning rag with me when I shower, and afterwards spray down the tub. The bathroom doesn't get dirty any more.

In the kitchen, when I get done cooking and eating, I wash the dishes right away: That way they don't build up, and the food doesn't have a chance to hard dry.

For dusting, I just take a slightly dampened rag when I see it's needed. That's usually about once a week

For laundry, it's easier to start it and let it go while you take care of other chores.

Vacuuming and mopping are generally easiest when done together.

It will take time to install the habits, but it will simplify your life a lot.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I agree with MC After decluttering your house and yes this can be done. For each room have three boxes: one for throw away items, one for put away items, and one for giveaway items. Go to each room and do this then haul the throw away items to the dumpster and the charity items to your car. If you can only clean one room at a time, have a 15 minute pick up time for you and everyone that lives with you every day. After 21 days studies show that a habit will form. Of course that is just an average.Use shortcuts with cleaning after the de cluttering is finished. For example vacuum floors (sweeping is a chore), Have chemicals work for you. If you use commercial products let these cleaners work by leaving them on the tub and other surfaces for at least 20 minutes before wiping. This cuts down on scrubbing and time. Good luck and I hope you are successful.

Answer 4

you have to do it for 21 days straight. start small llike making your bed everyday or doing the dishes and build from there. Or if you hate cleaning that much give up something like going out to the bar or dinner and hire someone to clean for you.

Answer 5

Are you asking about a habit (doing something repetitively) or getting some standards ?
It sound like you have no personal cleanliness or organization standards .
I suspect that is intuitive . . . either you can tolerate filth & chaos or you can't. People who have an aversion to filth & chaos . . . clean ! Although some people who join the military go in nasty and come out with it together, so maybe you could consider signing up !

Answer 6

just keep on cleaning up for 30 days no matter how bad it is and it will become a habit

Answer 7

gorgeous, work on it, do it every day, suddenly it'd be a habit

Answer 8

by doing it over and over again

Answer 9

Meth, lots and lots of meth.