Posted by Sarah T. on September 4, 2005, at 1:08:49
In reply to Re: Why can't I clean up??Need help/advice...., posted by TexasChic on September 3, 2005, at 20:52:24
Hi Texas Chic,
I have a problem with clutter, mostly magazines, journals and newspapers ("I can't throw this out because there's a really interesing article I have to read first"). I do keep the kitchen and bathroom clean, but there are piles of papers and magazines all over the place.
I do have to mention two things that have helped me:
1) When you decide to tackle the clutter, don't plan on doing everything. Just say, "I'm going to work on just this one table today, or just this one section of the table." If you break up the task into tiny portions, it doesn't seem so daunting. Once you've gotten through that one section, you'll feel so much better that you just might have the energy to do one more section.
2) This next suggestion probably isn't feasible, but I've found that moving helped me get rid of a lot of clutter. Moving is horribly stressful. I don't know how I made it through the last move, but somehow I finally got through it, and I managed to throw out and/or shred tons of papers I'd been saving. It felt really good to finally get rid of a lot of that stuff.
I do think the most important thing is to break the task down into TINY segments. Also, consistency helps. For example, if you do the dishes every time you use them, then you don't end up with a whole sink-full. If you're really stressed out and/or going through a particularly tenacious depression, then it helps to buy paper and/or plastic plates and utensils and disposable aluminum pans for eating and cooking. Granted, it's wasteful and eco-unfriendly, but at least it will free you from having to worry about that until you have more energy.
poster:Sarah T.
thread:549447
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050903/msgs/550527.html