Motivation for housework

[Sketchy]

I have let things slide because of my mental health and losing my mum.

I want to make my flat perfect, tidy it and get rid of a lot of things. Sounds easy enough, but I am struggling with the smallest task. But I want to do this as fast as I can, to get it over with and to put me in a better place. I want to spend a week doing it so I'm not attempting it in one go.

So, what I'm asking is, how do I go about this?
Do any of you guys have any tips? How can I motivate myself and make it less of a chore? How do I not let depression win and just go back to bed?

I would appreciate any advice.

[chinahorse]

Sorry for your loss.

Would it help t make a list of tasks for each dy? Otherwise I Put music on and go For it.

Otherwise I use tv, I can watch x show if I do Y chore, and then do a little thig in the breaks.

Regular breaks and nice rewards at the end of each day. Start small and work up to thr things you find most difficult.

[Sketchy]

Good ideas, thanks. I'll make a daily list. Rewards is a good idea too.

[Sketchy]

Thank you so much, that really helps. Lists are clearly the way forward.

Because of meds I can't do anything in the morning. Late afternoon and early evening is my best time. I'll try do some things off the list then and I'll reward myself afterwards.

Posting here is also a helpful idea thanks. I may even post photos of the finished result. That might give me the kick I need.

[Sketchy]

Thank you. I'm going to write a list tomorrow. I think tonight I need to try get some sleep. My list tomorrow is the first step towards my nicer home.

[Arienette]

lists are good

but overall, housework isn't THAT important. it could probably wait until you're feeling better.

Could someone help you? a friend or something? x

[Sketchy]

Thanks Arienette, sometime I do need to remind myself that, but I know it has to be done and it will help my mental health. I couldn't ask friends to help because I'd be too mortified and can't handle them seeing my mess.

[tiptoes]

I do the task and reward approach suggested above.

I try to start with the tasks that have the clearest visual difference and make me feel happy. Doing the washing up is often pretty high priority as it makes me miserable when I don't have any clean cups etc. I'm terrible and leaving clothes all over the floor sorting through them can quite quickly turn a room from a state into something not too bad. And on the flip side I avoid taking on tasks which are challenging and I'm less likely to complete them and then I'm going to feel bad that I didn't complete it and be demotivated from trying other tasks.

[Snow White.]

I agree the clear visual difference tasks are a good way to start. It's very rewarding.

I've been doing this this week actually. I put the radio or TV on in the background and that helps. Today I went to an open house for inspection and obviously it was beautiful and clean....I came home and cleaned a whole room!

Dony forget to take breaks. Photos after is a good idea :)

Wishing you all the best with it x

[Sketchy]

You are all fantastic. Thank you for great advice. I will start with things that make a visual difference first. I have made my list too.

[chinahorse]

yay for lists

[Sketchy]

I made a start to my list. A small start, but that's ok.

[chinahorse]

thats fantstic

go you!

(sorry overboard with the emojis there)

[Sketchy]

Thank you so much.

[Sketchy]

I cleared part of my art area, so I can work at my easel much better. I think giving myself a week was over optimistic, but during the week I'll do a few more things from my list.

[chinahorse]

Just do as much as you can because anything is better than nothing and is going the right way forward. Starting with something that leads to more space to do something you like was a really good idea.

[Lindsey]

Music playlists always help me.

"Happy Working Song" from Enchanted and Queen's "I Want To Break Free" are among my housework anthems.

[Sketchy]

Music is definitely the way forward Lindsey.

Auror, things have stopped because of mental health not good, but tomorrow is another day and I'll tackle that list again. Thanks for asking.

[Sketchy]

Thank you. I just did a little bit more. Tomorrow I'll do another little bit.

[not_so_insig]

How did it go?