Cleaning motivation please

[Starrlight]

Sometimes it’s overwhelming to look around and see how much needs cleaning especially with ocd and depression.

Have you found any tips that help the process?

Thanks in advance

[Hidden]

I do. I don't know if they work. There are actual motivational cleaning videos on YouTube. Videos of people cleaning their own house to motivate others. Some people have racked up 1 million viewers. I think it's funny and brilliant.

[Starrlight in reply to Hidden]

Oh funny 😆 thanks!

[Hidden in reply to Starrlight]

If you end up watching one, let me know how it is and it you felt motivated. Lol

[Starrlight in reply to Hidden]

I started watching one that used razors to scape the shower doors clean -haven’t heard of that one, kind of interesting. Also the way she talked about being a stay at home mom and getting things organized was motivating to me.

[Hidden in reply to Starrlight]

oh, good. Yeah, there are a few woman on there. I just heard about it, but never watched the videos. I can't believe how many followers they have. I guess we all need some motivation.

[VDC1]

I get it because used to be like that too. You’ve got to consciously break it down into the smallest steps possible and ignore everything else other than that step. Ie instead of thinking that “ all the floors are dirty !” Just tell yourself “ I’m only going to sweep the kitchen floor” then when it’s done you realize it’s not so hard, then pick a different step. You can’t do it all at once. Sometimes if I have a party it’s a disaster with cans, garbage everywhere. I tell myself “ I’m only picking up cans”. Now “ I’m only picking up garbage” etc.

Also music helps a ton and even beers helps too!

[Starrlight in reply to VDC1]

Thanks! I’m breaking it down. I also find I need breaks.

[Hidden in reply to VDC1]

Hi,

What do you do if, on the way to pick up a can, you notice that the table's dirty and tell yourself you need it clean now?

[VDC1 in reply to Hidden]

You can’t clean the table until it’s clear.. some things have to be done in order, like you wouldn’t clean the floor before the table because something could fall on the floor !

[Hidden in reply to VDC1]

True...

Thanks for responding!

[Starrlight]

Oh yeah I can see why music would pass the time and be more enjoyable!

[gnsbao13]

I definitely use music to help me stay motivated. I will make a schedule of what I want to get done during the day. If I don’t finish I try to think “it’s okay, I always have tomorrow” or celebrate the small things. I know it’s easier said than done. You can also try a weekly schedule and put small task you would like to get done, just an idea

[Starrlight in reply to gnsbao13]

Yeah I think it’s a good idea to have a schedule. Typically though I just do what I can and on my good days I do way more than usual. Sone days I do very little because I am not up to much.

[Hidden]

I totally understand. I am a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning. Now, my former landlord would BEG to differ on this because we always allowed our apartment to get really messy and he would see that when he came over to fix things. This isn't because I like living in messes, but because I get overwhelmed when a mess starts forming and shut down. I shut down because I start thinking of everything I need to do to make it that section look perfect. Then something else gets messy and my overwhelming doubles. It snowballs really quuckly from there and gets to the point where I want to spend as much time away from the house as I can.

What I've resigned to doing is this: I wait until I get really fed up with the filth, then grab some of our huge bags and throw everything from the surfaces and floors in there. Once the floors and surfaces are void of everything, that's when I break out the vacuum, etc. and clean. After that I stop and wait until the next energy day to tackle what's in the bags. (I probably freak my husband out with this method, but right now it's the only thing that works)

[Starrlight]

I hear ya! I usually let things go until I notice it’s bad and spend a loooong time cleaning but I think I’ll start trying to consistently do the little I need to at a time so I won’t dred the big deal I usually have to make of it...we will see

[Ddorne]

Starrlight, compartmenting seems to help. Like I’m just doing floors now. Or just going through old clothes now. It’s hard for me with OCD, I get overwhelmed, but it’s worth itLiti

[Starrlight in reply to Ddorne]

Thanks Ddorne! I got a lot done today without getting overwhelmed like usual. I think my increase in Paxil is helping.