Cleaning Tips?: When I mentioned to my... - Anxiety and Depre...

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Cleaning Tips?

DaniDareDevil profile image
11 Replies

When I mentioned to my therapist that I've been having trouble cleaning and showering he said "just pull yourself together and do it." Which seems so simple. So why is it not?

Anyway, if anyone has ideas for how to make either showering or cleaning easier, you'd be more help than my therapist. 🫠

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DaniDareDevil profile image
DaniDareDevil
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11 Replies

Honestly, it depends on how you look at it. And your therapist may just not know what your view is on it. Being that I too find it difficult to wash too, maybe it's because we're just not used to being clean all the time? I have no clue. Maybe try an ambient music from your phone?

DaniDareDevil profile image
DaniDareDevil in reply toAsoingerbobTheGreat

Music is a great idea. I just did a load of laundry and put a towel in, so I can have a fresh hot towel when I shower tonight.

Rufus07 profile image
Rufus07 in reply toDaniDareDevil

Good for you! Consider that a win!🙂

Jens44 profile image
Jens44

For a long time I have been having trouble keeping my living space free from clutter, so cleaning is in and around it. I tend to just set small tasks like instead of tidying the whole room, I tidy just one area like writing desk, or PC desk. trouble is I keep repeating those same two as I keep using them again :) But I really must get to grips with it as I would like to have decluttered my living space by Christmas. Showering maybe set yourself a time limit. say 10 minute shower at least once a week. and other times just quick wash in the sink, or wet wipes etc. Cleaning just do one thing each day, or just set time again. clean for 10 minutes etc.

DaniDareDevil profile image
DaniDareDevil in reply toJens44

My goal is to be able to invite people over in the New Year. Maybe find a way that makes doing those two spots easier or faster somehow? I think I'm going to do the little kid thing where I set a timer and clean as much as I can, then get myself a little treat for doing it 😅

BeagleHeart profile image
BeagleHeart

My advice is similar to Jens', i would choose a room and try to break it into multiple steps accomplishing one thing a day. It may take an entire work week or two depending on how much work is to be done. Incremental steps lead to more lasting effects, imo. An analogy that comes to my mind is like climbing a 10,000ft tall mountain, you don't have to overwhelm yourself by climbing it all at once. Reduce it to 1000ft a day and celebrate each landmark. In ten days you'd have reached the top, though I can only speak for myself, once you reach the top and look back down the whole thing feels significantly less daunting. Almost silly that you let it get to you so much, but that's me. Again, to me, it's a lot like building endurance. The next mountain you climb won't be so intimidating becuase you've proven to yourself already that you're capable. I celebrate small victories with rewarding myself something I enjoy; a bath, a treat, a show, a game, etc. Best of luck to you, Dani

DaniDareDevil profile image
DaniDareDevil in reply toBeagleHeart

Thank you Beagle. I need to find myself more little treats or rewards for getting stuff done. Maybe that would make me want to clean more haha

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

DaniDareDevil, the hardest step to take is that first. Once you do, putting one foot in

front of the other and seeing the results can be a motivation to go further.

As my physical therapist told me, PACE yourself...it's not about how fast you get

things done. You'll be surprised as you accomplish things both in the house and for

yourself, it will be a satisfaction fulfilled w/o getting so anxious and threatened that

you Can't do it. You CAN and you WILL is a better way of thinking. :) xx

DaniDareDevil profile image
DaniDareDevil in reply toAgora1

Thank you Agora. I did a bit today, and a bit yesterday, and I'm ready to do a bit tomorrow.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply toDaniDareDevil

You've got it dear :) xx

Arymretep profile image
Arymretep

Hi, I hate showering as the water actually hurts the nerves in my skin, I bought some large body wipes online especially for washing, they are extra thick and large and antibacterial, I wouldn’t be without them now , if you’d like the name just pm me👍

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