Tips and Quick Questions on “How To Start Being Old Style”

randomer

I'm wondering why you sleep a lot.... don't you feel too good?:rolleyes:

My suggestion would be tackle one thing at a time and personally I would go for the system of meal plan, make a list ,shop.
It might seem boring and time consuming. It means little spontoneity but the big advantage is once the system is in place you don't waste time wondering what to eat or ending up grabbing take aways because you are tired/fed up.
Also your health will improve because you are eating home made fresh things.

hex2

Good luck with it Cazspatch. A lot of us struggle so don't feel that you have to suffer alone.

The only way I got on top of my house was to join the weekly Flylady thread. The new one starting tonight is here. It trys to put some order into what gets done around the house, and at least you know other people are suffering.

ChocClare

Oh, you sound like you need a helping hand from Flylady... have a look here:
http://www.flylady.net/pages/begin_babysteps.asp

The important thing is what she says: you didn't get this way overnight and you'll kill yourself if you try to put it right overnight. Baby steps!

It's amazing how a couple of very quick things can put you back on track. Have a look and see what you think!

allydowd

Get a big calendar and plan, plan, plan. It got me out of a mess. I put a week up on the fridge at a time, with everything on it: when the bins have to go out, library books, shopping day, the lot.

ceridwen

allydowd wrote: »

Get a big calendar and plan, plan, plan. It got me out of a mess. I put a week up on the fridge at a time, with everything on it: when the bins have to go out, library books, shopping day, the lot.

That sounds a good idea to me - I frequently get fines on my library books for being overdue.....:rolleyes:

bubblybee

I agree with randomer, take it one step at a time.

My secret - lists, lists for everything. Oh and sleep. I feel absolutely rubbish if I don't sleep. Providing nothing is medically wrong, I find if I've lost enthusiasm for anything I don't want to do anything. So sleep, if it takes a day, a week or two do it. Then make lists. Take some time researching on this whole website. Take tips from each of the various boards. This is the best website on the internet and has tonnes of valuable information. Decide what you want to prioritise. What are the things you must do (i.e. spend less money) and what things you would like to do (e.g. wash the curtains).

None of us I'm sure claim to have this all in hand. I'm far from this. But I'm learning. At the moment it's money saving through menu planning. Finding cheaper services - gas, electricity, insurance, and then I'll look to organise the house.

Today I actually cleaned the baking cupboard. It's only a very small cupboard but it has flour sugar, cup cake wrappers, cookie cutters. Organised it, chucked out very old stuff, wiped it down etc. Only a little task but makes me feel better. Tomorrow will be cleaning the window to the front door. Again only a little thing, but they will all add up and you'll get into a routine.

Good Luck.

Zazen999

One of the best things is to list everything that you have and asterisk everything that you haven't eaten in the last fortnight - and make a plan to use it up or ship it out in the coming month. Once you have cleared, you can menu plan and you know exactly what you need each week without thinking that you'll just make it up as you go along and then end up on takeouts.

cazspatch

thanks for your replys - realised one small step at a time - i have made a ccleaning rota to get me started - few small tasks a day

Nitha

I'm glad you started this thread, I'm just the same. I let things overwhelm me and that stresses me and I get very tired. Flylady helps but you have to be patient and you have to stick to it. You also need to really get support from your OH in life, often women tend to take on everything as funnily enough it's us who are 'blamed' for the messy home or the mismanaged finances. I'm guilty of trying to take on too much myself!

champys

ChocClare wrote: »

Oh, you sound like you need a helping hand from Flylady... have a look here:
http://www.flylady.net/pages/begin_babysteps.asp

The important thing is what she says: you didn't get this way overnight and you'll kill yourself if you try to put it right overnight. Baby steps!

yes, soooo true! Flylady has transformed my life as well - 15 minutes at a time.