Do I move or improve?

motherofstudents

I agree the one room at a time is the way to go. What I usually do is empty one room completely so that I have a blank canvass. Decorate it, just a lick of paint is enough to brighten it up. Then start to put things back but not everything that was in there to start with. I can't bear to mess it up so it works really well and I have one room which is perfect. Unfortunately, the downside of this is that another room has all the stuff from the first room ! I just start again on the next room. I don't know if it would work for you but it has worked well for me. Good luck with it.

Gigervamp

Baby steps is the way to go. A lot of the people on the messy thread do little things during the advert breaks. Ads come on, quickly tidy up the coffee table, or get the dishes soaking in hot soapy water.

Put some lively music on that you can sing along to and get your little one to help by picking up some of his toys. Make it a game to see how many things you each put away while one song plays, that sort of thing.

FlowerPower

If motivation is the key problem here - can I recommend a brilliant book - "Self-discipline in 10 days". It seems to be out of print now, but I found it online for free as a pdf.

It's quite short, and I found it quite readable - goes into the causes of why you're avoiding doing something. I found it's helped a lot. Maybe the lack of motivatation might be due to subconciously not really wanting to or not believing that you can do it. I know it might sound a bit silly, but it's really working for me!

toocleverbyhalf

Thanks for the tip about the book,I will look for it. I am really beginning to think I'm going mad because it's all I think about but never get stuck in and actually do it. I often wonder if there's a reason I'm like this or just plain lazy!!
I really like the 15 minute idea, I'll definitely try that. I haven't got a timer so I will get one tomorrow (let's hope I actually do it!)
Thanks again everyone.

Counting_Pennies_2

I haven't had a chance to look at the other replies, but wanted to say, if you move you will just be running away from it all.

I would suggest you tackle one room at a time, and be ruthless. I mean anything you haven't used for the last few months goes.

I had to get my house cleared in order to put on the market to sell. Working non stop for four days a week 10am - 2pm while my children were at school and preschool, I got my house in shape within a month.

I literally did one room a week. Cupboards one day, under beds another, boxes another and then a thorough clean on the last day.

I took bags and bags to the charity shop and then the odd trip to the tip.

It was amazing when I had finished. I then went on to decorate where necessary.

I felt I was in a new home.

For you I would suggest focus on one room a month, so you can do it slowly and have lots of rest as you go. Maybe start with rooms upstairs, as the downstairs rooms tend to get more clutter added to, so for motivation purposes you will need to focus on rooms that will give you the quicker wins, and more likely to stay as they are with a regular commitment from everyone in the house.

hth

[Deleted User]

Have you got a mobile phone? The majority these days have a timer function built in, save yourself a few quid?

[Deleted User]

Or my clock radio and microwave have a timer function on them too, as does the tv come to think of it but i have never used that one. The microwave one often gets used if the kids are mucking around with their dinner, eat up within an alloted time or it goes in the bin. They usually then try to beat the clock.

the_cat

I use the oven timer - almost all have one!

ailuro2

I'd get the house ready for an inspection - as that would happen if you were going to move - then decide whether you like it enough to decorate it or not once it's tidied up a bit.

Gigervamp

Good morning Tooclever, what do you plan to tidy today?