How many of your OS habits did you learn from your family?

moanymoany

helenhugs wrote: »

My Dad isnt OS at all. Not really had much to do with my mum since I was 6 so all I have learnt that is OS is what I have picked up on here or just come naturally.
When I was 18 I was a single mum & with a budget of £10 for food, clothes etc there wasn't much room for error so I learnt fast. I lived on my own from when I was 16 anyway (I had an evil stepmum who decided that we should all be out of home before we were 16) I lived with a friend for a little while then got my own place.
My OS skills arent too bad, I have never learnt the art of sewing but I do intend to teach myself. My 2 daughters have asked me to make baby carriers for them so theres my incentive to teach myself.
My cookery isnt bad at all & I much prefer home made food. My dad was surprised I made most of my own food & didn't add sachets or jars to spag bol & things like that.
My real downfall is the housework. I was never taught how to do it properly or to stay ontop of it & am completely ashamed & embarrassed by that but I am trying to learn. I know its obvious to everyone its easy but somehow the ease of it passed me by. Give me a cupboard with ingredients & I can make you a meal just don't ask me to tidy up lol.
Hugs
Helen

Helen, have you given Flylady a try?

I had an evil stepmum - and an unpleasant stepdad ... it's a b....r isn't it?

helenhugs

moanymoany wrote: »

Helen, have you given Flylady a try?

I had an evil stepmum - and an unpleasant stepdad ... it's a b....r isn't it?

Hiya. Yeah I have tried it I find flylady a bit awkward to follow at times. i did join the good enough club (which I haven't had chance to go on recently). I am using a few of the methods from fly lady & got myself an egg timer. That helps loads.
My main problem is throwing things out. I am a hoarder & I really need someone to just stand over me & make me throw things lol. I'm afraid I'm 1 of those "oh but it might come in handy" even though its been in the back of a drawer & I haven't thought about it for the last 5 years.
Honestly I sound about 50 lol I'm only 28, I've accumulated so much stuff its not funny.
I actually love moving because it gives me the boost I need to actually get rid of things but we haven't moved for nearly 7 years, this is the longest I've ever stayed in 1 place & I've had itchy feet for ages. Shame we can't afford to move.
Hugs
Helen

moanymoany

helenhugs wrote: »

Hiya. Yeah I have tried it I find flylady a bit awkward to follow at times. i did join the good enough club (which I haven't had chance to go on recently). I am using a few of the methods from fly lady & got myself an egg timer. That helps loads.
My main problem is throwing things out. I am a hoarder & I really need someone to just stand over me & make me throw things lol. I'm afraid I'm 1 of those "oh but it might come in handy" even though its been in the back of a drawer & I haven't thought about it for the last 5 years.
Honestly I sound about 50 lol I'm only 28, I've accumulated so much stuff its not funny.
I actually love moving because it gives me the boost I need to actually get rid of things but we haven't moved for nearly 7 years, this is the longest I've ever stayed in 1 place & I've had itchy feet for ages. Shame we can't afford to move.
Hugs
Helen

Hi Helen, I developed a way of 'de-cluttering for dummies' - the dummy being me! I got black plastic bags and put the stuff I wanted to declutter in them. Now here is the sneaky bit - I then put the bags in the garage or loft. This means if I want something it is still there. The stuff is not actually thrown out.

Somewhere in my unconscious mind I think I've won. As I have much less clutter and STILL have my stuff if I need it!

Linda32

My Mum showed me how to fold in egg whites with a metal spoon, not to open the oven to check wether the cake is cooking. How to rub butter into flower and knit.

I can't knit now to save my life, I drop stitches, end up with too many stitches or not enough.

As for the cooking I did none of that until I discovered OS, now I've learnt more in the last year or so than the previous 15 years of owning an house before.

INeedSomeOrder

My Mum was quite Oldstyle when I was young and she was a stay at home mum but when she went back to work full time she relied mainly on convenience meals.

My Mum, bless her, spoiled us and did all the housework on her own and never got us kids involved. This has meant that when I moved in with OH I was totally useless with housework and cleaning routines and as a result ended up with lots of different bottles, sprays and stuff in my cupbords as I thought I must need it because it was called bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, etc.

I am still useless with my cleaning routine but this is something I am trying hard to change. One thing I have promised myself is that when we have children I will involve them in cleaning and cooking as I've learned these are valuable skills for lfe.

Cooking is something I have picked up and enjoy but everything is quite basic but I have found this area of life much easier to improve and work on as I actually enjoy cooking, as oppose to cleaning!

Dad did all the gardening, household repairs, decorating, car maintainence, building furntiure(he made my first desk out of the wood from my old cot), etc and I managed to pick up a bit from him by watching him. Also I help him with his allotment and used to do the gardening for him when he was ill after his heart op so have picked this up.

Ches

helenhugs wrote: »

My main problem is throwing things out. I am a hoarder & I really need someone to just stand over me & make me throw things lol. I'm afraid I'm 1 of those "oh but it might come in handy" even though its been in the back of a drawer & I haven't thought about it for the last 5 years.

Helen

Decluttering large amounts alll at once can be too daunting if you are not naturally that way inclined so collect yourself a carrier bag (best to start small) start at the top of the house and working your way downstairs fill it with purely rubbish. Chuck it out. Another day do the same etc etc until all the rubbish has gone. Then the next time you are planning a shopping trip anywhere near a charity shop or recycle bin do the same with, say old shoes or books. Then just keep going anytime you get the urge but keep it carrier bag size and get rid of it immediately. Remember you don't have to do it big time or all at once but bit by bit it will disappear.

exlibris

INeedSomeOrder wrote: »

One thing I have promised myself is that when we have children I will involve them in cleaning and cooking as I've learned these are valuable skills for lfe.

Mum did have me help but when I was about 6/7 if I volunteered to help her she always sent me to dust in the front room when what I really wanted to do was work alongside her. I appreciate that she was grateful for the dusting to be done but she didn't realise I wanted to chat with her too. I always tried to give my boys jobs in the same room as a result of this.