My Home is a MESS! - part 2

Terry2013

Well, how strange, I have just been compiling a little to-do-list, and thought I would hop on MSE to see if was missing anything and stumble on this thread!

I live alone and although not a mucky mare, I am getting untidy.. I just 'dump' stuff, then have to muster energy to do a big tidy up once a week, (ok, may be longer than a week!).... if only I could put things away. The other issue is, I am a bit of a hoarder, and think that little piece of string may come in handy one day... thing is, it usually does

To echo Alec, I am also reluctant to open the door to uninvited guests, so not many people call round, so no need to tidy up...

I will read your stories over the months for inspiration and motivation.. Thank you, and good luck everyone

bubblegumcola

I am similar to a couple of posters in that I never let anyone in my house due to the mess of boxes of stuff everywhere. It's horrible and I hate being embarrassed by my home.

I always have grand plans for a massive tidy up and then never get very far

bubblegumcola

jenster wrote: »

I intend to join you all on this journey this month starting with the paper work mountain including unopened junkmail that i should just open and bin as soon as it comes in but seems to end up in a carrier bag to be sorted later LOL - i have a couple of box files to put the important paper work in , but can i ask what are peoples top tips for sorting out there paperwork and what things do u keep and for how long

then i will do a room by room like some suggest here to get it sorted

gl all

Me too. Any tips on storing paperwork and length of time would be great. I have boxes of the stuff and just don't know what I should and shouldn't be keeping.

Baileysonice

hi all. I am going to join in as I am a confirmed messy too and need to sort it.

Actually I can put a good show on if I have visitors with a bit of hiding of stuff and a low light lol but in truth Iam not happy with it.

The problem for me is two fold yes I do work long hours and am single so no helpers for me but in theory that should mean less mess too. So my issues boil down to laziness Im afraid.

Its a horrible thought I know but I actually do think about what would happen if one of my family or friends had to come in here without me and see the truth. :eek:

Today has been christmas removal and kitchen cleaning. Great start except the majority of the day I have sat on my bum and watched films and general dross.

So confession over and action needed I will be here to report good or bad and look forward to reading other peoples stories

pollypenny

We had a good night last night and I cleared up, washed up etc straight away, apart from some bottles on the worktop.

This morning I was putting some soda water away on the top shelf and I managed to knock a bottle of olive oil off the shelf, on to the floor and the damn lid came off!

I wiped it up, but I've had to move the kitchen table over it, as I'll have to wash the floor now.

Too tired to tackle those drawers today. Ah well......... :cool:

Terry2013

Good morning everyone

Well I have made a start.. Already at sixes and sevens though, I have started with the bureau, It has everything in apart from pens and paper.. I have easily binned the argos catalogues, yellow pages and numerous sunglasses (that were broken, but might come in handy for the little screws) Now I have found a dozen cook books, I hardly cook anymore, so what shall I do, bin them, or store in some other drawer??

I have a million pens around the house, shall I bin them or put them in a box, I have kept crafty thing since my son was a wee one, (he's 22 this month) lol... I hate throwing things away..

I have old cables, mobiles, old laptop, old desktop & flat screen.. all of the obsolete and not worth anything on the sales sites, so should I just take to the tip?

And I have a room full of CD's... Some scratched.. I only play them occasionally now as I tend to use internet more.. Shall I put them all in the loft??

I think part of the problem is, once upon a time we had to make do and mend, and now things are so accessible and cheap that its just as simple to go and replace things that are worn and broken...

All help and advice gratefully rec'd

candygirl

Can I join in please? Have got sooo much clutter, esp in my spare, room of doom:( I clear it out every couple of years, but still chuck stuff in all the time Also need to sort the Grandkids room out! DGD hates me getting rid of stuff, so I have to tread carefully lol:D

Terry2013

Well, this is what I achieved, 3 carrier bags full of junk from one bureau! Where did it all come from??? Still have a couple of bits that might come in handy Will go back to this over the months.

A few other things have come to mind, duvets.. There are clean and in good condition, but only the cheap ones from supermarkets so no use giving to anyone.. Shall I stuff them in a bin liner and put in the loft, or just throw them??

Another pain in the rear I have (do) is to save random things like pictures/quotes I see on the net, all over the computer, so that is also on the list for a tidy-up..

I have so many junk drawers, I am a bit overwhelmed But I think coming here to talk about it is helping.

candygirl

We have our cardboard recyling this week, so i'm letting DGS 3 jump on all the boxes to flatten them down:rotfl::rotfl:

Fruball

alec_eiffel wrote: »

Thanks for the new thread Emm, happy new year to everyone.

A bit of background on me for anyone who doesn't know, which could be everyone! In 2003 I quit my job, then I started to get my life together. I have always been untidy (and I still am) but my house had reached a point where I didn't open the curtains, no-one was allowed in through the door unless I'd had good notice so I could hide some of the mess. I had pretty much unuseable rooms they were so full of stuff.

Then one day in early 2004 someone came round unexpectedly and I had to let them in. They were clearly disgusted by the state of the room and they spoke to me as though I was stupid. It was the final straw. I was pointed in the direction of Flylady and that was that. It took months and months to get rid of the junk, and deal with the reasons I kept hold of so much stuff. It took longer again to get into a daily routine, but eventually with support from DH and from people online I got things sorted.

I'm still messy at heart but the mess is "active mess" i.e it's from things I'm doing now, it's not just mess upon mess. But I like this thread as sometimes I need to be reminded to do things and how far I've come.

Baileysonice wrote: »

hi all. I am going to join in as I am a confirmed messy too and need to sort it.

Actually I can put a good show on if I have visitors with a bit of hiding of stuff and a low light lol but in truth Iam not happy with it.

The problem for me is two fold yes I do work long hours and am single so no helpers for me but in theory that should mean less mess too. So my issues boil down to laziness Im afraid.

Its a horrible thought I know but I actually do think about what would happen if one of my family or friends had to come in here without me and see the truth. :eek:

Today has been christmas removal and kitchen cleaning. Great start except the majority of the day I have sat on my bum and watched films and general dross.

So confession over and action needed I will be here to report good or bad and look forward to reading other peoples stories

I can totally identify with both of you and the posts made me laugh out loud as I could have written them myself!

I have been known to grab my bag and a coat before answering the door so I can say I am on my way out, therefore not having to let anyone in :eek: Now I check through the window who it is before opening the door. Often, I don't answer it at all

My living room got a good sort out before Xmas but the children's presents and general 'stuff' has crept all about again so that needs re-sorting.

Unfortunately, nothing is going to get done before Monday at the earliest as I am still unwell with flu and we are busy tomorrow.

I pledge to empty one box and re-organise the book shelf on Monday. (and hopefully get the Christmas decs down and up into the loft).

For anyone who has duvets/towels etc to get rid of, think about your local animal shelter. If you are on FB, find a local community page which should know places that would be grateful of them. Better than going to the tip or waiting to be nibbled by mice in your roof spaces