The end of procrastination and disorganisation.......

parsniphead

Cherryfudge wrote: »

It's horribly disheartening, isn't it, when the house is a tip. Mine is just slightly less of one than it was the other day... but only slightly. I need to put time and effort in but time and effort are going elsewhere.

A small, clean space will do wonders for your sense of being in control. From there you can target other areas. My personal 'must do' is the bathroom because I always think that if visitors have to use it then firstly they won't be thinking 'Ee-oo' in disgust and secondly they will somehow believe that's the true (tranquil, orderly) state of my house and the mess must be temporary because who would tidy and clean the bathroom when visitors wouldn't necessarily see it? If you followed all that, well done.

I hope the house obliges and you don't need to pull a sickie on Monday - more likely go back to work for a rest! I do see what you mean about it paying better, though. Might it be worth considering cutting your paid hours to concentrate on your own business?

I know what you mean. My FIL and his wife arrived unexpectedly the other day and she popped to the loo. The clutter was everywhere, I was so embarrassed.

It is in my plans to spend more time doing self employed stuff soon, but I'm walking a fine line at the moment.

parsniphead

hex2 wrote: »

Good to see you updating here. I feel better and motivated when I read diaries and see what others are doing.

Absolutely agree on house, How do people do it? I feel like such a failure when I come back and actually look at mine. 'Oh don't look, its such a mess!' Amateurs

I don't know how they do it. I don't want a completely sterile house but I just have too much stuff to tidy and clean around.

parsniphead

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

I feel the same Parsnip - I permanently live in a state of CHAOS and I blinkin' hate it but can't seem to do anything about it.

Luckily we have 2 big dogs so if someone calls by like someone from the village I talk to them on the doorstep while the dogs bark behind me (the reality is that they are big softies and wouldn't hurt a fly).
The only people who enter are people who have contacted me beforehand - I'm talking weeks here and still the day before I run about cleaning and tidying the house.

In the holidays DD wanted friends over which I agreed to as I had worked all week while she laid in bed all week (she is 14 though) and it took 2 days of cleaning from her and hours and hours of my time to get the house just looking presentable - it wasn't even immaculate. I know she spent a lot of time on her bedroom but the rest of the house looked was bad and of course as teenagers do they wander all through the house so every room had to be done.

I started reading A Slob Comes Cleans which you recommended as the way her mind works is so me.
I am reading from the start and she is adding to her non-negotiable daily tasks still - this is stuff that normal people do every day but I leave until it has built up into a huge job. One example is the kitchen floor - she now sweeps everyday even if there is hardly anything on the floor and it takes 2 minutes maximum but before (and this is what I do) you let it build up for weeks so it takes 20-30 mins to tidy the stuff off the floor, then sweep it and then wash it thereby feeling like housework takes over your life.

I need to work better and smarter at home and need to practice what I have been reading.

Sorry for my ramble but it really hit a nerve with me.

Hope you get lots done today.

I am having a coffee and then about to carry on tidying as DS is back from Uni for the summer today and I want the house to be tidy. Normally it looks a tip and I know he knows that how we live but I just want to come back to a tidy house for once.

I'm going to go back and read her book again. I did find her inspirational unlike Marie Kodo which annoyed me a bit.

DS doesn't have people come back yet as he is only six so I have a few years to try and get things straight.;)

Ramble away as much as you want.

parsniphead

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

I hate dealing with floors, hoovering, brushing or mopping.

Urgh, vacuuming......hate, hate, hate it. Give me ironing anyday.

enthusiasticsaver

Just read your diary and wanted to offer you some encouragement as you do seem to struggle from time to time. Well done on getting the debt moved to 0% as this means at least that your payments are actually reducing the amount owed and not being paid out in interest. I have great admiration as well in you not only working with autistic children but also having a son who is on the spectrum. Great patience must be needed and he is lucky to have you. We look after our almost 2 year old granddaughter one day a week and meltdowns are a challenge but somehow in public people seem to be more understanding of a toddler than a school age one even though obviously autism means he struggles more with his emotions.

Re clutter, I rarely buy stuff unless it is really needed. I don't think I have the shopping gene as I really don't like it. It is a necessary evil for things we need and I really only go to shops for clothes. Everything else is researched to death and then bought online. My daughters laugh at me as we are still using saucepans my mother in law bought as a wedding present 34 years ago now. They are still fine though as very good quality and I use plastic spoons for stirring so they don't scratch so it seems to be a waste to buy new and fill up landfill by ditching the old ones.

If the house is clutter free it is much easier to find stuff and clean it weekly and I also feel like I can relax better in it. I have a policy of thinking before I buy it so don't impulse buy. Is this something you struggle with? Meal planning is good with not wasting food too and money goes much further then.

Keep up the good work in debt busting. Do you have a DFD or are you breaking it up into chunks?

Bobarella

Elephant your line about the dogs totally cracked me up!

Parsnip I'm sorry you are finding it a struggle again. I do have a daily routine but even then I find at certain points things just get a bit much. Our washing machine broke down on Thursday (my day for doing the beds typically) so we have been doing it in the bath and thank god the weather's windy and hot! So line drying is possible. But it's another thing we didn't need. And the engineer can't come out till Wednesday. So it's disrupted things.

I wonder, have you ever considered paying a professional to come in and assess things for you? Appreciate it's a cost but everyone has a different living style and they may be able to recommend things that for your lifestyle.

doingitanyway

Parsniphead, I am struggling too! It is a constant battle. I do feel the answer is a regular routine and I don't have one. I can see that I need one.

I had a friend drop me off a few months back and ask if she could use the loo and I had to say no. That was so embarrassing

parsniphead

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Just read your diary and wanted to offer you some encouragement as you do seem to struggle from time to time. Well done on getting the debt moved to 0% as this means at least that your payments are actually reducing the amount owed and not being paid out in interest. I have great admiration as well in you not only working with autistic children but also having a son who is on the spectrum. Great patience must be needed and he is lucky to have you. We look after our almost 2 year old granddaughter one day a week and meltdowns are a challenge but somehow in public people seem to be more understanding of a toddler than a school age one even though obviously autism means he struggles more with his emotions.

Re clutter, I rarely buy stuff unless it is really needed. I don't think I have the shopping gene as I really don't like it. It is a necessary evil for things we need and I really only go to shops for clothes. Everything else is researched to death and then bought online. My daughters laugh at me as we are still using saucepans my mother in law bought as a wedding present 34 years ago now. They are still fine though as very good quality and I use plastic spoons for stirring so they don't scratch so it seems to be a waste to buy new and fill up landfill by ditching the old ones.

If the house is clutter free it is much easier to find stuff and clean it weekly and I also feel like I can relax better in it. I have a policy of thinking before I buy it so don't impulse buy. Is this something you struggle with? Meal planning is good with not wasting food too and money goes much further then.

Keep up the good work in debt busting. Do you have a DFD or are you breaking it up into chunks?

Thank you enthusiasticsaver.

I dont buy much due to lack of funds but i do get attached to DS's stuff. I had a cluttered house before DH moved in and DS came along so its got worse since then.

I do meal plan and rarely throw food away. I just wish i was a better cook.:o.

I guess i need to just keep focussing on small areas until tbey join up rather than trying to do it all at once.

parsniphead

Bobarella wrote: »

Elephant your line about the dogs totally cracked me up!

Parsnip I'm sorry you are finding it a struggle again. I do have a daily routine but even then I find at certain points things just get a bit much. Our washing machine broke down on Thursday (my day for doing the beds typically) so we have been doing it in the bath and thank god the weather's windy and hot! So line drying is possible. But it's another thing we didn't need. And the engineer can't come out till Wednesday. So it's disrupted things.

I wonder, have you ever considered paying a professional to come in and assess things for you? Appreciate it's a cost but everyone has a different living style and they may be able to recommend things that for your lifestyle.

I feel for you bob with no washer, especially with two littlies. I hope its fixed soon.

Ive spent too many years trying to organise stuff when i should have been getting rid of it. So no more extra storage and more getting rid. I have got rid of two bags of stuff today. :j

parsniphead

doingitanyway wrote: »

Parsniphead, I am struggling too! It is a constant battle. I do feel the answer is a regular routine and I don't have one. I can see that I need one.

I had a friend drop me off a few months back and ask if she could use the loo and I had to say no. That was so embarrassing

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: You said no. Brilliant. That has cheered me up no end.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Regular routines are such a struggle. My excuse is as im a creative type its in my genes.