OS Motivation

Aril

Start small...the oft quoted baby steps. Maybe with menu planning could you perhaps manage a couple of days for the weekend...perhaps a trip to the library and new recipe book might inspire you. If you write the mini plan down then you can add to next time you plan or increase it to 3 days when you feel ready. Housework can be overwhelming...I found that on bad days I couldn't even decide what to wear let alone get myself together enough to clean. For me having one room tidyish [probably dusty:D ] and to tidy up little and often helped. I also repainted my front room because it was in very cool colours [from previous owner] to warm spice colours because the old colours had made me feel very down. The other things that helped me were to force myself out of the house for a brisk walk and write down 5 blessings a day. Depression can be crippling but it can be beaten or at least managed. I now know my warning signs and have things in place to help me not end up back on medication.
Hope this helps
Aril

Garnet_Gem

It's hard to be motivated if you're ill. Try setting a timer for 15 minutes and do something during that time that'll help clean up, budget or meal plan. After the 15 minutes are up, re-set the timer and do something for yourself for 15 minutes, even if it's lounging on the sofa. Hopefully all the 15 minute segments will add up and you'll have jobs done as well as taking care of yourself.

tooties

Thanks folks,

Some great ideas, i particularly like the 15 minute thing, may give that one a go tomorrow. (if i can figure out how to do the timer on the cooker).
thanks again
tooties

moanymoany

Hey Tooties, sorry to hear you get depressed. From as long as I can remember untill I was 45 I suffered from depression sometimes very badly, so I have some idea if what you are going through.

When I was 45 I was in the garden centre and feeling like something nasty and I suddenly thought to myself 'Are you going to be depressed all your life, at 50 at 60, forever?' It was a turning point and from then on I searched everywhere for a cure. I did some weird and wacky things - like walking around with a smooth rosequartz pebble in my bra!

By the time I was 50 it had gone. That was 9 years ago. The happiest years of my life.

How do I keep motivated? We are saving for our retirement and when I look at that bank balance and see how it grows. Every pound I can save on the household outgoings is a step nearer my goal.

Cleaning - the flylady spending a short amount of time doing things - on top of daily stuff works ok. Sometimes the house is cleaner than others, but on the whole I'm quite pleased.

However, there are still times when I don't feel very motivated - but you know what - it's the same for everyone, we all have problems in the motivation area.

Good luck tooties

The_shuffs

Hi Tooties sorry to hear about your depression sending you ((((((((hugs)))))))) to maybe help you out I have found that if you just do a little at a time just set yourself small goals i have found that it works for me i will be sending good vibes to help you Rachael xx

squeaky

You might find this thread helpful too:-

Depression Support Thread

scrimpingbadger

Tooties, you know depression can be complex and insidious business, taking over every thought, word and deed. When I notice I'm feeling grim I also notice that the house is a piggy state (blame myself as rubbish wife/mother), so I do something small to improve the house and I feel a little better. Remembering that gives me motivation.
Also, as regards food, stuff out of packets/boxes that you sling in the oven can make me feel grim. Having organised and cooked a healthy meal and sat down and eating it makes me feel better. The other stuff starts to taste full of chemicals/fat.
OSing (and I'm learning so much here and I'm just an apprentice) makes me feel better.
It just works for me.

Bogof_Babe

I can't claim any knowledge of depression thankfully, but I will offer up a suggestion that might help a little. However hard up you are, try to allow yourself say £2 a week, and go visit your local charity shops. I've had some fabulous bargains, starting from 30p for beautiful chinaware, and loads of 'as new' clothes for 50p an item. I am actually hooked on these places now, and the beauty of it is that your money seems to stretch forever. I've bought two zip-up jackets this week for 50p each, one winter weight and the other ideal for autumn.

It really is amazing what new things people donate to charity shops. My wardrobe is stuffed with goodies now.

I hope you feel better soon, and that you are getting the appropriate medical help. Keep your chin up. xxx

sallywl

Right I am fine at big cleans but struggle to keep on top of day to day cleaning, I am currently unemployed after leaving my hellish job in the forensic science industry, anyway I am trying to set up my own business (photography) with the help of the princes trust, and I have a lil more time on my hands, and am at home most of the time, I want ideas on how to start with keeping things tidy.

Dont get me wrong our house is clean but it is a bit too cluttered for myliking and I seem to do all the cleaning at once, I'd like to spead it out, so its less of a chore and keep on top of tidying too...

I have seen the fly lady posts, is this a good thing to do? and how do you suggest I start off doing it?

any advice very much appreciated

Magentasue

I'm a bit like you - better at thoroughly cleaning a room than day to day stuff. I think Flylady suits some better than others so you've nothing to lose by trying.

Decluttering is the way to go for me. I measure cleaning success by how many bags of stuff are binned/recycled/given away because I'll never have to pick up or clean those things again. I'm home for the summer and trying an hour a day in one room working my way round the house but so far have found other things to do!