Help Any tips for cleaning?

[farewell_to_my_mask]

Ive been really just tired and depressed lately. My rooms become a mess and I hate it. But when I think of cleaning it my body just aches and I feel disgusted with myself and how I live.
Anyone have any tips for cleaning? Even if its a random little thing that helps you, I'll take any help I can get.

 

[U. A.]

Maybe don't hold yourself to having to clean "everything" and just choose a small part. Like cleaning one area, one type of thing, for a set amount of time, etc.
Or, having a set day where you do it so it doesn't get out of hand.

 

[s00ngone]

Put one thing in its place. One thing, given a proper home. If after that one thing you're too exhausted to move, you're one thing closer to clean, and you've also designated an area for that thing from now on. Given a home, things tend to return there more often than not. Even if they don't, you can try again the next time.

 

[orpheus_]

Start by picking up trash/things that should be thrown out. You don't need to put them in the trash can, a cardboard box or a foil bag that you can put closer to you will do. Or just stack them all in one place.
Then move onto the "putting things in their places" part. Lastly into vacuming and washing and stuff. For me personally it's less overwhelming when I divide cleaning into these "stages" because I don't need to switch tasks so often (or at least my brain perceives it that way??)

You don't need to do it all at once, it can be done over hours, days or weeks. Whatever works for you. Also if you're stuck on something specific, like it feels especially hard to do (for me it's always putting clothes in the wardrobe) you can skip it and move onto something that feels easier. Or just half-ass it. Doesn't have to be perfect, better to do anything than nothing.

If you have many things that you're not sure where to put, get some kind of box/basket and just throw them in there so you can at least free up some space. Mostly works for small things though.

Just.. remember there's no shame in not doing everything perfectly. Your room doesn't have to be all pretty and shining, start with just making it functional for you.

Find ways in your daily life to make a bit less mess. It can be quite hard, but maybe you can work out something that doesn't require you much energy, but saves the future you from cleaning. For example when I cook (which doesn't happen often though lol) I put all the leftovers/trash on one plate and then throw it all out in the end. Easier than leaving a mess on the counter for the future me.

 

[GhostInTheMachine]

Clean as you go. As in, keep things tidy in small bits and let that grow into a greater level of cleanliness. It's easier to maintain something already clean than it is to clean a disaster. Have any kind of setup that lets you consolidate the things you have to make them easier to navigate. If trash is an issue have a bin in your room. If it's clothes everywhere, have a hamper that you can at least toss them into. Over time you can develop a routine that minimizes effort on your part while keeping things more or less clean.

 

[INYGTRMTFMO]

I find game-fying it helps. I especially like the Finch app for this purpose, but there's a ton of "turn your chores into points in a game!" sort of apps out there.