Help How to get myself to clean my room 🧹☁️

[kawaiiphantom]

Hey there, honestly I've been too exhausted and in a depressed state of mind to clean my room. But I really really want to clean it today. I was thinking of putting on some music and lighting incense and taking it a little bit at a time? Is there anything you do to get yourself to clean/helps you? Thanks in advance (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

 

[Argo]

Deeply relate to this because I generally struggle with routine and tedium. I think it's really helpful if you put some reflection into the living space first, and not about the cleaning first. Because sometimes it's just structured in a way where it is hard to clean. If you can(this could be a long term reflection/plan), structure it so even if there's a huge mess, it's easy to clean that mess, if that makes sense.

Look at your gif for instance, that's a convenient example. Even if you put all of the clutter in your room into that cartoon, I bet that it would be easier to deal with than if it was in your room, right? It's definitely true for mine.

If it's just a matter of getting started for you, then try this: Sit down with your head and back reasonably straight. Close your eyes. Take a few slow and careful deep breaths, and just relax and rest. From here, with your eyes closed, you will be free to notice and connect with the fact that you want to get this done. It's not really a conflict for you, because you already know it's what you truly want. That'll be extra clear once you get it done. And the moment you connect with that idea, just stand up and slowly start doing whatever you feel comfortable doing.

 

[TooConscious]

Practice self compassion with good humour, I try to find ways of having a dig at myself for being lazy but I'm not hurting anyone. The only time I've ever routinely kept immaculate for months on end was when using amphetamine. Which I don't recommend without education.

 

[vitbar]

For me I tend to get carried away if I actually get myself cleaning. I go from reluctant to even start to doing every little thing.
One way I get myself to start is picking the smallest jobs and bargaining with myself to do them. Tell myself I can stop after if I'm still not in the mood.

One thing that does always light a fire under me is when someone will be seeing my room.

 

[Doombox]

Listening to Dana K. White on youtube helps me. Here's one on how to get started:

 

[kawaiiphantom]

Deeply relate to this because I generally struggle with routine and tedium. I think it's really helpful if you put some reflection into the living space first, and not about the cleaning first. Because sometimes it's just structured in a way where it is hard to clean. If you can(this could be a long term reflection/plan), structure it so even if there's a huge mess, it's easy to clean that mess, if that makes sense.

Look at your gif for instance, that's a convenient example. Even if you put all of the clutter in your room into that cartoon, I bet that it would be easier to deal with than if it was in your room, right? It's definitely true for mine.

If it's just a matter of getting started for you, then try this: Sit down with your head and back reasonably straight. Close your eyes. Take a few slow and careful deep breaths, and just relax and rest. From here, with your eyes closed, you will be free to notice and connect with the fact that you want to get this done. It's not really a conflict for you, because you already know it's what you truly want. That'll be extra clear once you get it done. And the moment you connect with that idea, just stand up and slowly start doing whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Wahhh that's such a unique and helpful way of looking at it, I never thought of that. Thank you so so much!!! I rlly appreciate you taking the time to type this out, I think it will help me a lot I'm definitely going to try that out :> I especially love the example you explained with the gif I used

Practice self compassion with good humour, I try to find ways of having a dig at myself for being lazy but I'm not hurting anyone. The only time I've ever routinely kept immaculate for months on end was when using amphetamine. Which I don't recommend without education.

Oooo thats a good idea!! Humor definitely helps me, thank you for the reply and sharing ur experience!

For me I tend to get carried away if I actually get myself cleaning. I go from reluctant to even start to doing every little thing.
One way I get myself to start is picking the smallest jobs and bargaining with myself to do them. Tell myself I can stop after if I'm still not in the mood.

One thing that does always light a fire under me is when someone will be seeing my room.

Dude I feel that so much, sometimes once I get started after a while I want to clean every nook and cranny and make it as perfect as possible lmao. Yeah I agree!! My best friend will be visiting me on Monday so I think I'll definitely use that to fuel me ଘ(੭ˊ꒳ˋ)੭✧

Listening to Dana K. White on youtube helps me. Here's one on how to get started:

 

[dragonofenvy]

I live by myself and can only ever clean if I have external pressure. If I have unit inspection or maintenance coming over then I do my best to make the place as nice looking as possible. Maybe you could enlist someone who either lives with you or someone else to inspect how clean your room is or send them a picture, and if you don't do it then face their judgment until you do. Saw that your friend is visiting, maybe in the future if it gets messy you can have them be your cleanliness inspector lol.

 

[Kasumi]

Once I get started on it, be it cleaning or whatever, I finish it, but that might be the problem already.
Like, if I manage to get started on cleaning I'll spend the next 3h cleaning everything and completely exhaust myself which just makes it harder to get started on it.
I think the solution is to not try to "clean", but try to just clean one thing, like the shower and nothing more, then the next thing tomorrow etc.
Minimise the amount of preparation you need f.e. by making it easy to get ur utensils ready.

It can be really hard for me to do laundry because I need to go down in the basement, even though the actual work of washing is done by the machine and I spend maybe 5 minutes hanging the laundry.

If it's just a matter of getting started for you, then try this: Sit down with your head and back reasonably straight. Close your eyes. Take a few slow and careful deep breaths, and just relax and rest. From here, with your eyes closed, you will be free to notice and connect with the fact that you want to get this done. It's not really a conflict for you, because you already know it's what you truly want. That'll be extra clear once you get it done. And the moment you connect with that idea, just stand up and slowly start doing whatever you feel comfortable doing.

I wish that would work,..
For me it's not just cleaning or similar chores but every thing I need to *do*.
Yes, even things like getting ready for bed, for some reason they're extremely stressful for me, more than just exhausting, it's more like mental pain.
And because of that I get scared of those things, even something like going to sleep or getting up gets me scared.
I've tried relaxing before such things but because of that I'm unable to relax.

For example when getting up in the morning, it's actually pretty interesting.
When I try to get up I'm so scared that I can't, but as soon as I accept that it won't work and give up on it, deciding to rest some more, suddenly the stress and fear vanishes and I'm able to relax.

 

[kawaiiphantom]

Once I get started on it, be it cleaning or whatever, I finish it, but that might be the problem already.
Like, if I manage to get started on cleaning I'll spend the next 3h cleaning everything and completely exhaust myself which just makes it harder to get started on it.
I think the solution is to not try to "clean", but try to just clean one thing, like the shower and nothing more, then the next thing tomorrow etc.
Minimise the amount of preparation you need f.e. by making it easy to get ur utensils ready.

It can be really hard for me to do laundry because I need to go down in the basement, even though the actual work of washing is done by the machine and I spend maybe 5 minutes hanging the laundry.

I wish that would work,..
For me it's not just cleaning or similar chores but every thing I need to *do*.
Yes, even things like getting ready for bed, for some reason they're extremely stressful for me, more than just exhausting, it's more like mental pain.
And because of that I get scared of those things, even something like going to sleep or getting up gets me scared.
I've tried relaxing before such things but because of that I'm unable to relax.

For example when getting up in the morning, it's actually pretty interesting.
When I try to get up I'm so scared that I can't, but as soon as I accept that it won't work and give up on it, deciding to rest some more, suddenly the stress and fear vanishes and I'm able to relax.

I can relate a lot to this, it can be really scary even doing the most mundane things. On my worst days even just adjusting my body or reaching for my water bottle can be terrifying, I have no clue why. Just existing can be really overwhelming and painful sometimes. I really like the idea of cleaning just one thing and then move on to another at a later time/day, it makes it much less daunting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one who goes through something similar although I really wish u didn't have to go through it too. I love your pfp btw it's so pretty!! (☆ω☆)

 

[violetskies]

this is just a random suggestion but i know there are youtube videos where people tidy/clean their rooms in real time so it might help if someone is technically cleaning up alongside you ? that helps me when i sometimes get the motivation !

 

[kawaiiphantom]

this is just a random suggestion but i know there are youtube videos where people tidy/clean their rooms in real time so it might help if someone is technically cleaning up alongside you ? that helps me when i sometimes get the motivation !

Yesssssss! Those have helped me a lot before in the past. I remember one I watched of this girl who struggles a lot with mental illness, her words were rlly comforting. She said not to feel guilty because it's our living space, of course things are gonna build up because we be living in it after all, and that it's completely okay that it happens :>

 

[Kasumi]

I can relate a lot to this, it can be really scary even doing the most mundane things. On my worst days even just adjusting my body or reaching for my water bottle can be terrifying, I have no clue why. Just existing can be really overwhelming and painful sometimes. I really like the idea of cleaning just one thing and then move on to another at a later time/day, it makes it much less daunting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one who goes through something similar although I really wish u didn't have to go through it too. I love your pfp btw it's so pretty!! (☆ω☆)

Thank you ♡
I picked it cause it expresses how I feel pretty accurately.

I definitely envy those who don't have to deal with such things.
Talking with my therapist who can't understand my fears just shows me just how far from "normal" we really are...

I'm trying to go to the bathroom to get ready for bed since 2 hours, but well, having found your thread was well worth it ^^
It doesn't make sense, considering how badly I want to rest, but I'm not able to get up since I know that I definitely will get ready for bed properly before actually laying down.

 

[kawaiiphantom]

Thank you ♡
I picked it cause it expresses how I feel pretty accurately.

I definitely envy those who don't have to deal with such things.
Talking with my therapist who can't understand my fears just shows me just how far from "normal" we really are...

I'm trying to go to the bathroom to get ready for bed since 2 hours, but well, having found your thread was well worth it ^^
It doesn't make sense, considering how badly I want to rest, but I'm not able to get up since I know that I definitely will get ready for bed properly before actually laying down.

I feel the same way when talking to people who don't understand. I wish I was normal so badly, I can't fathom a life where I'm not dealing with mental illness, I really wonder what it's like for people who don't. Ahhhhh I'm so glad it was well worth finding this thread!! :D I really hope you're able to get up and get ready for bed despite the intense struggle ♡ I hope you have good dreams and are able to get the rest you deserve

 

[Labyrinth]

My room is filthy; I've been putting off cleaning for a while now. No energy or motivation to do this. Broken windows, water infiltration, potholed walls. The correct thing would be a complete reconstruction.

 

[F&Inside]

Imagine you're working and getting paid for it. I imagined I was in the army and if I didn't do it they wouldn't give me leave, so with that and a little music you're almost done!

 

[cryone]

I make a checklist of all the things to clean and check them off. ex: make bed, wipe tables, vacuum, clean mirrors, etc. feels good to check stuff off and then you get momentum

 

[CTBKnight]

I have severe ADHD so as long as I have music I can do tedium quite well (anything where I don't have to focus intensely). I like playing the Guilty Gear or Elden Ring soundtrack and jamming out while cleaning or doing dishes and the like. It can make it fun. One thing that has helped is don't be afraid to get rid of stuff. Sometimes it feels hard parting with some random piece of junk because of the circumstances in which you got; but I found if I just will power throw it away, I feel guilty for like a few minutes and then I never remember it again and my room feels nicer. Anyways, good luck!