Cleaning

HealthyBrandi

Hi, this may not seem related to eating healthy or exercise, but I need motivated to clean my house. When I get home, I just want to read, watch tv, or check out the Internet. These distractions also prevent me from planning good meals and exercising. Let me know what promotes you to get off your butt and do some work. Also, cleaning also helps to burn calories.

FearAnLoathingJ

the thing that motivates me is knowing the longer I put it off the harder it will be.

jillianbeeee

I found flylady.net a few year ago. Her simple advice helped me change my thinking on cleaning and motivates me because its small changes to my routines. Her music DVD is wonderful, although a bit old fashioned but helps get me going daily with my house cleaning. lol

Buddhasmiracle

if you want, tell yourself you can't sit down and read or watch television until you throw a load of wash in or stack the books and papers. Take odds and ends at a time. I'm assuming that your living space is disheveled, I live more or less that way and am comfortable with it. I wouldn't let it get to the point of having to call in the pest control guys.:noway:

goldmay

Maybe try inviting some guests over for a later date. The only thing that motivates me to clean is when people plan to visit my apartment (family, friends or maintenance). The fear of embarrassment over having them see messy rooms keeps me from being lazy.

lsmsrbls

I used to find logging cleaning on mfp very motivating.

Zaniejane

Bump. ( I like to read about cleaning)

FlabFighter86

I work full time so I just don't have time to clean through the week. But I make an effort at the weekend, usually first thing in the morning, get the washing on, clean work bathroom, do whatever else needs cleaning. Then you have the rest of the day to yourself. Someone else said invite guests over and that will motivate you, this is certainly true for me anyway. It's just pride that makes me want to keep my living space clean.

KarenJanine

Since working out at home I found that I get a lot of small housework jobs done between sets when I'm lifting. I like to wander about during my 2-3 minute rests to keep the blood circulating and these breaks give me ample time to load the washing machine, fold laundry, do a spot of dusting, scoop the cat little trays, sweep the floor, etc. etc. This adds to the growing list of reasons why I love working out at home.

larsensue

Hi, this may not seem related to eating healthy or exercise, but I need motivated to clean my house. When I get home, I just want to read, watch tv, or check out the Internet. These distractions also prevent me from planning good meals and exercising. Let me know what promotes you to get off your butt and do some work. Also, cleaning also helps to burn calories.

I watch HOARDING: BURIED ALIVE for inspiration. once I am done watching that show my housework doesn't seem so overwhelming.

ahviendha

Maybe try inviting some guests over for a later date. The only thing that motivates me to clean is when people plan to visit my apartment (family, friends or maintenance). The fear of embarrassment over having them see messy rooms keeps me from being lazy.

this for me too!! whenever someone is coming over i get into a frenzy of cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, changing sheets and tidying up.

i want to be proud of my apartment!

Tiff050709

Get it done and over with and then you won't have to worry about it. Then you can relax.

angelatjones16

I have 2 kids & a dog, I HAVE to tidy up daily. Then, I do my major cleaning on the weekend. Put on some music, light some candles and go at it.

luvmydog2

I used to find logging cleaning on mfp very motivating.

Win win situation ...

richx83

I hypnotised myself last week to give myself pleasure from doing cleaning, ironing etc.

I have cleaned every day since and feel amazing when I see my flat all clean and tidy, it is not for everyone but it works for me :laugh:

luvmydog2

Try tidying up the night before ... so when you get home from work you only have minimal things to do ... I use to do this when my children were small ... and it worked well for me .:happy:

Routine is the best option ...

SidsMom80

i used to be the same way. I would always procrastinate cleaning until I couldn't stand it or I had people coming over. I'm not sure what finally snapped in my mind. I would say give yourself small goals to start making it a habit. When i make dinner I no longer allow myself to let the dishes "soak" overnight and the next day, and the next... Everything goes into the dishwasher as soon as I'm done. I also give myself no more than 4 hours on a Sunday to get all the laundry done. I usually do it while I catch up on my DVR shows. Just keep reminding yourself how good you'll feel when it's all done

bsuew

I have had times that I have done the same thing. What I find helps the most is that I don't sit down when I get home. I get off at 4 and go straight home and start supper. I try so hard just to do one thing every evening that is needing to be done. Big or little. I try to do something "extra" every night. That way it doesn't get so out of hand. Bonus is the exercise and the feeling of achieving something. Makes me feel good

NSMustanggirl

I try to go to bed with the house just a little cleaner than it was the day before. Kind of forces me to get little odd jobs done! And if I don't, I try to make sure I spend some time first thing in the morning tidying or getting jobs that need to be done completed!

nyboer

I have had times that I have done the same thing. What I find helps the most is that I don't sit down when I get home. I get off at 4 and go straight home and start supper.

This - except I get done at 4:30. If I sit down when I get home from work that's me done for the day. I'll start supper immediately and if I didn't do my JM DVD before work I'll do it while everything cooks. If, however, I was successful in waking up early and working out, then I'll go around the house and pick up. We have a Golden Retreiver and 2 cats - there is ALWAYS hair to vacuum. :grumble:

ninerbuff

What I find works for me is just starting with one room, then another room the next day, and so on.

Of course now I do this pretty daily, but it keeps it from getting totally blown and trying to clean it up when it feels overwhelming.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

booker2shoes

I have a FitBit, and get to see how all of the walking around while cleaning adds up to calories burned on MFP. SERIOUS motivation! I also watch Hoarders: Buried Alive, which makes me get off my *kitten* and clean like a maniac!

Try logging your cleaning as a workout. You may find the calorie burn more motivating than the clean house.

tennileb

I've modified flylady's routines to suit me, and I find it helps. Also having friends who drop in without warning helps too, I never know when I might have company so I have to keep the mess minimized.

PamGeirng

Years ago before I really liked things clean and tidy all the time I would watch T.V. and would get up during the commercials and clean like a crazy person. If you do this during every commercial segment you can get a lot done and you don't have to miss your show or shows. I would set a timer for the internet or other things and do equal time 30 internet = 30 min cleaning. :bigsmile:

HealthyBrandi

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone! Everyone is motivating. I have each of the bedrooms completed so far.

toridehaven

When I am feeling truly unmotivated and glued to the TV, I use commercial times for chores. Whenever a commercial comes on I get up and do something around the house. That gives you a good three to five minutes before your show comes on!

dnunny70

I have 2 kids & a dog, I HAVE to tidy up daily. Then, I do my major cleaning on the weekend. Put on some music, light some candles and go at it.

I love when my house is clean and I have a few candles lit...reminds me...need to fold laundry, load the dishwasher...etc. :laugh:

AJinBirmingham

If you really don't like it - outsource it! Life is too short . . .

I outsourced my cleaning for years - I actually enjoy it, but was just too busy. The key to finding good home help is NOT to hire a professional.

Professionals seem to have one cleaning template that they apply to all homes - and it may not fit yours. They also focus more on doing things than getting them done - a subtle but important difference.

Network around for a grad student who's bright, hardworking, follows directions well and needs some extra cash - then take them through exactly what you want done each week. You may have to hire/fire more than one before you find someone who's a good fit, but when you do, pay well, include bonuses, and provide constant feedback - positive and "constructive."

It's not as expensive as you think - and knowing it's all going to be done, all the time makes life better.