I have known many friends and family that have had problems with getting their home as nice as they wished. There was not a parent around to teach them, due to work or illness. The plan is to make a list of the kinds of areas in the home and the things the family needs and wants. I helped a new mom by visiting her 2 to 3 times a week. I taught her to organize using a basket, big garbage bags and sticky notes.
To collect and clear things, first take the garbage bag around and pick up garbage and waste. Some people throw away bottles and cartons but we are encouraged to recycle them. Do this collecting in every room. Next, the basket is for laundry to be collected and put in laundry area to do later. After that, take the basket again and this time collect toys to return them to the rooms so the children can put away their toys. Once the basket is empty again, it is time to collect the dishes. Most homes have cups and glasses all over the place so do not do the dishes until collecting is done.
The sticky pad is for reminders where some things go back to, mostly major items. Start with tools, games, cords, first aid, pet items. There are always things like this that get around and lost if there is not a dependable return place.
Now look around the home and see how much you have cleared away and how easy it is to clean now. You will be happy to see how 25 minutes can get most of your home clean. The organizing slowly improves with the spots named and the family can see how things are supposed to be. This is leading by example. There are many young people with a family that get feeling sad about the home and need some slow simple instuctions to reclaim the nice things and feelings about home life.
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Carolyn I am far from young, do, however have many sad times just looking around at the cleaning/organizing/picking up that has to be done! So, even at my age, your information is very important to me! Sometimes you can look around & become very overwhelmed JUST by looking. Thank you for the great ideas, I will begin in the morning...not procrastinating, it's just late on this East Coast!
Living alone, none of these problems apply to me since I don't leave trash laying around, have a dirty clothes hamper that I use....etc. My Procrastination Problem is doing things I DO need to do, like write that thank you note, water my plants, go to the grocery store, etc.. Instead, I sit at this dang laptop! I know I have to do 'whatever' but think "Oh well...." and sit here for hours! I even put a sign on the wall by my laptop that states: You just don't let that laptop computer take over. You get up and go even if you don't want to." And that doesn't even help. Any advice is welcome.
To lady who likes her laptop. I just thought of one way you can get your things done.....just tell yourself, "self we're not going in the computer room until I get 2 of my jobs done." Do that every day and soon you'll be caught up on those small things you want to get done.
I come from at least 3 generations of packrats and I, too, suffer from major procrastination. (My grandparents lived through both WWI and WWII, The Great Depression, etc)
When I used to live on my own, I came up with a little saying that I found to be motivational. Maybe this'll help you, too.
If it's to be, it's up to Me.
I sit in a VERY uncomfortable chair in front of my computer desk. This forces me to get up about every ten minutes to get the crick out of my back. It also forces me to walk around for a few minutes which takes me away from my keyboard!
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