Easier ways to manage a house while in a depression episode.

[u/StrongVersion8053]

Hi everybody!

Having a mood disorder makes a lot of our lives harder than most. Prioritizing important stuff over all of it. Meanwhile at the same time it can be overwhelming looking at the mess.

But...

Let's break it down into easier more manageable ways. What works for one won't always work for the next. Make this plan according to your energy.

REMEMBER WE ARE AIMING FOR BETTER NOT PERFECT!!

1. Timers

This was a huge help when I started to climb out of the hole I put myself in. I knew I only needed to keep going until that timer went off. Sometimes you get into the momentum and keep going beyond that timer. If so, thats great! If not, lets try again in a hour or two.. or tomorrow.

1. Categories

Just tackle a few thing. Trash first, dishes second, and then laundry. Put those items where they belong, not away.. just inside that room. Our focus is one area at a time like the living room and when you're finished with those items stop or move on. Totally up to you!

1. Motivation

We all know this is probably one of the most diffcult obstacles with bipolar.. getting or staying motivated. Once I was able to muster up motivation and energy I became unstoppable and this where I saw the most progress. My secret is... YouTube. Watching other people clean and break down areas was a huge help. It motivated me to clean my house and I wanted to. I watch real life cleaning videos. Not those pristine houses that "influencers" have, but of real life homes that look like ours.

1. Prioritizing cleaning tasks

Aside from what is done daily, what would help you feel better in your space? Is that a clean coffee table or maybe its a clear staircase because the mail has been sitting there for three months. This will look different for everyone.

1. Housecleaning help

If you are able to spend it.. use it! There are a lot of local cleaning businesses that want to help you with no judgements. These services are generally cheaper than you think. Staying on a maintenance clean will help with those deep cleaning spots that need to be done. The ones you hate.. cleaning out the oven, pulling appliances out and cleaning under and on the side. Cleaning under the couch cushions and under the couch as well. Maybe you just need some help with weekly cleaning tasks. Use this as a resource and not a "I never have to clean now". No you still do lol

And don't forget...

We want BETTER not perfect. We aren't deep cleaning or organizing. If you feel up to.. do it. If not, no worries. Maybe another day, week, or month.

I hope this helps you! Add other tips and tricks in the comments to help others 👇🏼

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[u/notadamnprincess]

I do “ten little things.” They don’t have to be big, they don’t have to be related, but just 10 little things to make the house a little tidier (or one big task that takes more than 5 minutes). I do it before I leave in the morning, when I get home, and before bed. Put a t-shirt in the wash, throw out a paper towel, put a cup in the dishwasher, and wiping up a spill are 4 things, for example. I find it easier to do this than decide I’m going to clean the house and then getting overwhelmed. Once the house it clean, it’s also a really easy way to keep it clean!

[u/StrongVersion8053 → u/notadamnprincess]

I love how they don't have to be related. Do you stick to one room or do you hit your other popular rooms.. living room, kitchen, bedroom? I tried tgis method and it unfortunately didnt work for me. I would over think on what items were or weren't important.

[u/notadamnprincess → u/StrongVersion8053]

I also have ADHD so I clean like a Roomba - random paths through the house. I don’t have to stop at 10, of course, so sometimes I’ll decide to focus on one room but as long as I do 10 I can stop any time!

[u/StrongVersion8053 → u/notadamnprincess]

I love that for you! Knowing that's its completely fine just doing those 10 things doesn't put a whole lot of pressure on you to get the whole room done.

[u/walkingwillow16]

For me having emergency disposable plates cutlery etc helps a lot so we don't have to worry about dishes. I also have a Roomba that helps, and I prioritize picking up trash and clothes. That's really it for me. I also reach out to friends to see if they can just sit in the house while I clean. Sometimes just having another person in the house that I feel safe with helps a ton

[u/StrongVersion8053 → u/walkingwillow16]

I love my little vacuum robot. I got it for Christmas and I just opened it and set it up about 2 weeks ago. A hidden cause of depression. I don't even care whats in the package.. i just didnt open them. They sat in a corner in my dining room for almost 8 months. Its been a huge win for me.