I actually have tears in my eyes. Thankfully, no one reads this blog, so there’s no reason to be embarrassed. I got my first comment! I know it’s from Laura, who runs Menu Plan Monday and comments on all first timers, but it’s exciting!
I really think I’ve had a breakthrough. I knew I needed to get up earlier than my kids. I’ve known that since my first kid started school, and probably before that. But knowing and understanding are two different things. Getting my kitchen in order VERY first thing in the morning makes much more of a difference than I ever realized it would. The kitchen is the place that can least take being ignored. Other areas get cluttered, but a kitchen gets nasty. I really don’t like nastiness. Although a slob, I’m also a germaphobe. I know it doesn’t make sense, but there you go. I’m sure I’ll delve into that part of my psyche in the future. So, when I got behind in my kitchen, it greatly affected my mood. And I was ALWAYS behind in my kitchen. The thing that has always frustrated me about the kitchen is that it is so constant. Clean it up, and then mess it up within a few hours. Repeat.
Now that I’m staying on top of it this last week or so, it really is easier to keep it clean. Two big pots are so much easier to clean than 7. Especially easier than when you HAVE to clean one in order to have something to cook in. Cleaning a huge pot when the sink is completely full is not easy. But I’ve done it. Many times.
It’s also easier to cook. I’ve known this, but I’m really enjoying it now. It’s so much easier to cook when you don’t have to move everything in order to have a prep space. Today I was able to throw together an impromptu lunch sack for my 3yo without having to shove anything aside. Helped my time, and helped my mental state.
I know this is an older post, but I've just found your blog through another site, and am reading through the whole thing. We could be twins! You sound JUST like me on the clutter/life happens/clean a pot to cook….all of it! Congrats on your progress! 🙂 susan dot fairchild at gmail dot com
I just found your blog and am reading from the beginning. I'M A SLOB/GERMAPHOBE TOO!!! If things get too dirty it's like I CAN'T clean them and my poor husband has to do it. I totally relate to how you felt about a dirty kitchen. You don't even want to be in there, much less cook. Maybe I'll try getting up early…
Becoming an early riser is my current habit I want to adopt. Have you read zenhabits.com? He’s all about making lasting changes.
I found you on FB and started reading your blog. I am right there with you on the kitchen thing. I’ve told my husband SO MANY times how frustrated I get with housework, especially the kitchen because just a few hours after I’ve cleaned it, it is messy again!
Okay, fine. I’m going to go clean the 4 pots sitting on the burners. With a smile.
my kitchen is my first step. keeping a shiney sink lol well making sure the dishes are done anyways
Exactly! Who cares about water spots on a sink if it’s full of dishes!
….having to move things for prep space… yeah, me too. My kids get up so early, 6:30, my husband and teenager by 6. *sigh* b ut what you said about getting more done on the list before you even knew said child would be sick that day… you can’t put a price on that. hmmmm.
I just found your blog on Pintrest last week and have been working my way through the posts. I was searching under the keywords “slob cleaning” on Pintrest, which pretty much sums me up. I have ADD (on meds for it!) and just never learned how to be organized. I have three kids, all about your kids age at the time of this post, a husband and two dogs. I’m a stay at home mom that does work from home for my self employed contractor husband. My mess is CONSTANT!!! Sometimes I want to weep from the frustration of it. I dread pop-ins, God help the family member that dares drop by without proper warning. And to top it off I have a neat freak for a mother! If laundry gets cleaned, it gets deposited either on the couch or on my bed to be dug through at a later date. The worst part is that I’m passing this onto my kids. I’m going to keep reading this blog and hope it has a happy ending 🙂 Fantastic work so far!!
I’ll let you in on the ending . . . there isn’t one! Life keeps going and I keep chugging along! Welcome!
I found your blog though Offbeat Home — I’m a messie/slob/whatever-you-want-to-call-it in reform — I recently read “How Not to be a Messie”, and while some of it sounded like reasonable advice, some of it seemed really outdated — bills need to go in a file? No, bills need to go paperless and be paid online! Keep an address box instead of a book? How about an online address book, please? So, I stumbled across your blog, and I’m reading it to get a sense for your experiences, to hear from someone who is navigating these challenges in the 21st century, so perhaps is using more up-to-date systems. I seem to be attempting to reform my messie ways a little earlier than many — I just got married and moved to a teeny apartment with my new husband, and now I’m trying to get the mess left from moving under control and organized in such a way that things are findable and usable. Looking forward to reading more of your blog!
Welcome, Sylvia! Yes, there are things about technology that help a LOT! Now the distractions tech provides . . .
With a toddler and pre-schooler, cleaning is a never-ending battle. I vacuum the living room last night only to discover cracker crumbs on the floor from this morning lol! Or making the beds on a daily basis only to see it messed up a couple hours later. I did learn a few years ago not to stress out so much about it because the way I figured it, this will ease up as my children grow… or at least I hope 😉 enjoyed your blog, its nice when we can be honest with each other about how we really feel.
I am just seeing your blog, for the very first time! It is 6:26 AM and I am absolutely thrilled to be reading what I have read, so far. I am a first time mom who HATES a mess. Before my son was born, I didn’t mind a mess….and after?! I go insane at the thought of the slightest mess (aside from his toys and things). I hate the thought of him rolling around in filth — germs, dirt in my floor….just YUCK!
I can’t wait to read through your blog! (:
i constantly need to do dishes *before* i can even cook… i love cooking but hate dishwashing… so i put it off as long as possible until i’m like, oh crap, it’s nearly six, the chicken’s still in the freezer, and i haven’t washed the dishes yet! 🙁 makes me very sad.
I’m reading backwards….. after listening to lots of podcasts…. I am really helped by the way you have distilled down the truth that IT IS WORTH IT to put everything you’ve got into cleaning the kitchen. I am always battling the logic that a few unwashed dishes and an unwiped counter don’t really matter when there is so much more to life than the kitchen! I have never made it a priority to have a completely clean kitchen (unless my MIL was coming for a visit). But yesterday, inspired by your insistence, I did completely (or 95%) clean up my kitchen. I washed EVERY dish and water bottle. I wiped every counter. Oh. My. What a dramatic psychological effect. Totally worth it. I even felt more motivated to make dinner in such a lovely space. Of course, now it’s a mess again, but not such a huge mess. When you only ever clean it 70%, it’s so much easier for it to get to 50% messy, which is discouraging. And you are right, 2 pots looks so much less intimidating than 7.
I love this comment, Claire!
I’ve been through the posts backwards at least twice. Read your book, listened to the podcasts. The deslobification process is working!
The early rising dilemma is where I am right now. This is going to be HUGE!
I started listening to your podcast, and after 60some episodes I’ve FINALLY started on the blog! This is the first time commenting, just to let you know that you speak to my soul. I’ve also attempted flylady a few times. Submitting myself to her process is difficult. Your podcast teaches me new things daily. YOU GET ME. Thank you so much for sharing with the world. I NEED you.
I discovered you during the pandemic/maternity leave/going -back-to-work-as-a-nurse-from-maternity-leave -during-a-pandemic. I’ve read your books and now starting from the beginning of your blog. This one so resonates with me. I can’t even count how many times I’ve had to move dirty dishes just to make space to clean them. Or chop an onion on the very edge of the counter. Or spend 2x the amount of time needed on a meal bc I had to clean first. My life has exponentially improved just by doing. The. Dishes.
Thank you, Dana!
You are so right! I am a germaphobe/perfectionist/slob. You get me! Thank you!
This is a bit of post necromancy but I really do think there’s a connection between clutterbugs/slobs and germaphobe… as noted above I think the connecting piece MIGHT just be perfectionism!
I hate cleaning…I spend hours to get an area clean and it’s totally messed up again the next day..or, sometimes just hours later. Why can’t it just stay nice forever? For instance, I swept the kitchen floor this morning and hours later I find a cold French fry on the floor. I haven’t had any French fries today…I should make my husband pick it up…he made the fries…
I guess I shouldn’t complain…after all, 90% of the clutter mess in the house is mine. OK, 98%…
But still, I’m tired of re-cleaning the same areas . Can’t they just stay clean forever so I can focus on decluttering?
Sorry…I am ranting…
Me again…I swept the floor again cleaning up the cold french fry…washed the final dishes of the evening, then took the laundry I folded for a friend out to the car to take to her house tomorrow after I pick up her boys from school. Heading to bed…I think I’m just tired. I’ll feel better tomorrow…thanks for letting me rant!
I really feel you on this one. I am just starting my journey. Again. 😄