I mopped the kitchen today. Like really mopped it. Moved out all chairs, swept every single nook and cranny, and mopped. I’m a little proud of it. I don’t do this very often.
I actually like mopping. I like nitty gritty cleaning. I know that that doesn’t make any sense considering the fact that I am a . . . slob. But it’s true. As I reminded myself when I decluttered the dining room, I usually spend all my time stressing about the clutter, gearing myself up to declutter, and then finally, when I have no other choice, decluttering. And that is all I get to do. “Cleaning house” doesn’t mean what it could because I have created so much more mess through clutter.
But since my kitchen has been clean for more than two weeks, I just bounced right in there and mopped that sucker! Go me!
I also:
Made bed.
Cleaned kitchen.
Picked up the few things on the bathroom floors.
Ran a load of laundry.
I have a really long way to go. A reeeeallllly long way. But slowly I will change.
I have to.
You are completely in my head! I didn't plan to comment until I had read through all of your posts, but this one just forced my hand. Everything I've read so far has been me, me, me, but this post addressed something I've just recently realized about myself. I let the clutter get so bad that things like wiping down baseboards or cleaning around doorknobs almost never happen. When I know I will have company I have to spend two full days putting/throwing things away. I'm usually doing that right up until they pull into the driveway. It's at that point that I notice how dusty the tops of the books are, or how cruddy the remote control looks. I'm going to continue reading your blog now, start to finish, as you suggested. I'm laughing, and sighing, but most of all I'm just nodding in agreement!
Thanks so much for commenting! I love getting comments on older posts from the days when I had no readers!
And it's so nice to know that others have the same thoughts/struggles I have!
so…..i’m typing this on my laptop which is on the coffee table. at least i THINK the coffee table is under here somewhere! i just had to stop and tell you that you have inspired me! i love the way you are adding one non-negotiable per week. like you, i am easily overwhelmed and when i try to start doing everything at once, i start doing it all badly in a very short time. we are currently in the midst of a major kitchen remodel, so i don’t even have a floor to sweep! but i have chosen a list of 6 things that i want to do every day. wish me luck, pray for me, whatever! here goes!
Well, I put my dishes in the dishwasher for 10 days now ! love it! It takes all my will, but I have free 30 min to spend on something other then dishes . IT IS TIME TO ADD ONE MORE TASK;-0
Yay!!! Go you!!
I love your blog! I’m a super slob, and I’m starting your blog from the beginning, like you suggested. I’ve ‘followed’ FlyLady for years and years, and while I love her, I just can’t DO it. Like, I see a pile and know it will take 5 minutes to pick up, but can’t. So your information is very refreshing as I’m looking to redefine some things for myself. This particular post rings true with me, as well as another on decluttering your dresser. You called your trash something like ‘very important things to look at later’. That’s what all my crap is too. And I too love cleaning, especially mopping and having clean floors. But I can never bring myself to pick up the rooms in order to vacuum and mop. Of course I need to sort through the other piles before I can allow myself to pick up the floors. So yeah, it never gets done. Bottom line here, I really like your slow incorporation of ‘non-negotiables’ and I hope I can burn that one into my brain. I’m glad I found you and can’t wait to see what other jewels you might have!
Welcome, Mattie!
I’m reading backwards – and I’m continually amazed that you may be a long lost twin. However, this post really resonated. I’ve always thought it odd that I really do LIKE to clean well, thoroughly, and “perfectly.” But that’s part of my issue I think. My locker in high school? Perfectly organized, clean, and sparkly. My backpack? Same. But my room was a disaster. My house is a disaster. It’s too monumental, and I can’t keep up with myself, much less nag the family to clean properly while I sit behind a 5 foot pile of papers and miscellaneous items tossed on my desk so I “don’t forget.”
I can get a wild hair and spend 3 hours cleaning out a closet, but the living room and kitchen have just regular old pig sty written all over – my priorities get totally whacked. But it’s almost like I feel like I can control a closet, so that’s a safe haven. The living areas seem to be way too out of my control.
I’m the triplet! You’ve hit the nail on the head with your comment!!! In fact I’m not sure I didn’t just write that.LOL
Ok. So I had ordered the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle a few months back. Being the *awesome* homemaker I am, I totally forgot about it until two days ago! Then I found you. Your blog=MY LIFE!! I kid you not, I swear you must be living in my brain!!!! I have four kids ages 11, 9, 7 and 5. All four have autism so pretty much anything homemaking related is not my skill. But it’s TIME. My hubby is like yours. He praises me when he comes home and I’ve folded AND put away clothes!! How pathetic. Lol. I’m so glad I’ve found you! You inspire me that maybe, just maybe there is still a glimmer of hope. Thank you!!
Welcome! There’s totally hope!
This post sounds like me. No one can clean like I can clean. Nobody does it better…when I do it. That’s the kicker. Isn’t it? You actually have to do it.
I’m 42 and discovered your YouTube channel, along with The Minimal Mom and Clutter Bug this summer. You all have changed my life. I’m slowly figuring this thing out. Wishing I had done so when I was as young as you were when you figured it out. But so glad you were able to blaze such an amazing trail for the late bloomers like me. My 14 year old daughter has already inherited my slob-ness, and we are working through it together. I’m hoping it’s soon enough for my 5 and 7 year olds to never skip it all together.
Thanks so much for doing what you do.
PS I’m reading the blog backwards, as suggested, and finding its harder to get things done while doing so. I need to go back YouTube and podcasts…I can listen while I work.
I started to comment on this post about how “No one can clean like I clean.” Then I realized the comment just above this was from me…from 4 1/2 years ago. I also say “I’m an excellent house CLEANER but a terrible house KEEPER. I’m now almost 46, and it’s as true today as it was when I was 42. I’m not making great progress, but I’m still plugging along. And I’m still so grateful for your example.
Also, I’ve gone to bed with a clean kitchen 5 of the last 7 nights. It’s 11:05, and I haven’t cleaned it yet. I better get at it.