housework and sickness

[Rosarium]

Rosarium, come to my house and help me get rid of things.

Do you live near Allentown?

We have too many things.  It's great to see you around, btw.

The good thing about things is whether we have too much or too little, it soon does not matter.

A good start is to focus on cleaning surfaces. Make sure working surfaces, desks, tables, counters, sinks, etc, are free to be used. Keep what is actually used often easily accessed and the rest should not be stored in working areas (none of those desktop organizer things on a desk for instance). This can clean up the most used areas quickly and get the first steps of getting rid of excess done. Plus, it is almost always immediately useful and can do a lot to eliminate stress.

The only "thing" on my desk is a single pen. I can always go to my desk, do what I have to do, and put things away quickly (sort of, as my filing box is actually upstairs). I used to have a massive desktop clutter problem and I could not understand it. I wanted a clean desk, but things built up on it. I did so little on it, and I was confused. It took a good look at my habits to solve that, but I've got it licked now. My inbox (a box attached to the side of my desk) is never cluttered, my desk is always clear, and my stuff is always easy to get to. This was a personal victory for me, an otherwise simple and controlled person. Winning the battle of the desktop noticeably makes me more content in my material undertakings.

My desk is important because it is my only major piece of furniture. I learn at it, I eat at it, I am entertained at it, and I do productive things at it and having it clear and ready at all times required more effort than I thought it would, but it was worth reforming my habits.

Thanks. It is interesting to be back in a way.

[Jacafamala]

Rosarium, come to my house and help me get rid of things.

Do you live near Allentown?

We have too many things.  It's great to see you around, btw.

The good thing about things is whether we have too much or too little, it soon does not matter.

A good start is to focus on cleaning surfaces. Make sure working surfaces, desks, tables, counters, sinks, etc, are free to be used. Keep what is actually used often easily accessed and the rest should not be stored in working areas (none of those desktop organizer things on a desk for instance). This can clean up the most used areas quickly and get the first steps of getting rid of excess done. Plus, it is almost always immediately useful and can do a lot to eliminate stress.

The only "thing" on my desk is a single pen. I can always go to my desk, do what I have to do, and put things away quickly (sort of, as my filing box is actually upstairs). I used to have a massive desktop clutter problem and I could not understand it. I wanted a clean desk, but things built up on it. I did so little on it, and I was confused. It took a good look at my habits to solve that, but I've got it licked now. My inbox (a box attached to the side of my desk) is never cluttered, my desk is always clear, and my stuff is always easy to get to. This was a personal victory for me, an otherwise simple and controlled person. Winning the battle of the desktop noticeably makes me more content in my material undertakings.

My desk is important because it is my only major piece of furniture. I learn at it, I eat at it, I am entertained at it, and I do productive things at it and having it clear and ready at all times required more effort than I thought it would, but it was worth reforming my habits.

Thanks. It is interesting to be back in a way.

I'm in New Jersey.

I think that if one has kids, the battle to de-clutter is more complicated. They think they need more then they do, and they're resistant to letting go of stuff.

Plus, I'm always hanging onto clothes and books for the next kid to wear or read, but often it doesn't work for the next kid, or else the next kid doesn't like that style or genre. My goal this summer is to go through things and donate more clothing, toys and books to charity.

I am trying to teach the younger ones to clear their desktops so they don't have to do homework on their beads.

[Rosarium]

I'm in New Jersey.

I'm sorry to hear that. I will pray for you.

I think that if one has kids, the battle to de-clutter is more complicated. They think they need more then they do, and they're resistant to letting go of stuff.

Yes, kids are great sources of stuff and laundry. I do not have kids.

But I also notice kids are big on the "I want!", yet, are low on the ability to actually get stuff. And they are like adults too, more interested in obtaining and retaining, rather than actually using. They do not miss (for long) that which is no longer available.

I am trying to teach the younger ones to clear their desktops so they don't have to do homework on their beads.

Well, then they can at least pray while doing their homework.

(Yes, yes, but this is a Catholic forum.)

[Jacafamala]

I'm in New Jersey.

I'm sorry to hear that. I will pray for you.

Don't cry for me, we have Latin Masses every which way here. I'm in fine shape that way.

think that if one has kids, the battle to de-clutter is more complicated. They think they need more then they do, and they're resistant to letting go of stuff.

Yes, kids are great sources of stuff and laundry. I do not have kids.

But I also notice kids are big on the "I want!", yet, are low on the ability to actually get stuff. And they are like adults too, more interested in obtaining and retaining, rather than actually using. They do not miss (for long) that which is no longer available.

It motivates them to do paid chores. I like to pay for chores, because I figure I have to shell out the money, anyway, so I may as well make them work for it.

I am trying to teach the younger ones to clear their desktops so they don't have to do homework on their beads.

Yes, yes, but this is a Catholic forum.)
Well, then they can at least pray while doing their homework.

  Beds! Beds! Not beads.  A typo. I am good at those.

[yablabo]

How do you use this?  Sort of like a walker?  What a great idea.

You can either sit or lean on it

[per_passionem_eius]

How do you use this?  Sort of like a walker?  What a great idea.

You can either sit or lean on it

Can you lock the wheels?  Where did you buy it?

[yablabo]

How do you use this?  Sort of like a walker?  What a great idea.

You can either sit or lean on it

Can you lock the wheels?  Where did you buy it?

I don't believe the wheels lock.  I bought it at Enco, online:  http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=317-1846

[Vox Clamantis]

Pick one room for each day of the week,  have one day for laundry and just worry about that single room and the laundry on their given days (aside from putting things back as you go, doing dishes, wiping down counters as needed, etc.). If you're really bad off, you can spread the kitchen out over two days -- like just doing the fridge and kitchen windows on one day, and the oven, microwave, and counters the next.

Pick up as you go, put things back as soon as you're done with them, and think ahead and "double-duty" stuff. For ex., if you're in your living room and need to go to the kitchen to get a glass of water, stop and look around first to see if there's anything you can take with you that belongs in the kitchen.

Have your cleaning supplies in a basket you can carry around so they're all in one place, saving you trips. Since your floors are being swept and mopped for you, you'd likely only need furniture polish, glass cleaner, and cloths for each room aside from the bathroom and kitchen. Just stick those things in a little basket you can grab easily. Have the bathroom cleaning supplies stored in the bathroom, even if you have to duplicate something you have wherever you typically keep your cleaning supplies. You can keep the bathroom clean by cleaning one thing when you happen to go in for other reasons -- e.g., when you're done brushing your teeth, take a few minutes and clean the mirror. Next time, do the toilet. Etc.

As has been said, clear away the knick-knacks -- or put them under or behind glass (those domed glass bell jars, a glass-doored curio cabinet, etc.) so they don't collect as much dust and you can get away with dusting them much less frequently. Getting an air filter might help cut down on the need to dust, too (here's one at Amazon)

For Spring Cleaning type cleaning, call some friends
 

[per_passionem_eius]

Thanks again, everyone! 

Today, for the first time in years, I woke up with the hope that this apartment will some day, perhaps quite soon, look like a home rather than a dorm!  Instead of being overwhelmed with my wealth of possessions, and the responsibility that wealth entails, I now dream of a sparse space which will reflect my own inner poverty.  To reflect my inner purity, it will only have enough furniture to hold the cleaning supplies.  There will be little stations, placed according to the laws of beauty (perhaps randomly here and there, perhaps symmetrically), for the cleaning supplies. 

I think I'll place them symmetrically, just to be anti-modernist.

[Jacafamala]

Thanks again, everyone! 

Today, for the first time in years, I woke up with the hope that this apartment will some day, perhaps quite soon, look like a home rather than a dorm!  Instead of being overwhelmed with my wealth of possessions, and the responsibility that wealth entails, I now dream of a sparse space which will reflect my own inner poverty.  To reflect my inner purity, it will only have enough furniture to hold the cleaning supplies.  There will be little stations, placed according to the laws of beauty (perhaps randomly here and there, perhaps symmetrically), for the cleaning supplies. 

I think I'll place them symmetrically, just to be anti-modernist.

Fabulous!