Depression can really do a number on your motivation and energy level.1 At times, it can be difficult to keep up with the day-to-day chores around the house. Yet, too often a messy house only makes us feel worse and it can be very discouraging.
Keep Up As You Go
The bigger the job, the more daunting the task. However, small tasks that can be done quickly can really add up and help you maintain a clean home.
- Rinse and put the dishes in the dishwasher right away rather than let the dishes stack up
- Get in the habit of sorting your mail and organizing what you need to keep. It’s much better than throwing a pile on the kitchen table.
- Spray down your shower when you’re done to prevent mold and mildew buildup and make deep cleaning a whole lot easier.
These are just a few examples, but it’s the simplest things that make a difference. By taking care of things immediately, your home will stay clean and clutter free.
Set Manageable Goals
Give yourself a task to accomplish that feels manageable each day. Over the course of a week, it adds up to a cleaner home.
For instance, you might clean the bathroom on Sunday, then toss in a load of laundry on Monday.
Each task may take you thirty minutes, but this can be more productive than setting aside an entire day for cleaning.
Plus, if you’re not in the mood to clean, a chore that takes less time is easier to handle than a long and seemingly endless list.
Learn to Work Efficiently
Jobs that can be done faster are more likely to get done when you are tired. Come up with a few tricks to cut the time you spend cleaning.
This could be as simple as taking a top-down approach to sprucing up the living room. Begin by removing clutter, then give furniture a quick dusting before getting out the vacuum.
It also helps to gather all your supplies from the start. This will erase the need to run to the cleaning closet every five minutes.
Break Through Procrastination
When we feel bad it’s so easy to say, “Oh, I’ll just do that tomorrow.” Learn techniques to break through the urge to procrastinate. This can save you from having all the little jobs pile up into a big one.
