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People tend to underestimate how much of an impact their environment has on their psychological state, as well as their mood. Having a tidy, clean, cozy, distraction-free place to live and work can help give you a boost toward your goals and aspirations. Meanwhile, constantly living in a pigsty can harm your physical, as well as mental health.
Today, Bored Panda is featuring some of the most powerful and beautiful space transformations after people decided to clean their rooms, as shared on the r/ICleanedMyRoom and r/BeforeandAfter subreddits. Seriously, seeing these pics is like removing an irksome splinter. Check out the most impressive clean-ups below and upvote the pics that brought a smile to your face, Pandas. Do you have any tips for doing chores when they’ve piled up or when you can’t find the inner strength to get out of bed? Drop by the comments and help out your fellow Pandas.
If you were waiting for a sign from the Universe, this is it, Pandas. Take the time to do a chore you’ve been putting off, whether it’s vacuuming your room, folding the laundry, throwing out that moldy vegetable at the back of your fridge, or doing the dishes. Even doing something seemingly small is a major step forward. We promise you, you’ll feel soooo much better afterward.
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#1
Trying To Get My Life Together After A Bad Bout Of Depression
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
This is so satisfying. As a chronically depressed human person, I can relate.
ali lilley 3 years ago
Well done! I had depression for years and struggled just to make my bed. I know how much effort that must have taken you, it's a great step and I hope you continue to get well. You are amazing ❤️
Gwen LeMay 3 years ago
keep it up , I've been there too many times, now getting therapy and I'm feeling better each day I make it out of my place and walk to Therapy
Fry Me A Liver 3 years ago
That's a beautiful space now, and I can imagine how difficult it must have been to tackle it. Good for you!
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago (edited)
I have Bipolar 2. After a year from hell, right after our previous 2 years of…. I am moving forward with my life and moving on to a new home. And here I thought my theme “Everywhere I see beautiful things” was original. You beat me to it. Great job. This kind of environment helps so much.
Ellise Parry 3 years ago
Awesome job. This takes so much to achieve. Always take comfort with your rats x
RELATED:
#2
Depression Took Over My Life And Kept Me Down For Months. Finally Got Motivation To Do Better. Next Step Is Bedroom. The Goal Is The Whole Apartment. Gotta Keep Myself Going
Deborah B 3 years ago
It's great to go one room at a time. Any time you get discouraged look at one of your clean rooms, and remind yourself that you deserve a tidy home. And maybe reward yourself with some plants.
Cassie 3 years ago
Also, don't be afraid to put trash cans in odd but convenient places. Stick a big one right next to the couch where it is just really easy to toss garbage without making the effort. I keep a small one under my coffee table even when things are good. It used to be a popcorn tin.
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Kristi Savage Cook 3 years ago
Great job my dear. Keep it going and perhaps I shall follow suit :)
SirWriteALot 3 years ago
I see there's a baby crib in there ... I hope you're well enough to take care of it. Having a kid is tough, it'll throw a wrench in the best of plans :-) Just remember that the little one is entirely dependent on you, and as long as you take care of its basic needs (food, hygiene, clothes, health) you're doing great.
steaky 3 years ago
It is not because they want to, they can't do it at that moment in life. In their mind there is a huge fight going on that you can't see. Instead of being upset about them neglecting their homes, be more upset about their mental wellness. They know their place is a mess....
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#3
Gave My Depression Dungeon A Makeover!
Eliyahu Rooff 3 years ago
Much nicer, although I can't imagine wanting to replace that lovely sleigh bed.
Generally speaking, people tend to have different tolerances for messiness. Most of us know (or are!) a stereotypical artist who embraces chaos and lives in what many assume is a mess, though it’s a carefully arranged system based on convenience. There’s a reason why there are stacks of paper all over the floor… though the dozen mugs of cold coffee next to their desk were probably just forgotten about and far intentionally placed there.
In other words, people are different. Some thrive when there’s a bit of creative chaos or don’t mind a small backlog of chores. Others, however, feel best in a gleaming home that’s always showcase-ready. The issues start popping up when there’s a lack of hygiene. Plopping a sweater and a pair of pants on the back of your chair won’t break the world. Not taking out the trash, letting dust build up week after week, and wearing the same dirty clothes day in and day out, however, is awful for your health and dignity. It also won’t impress anyone who comes over.
#4
I'm Currently In Intensive Outpatient Therapy For My Depression And Feeling Loads Better, So My Room Needed To Reflect That!
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
I know right. I've slowly been cleaning my room this week too. These posts are such a motivation helper.
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Phyllis Turbin 3 years ago
The joy of finding a favorite shirt or book (etc) can be just the pick me up to continue the journey.
#5
I Took A Mental Health Day From Work To Deep Clean My Entire House. It Was So So Bad. There Are Lots Of Before And After Shots. Hope To Bring Someone Some Motivation Because It Feels Amazing For It All To Be Clean!
rafalkoleah 3 years ago
Howww?? I can't get the motivation??? But I think being on such a messy house is making me more depressed
Cara G 3 years ago
That's exactly it. Your external surroundings both reflect your mental state and have a direct impact on it. It's a cycle that only we can break ourselves out of and frequently the motivation to clean our mess (literally and metaphorically) is also somewhat external. A therapist's homework, friends won't come over anymore, etc. It's not impossible to find the motivation yourself though. I live with depression and anxiety and one of the ways I keep it managed is by deliberately tidying my living space (small tasks daily, larger cleaning weekly). That way my home never gets to the point where the task feels impossible and I'm always caring for my mental health 🤗
Load More Replies... Ben 3 years ago
If I tried taking a mental health day where I work in the US they would think it was a joke. So frustrating living and working in a place that is so behind the times.
Zoe Duddle 3 years ago
Don't tell them that's what it's for. Don't tell them what it is for at all. Put the day in, stay away from work for 24 hours and have an air of mystery about you.
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#6
I Suffer From Severe Depression. As Embarrassing As It Is To Admit, I Had Let My Bathroom Go For So Long That My Cats Had Used The Laundry Pile In The Corner As A Litter Box. It's Not Finished, But It's A Small Step Towards A Cleaner House
swasti mukti 3 years ago
So proud of you! You should treat yourself to some nice smelling soaps & shampoo 😊
Weirdest Bi You’ll Ever Meet 3 years ago
Baby step, my fellow depresso. Hang on tight and don’t let go. YOU ARE WORTHY MY FRIEND!
Johnny Frank 3 years ago
Good for you mama. Now fix ur crown, and get ready for the next obstacle, no matter what it is, YOU GOT THIS!!!!
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
The throne room is arguably the most important room in the house. It looks nice.
There are plenty of reasons why someone fails to clean their room month after month. It might have something to do with the deep sense of exhaustion they feel from school or work—they might not have the mental energy to do anything but rest after a long day. Others are (let’s face it) simply lazy and would rather do something pleasurable (watching TV, playing video games, going out with friends) than spend their valuable time wiping stuff.
Meanwhile, if someone is typically an organized person, living in a messy home can, sometimes, be an indication that they might have depression, according to PsychCentral. In short, letting your chores pile up for weeks and months on end can be a reflection of your inner mental and emotional turmoil, feeling overwhelmed, and having an utter lack of motivation. Living in a clean house can help your mental health.
On the flip side, compulsively cleaning your home each and every day for hours on end is potentially a sign that you have OCD: you're sacrificing time that could be spent enjoying life to the fullest by fighting against literal and metaphorical contamination. In both cases, you ought to reach out to a mental health specialist. You may have undiagnosed depression or OCD.
#7
I Can't Believe I Was Able To Push Myself To Do This. I Am Sooo Relieved
ali lilley 3 years ago
Having lived in a similar space, I know how much work went into that. It seems never ending but you did it. X
Weirdest Bi You’ll Ever Meet 3 years ago
Huge bedroom, my friend! Very lucky! That would have been a big baby step for me.
#8
This Community Is Beyond Amazing. Every Time I Wanted To Give Up, I Kept Going So I Could Post A Picture Here
swasti mukti 3 years ago
There's the table in the 1st pic, alongside the chairs. Buried under a lot of stuff, but you can spot the leg & tablecloth
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Jay Tomlinson 3 years ago
That cabinet in the wall is so dope! I had an old Victorian apartment in Denver, from the 1800s. Used to be a boarding school for women and I had really cool stuff like that in there too
Nikki Reed 3 years ago
They also painted the wall with that outside door. It was white and red brick in the before photo. Now it's dark blue (?).
#9
Take 2: From Chronic Binge Drinker To Three Weeks Sober
Sandra Morison 3 years ago
Well done and remember one slip up is not the end, just start over and you will get there
Cara G 3 years ago
Thank you so much for saying this. The idea that falling off once means you lose all your work and must hit the reset button is the single worst aspect of 12 stepping IMO. It is so strict and downright punishing it almost feels like the goal is to shame people into getting/staying sober.
Load More Replies... ali lilley 3 years ago
Three weeks is amazing. As a recovering addict, I can promise you that life is much better being drug free. Keep at it.
Vanessa Ubl 3 years ago
Any tips or advice? I do very much commend you, your strength and determination are admirable and inspiring
A while back, Bored Panda spoke to parenting blogger Samantha Scroggin, from Walking Outside in Slippers, and she was kind enough to give us some top tips about keeping the house clean and doing chores while raising kids.
"Keeping the house clean is a moving target in my experience. But for me personally, an at least somewhat clean house is tremendously important to my mental health. A tidy house helps me feel more in control of my life, and able to handle the curveballs that often come our way as busy parents,” Samantha shared with us during an earlier interview.
#10
The Last Few Months Have Felt Like An Uphill Battle Against Depression. This Is The Cleanest My Room Has Been In A Long While. It Took Me All Day In 35 Degree Heat But I’m So Glad It’s Done. Here’s To A Brighter Tomorrow
Andrea Gager 3 years ago
I just want you to know that both pictures are ok. You were doing what you needed to do for yourself in the first picture. And you are doing what you need to do for yourself in the second picture too.
Cara G 3 years ago
I didn't know what I was going to see when I clicked on this. Coming to the comments section, however, is bringing me so much joy and reminding me of why I love the BP community. With the exception of a few trolls and bots, this is a very friendly, supportive, and encouraging space. It warms my heart reading so many uplifting words toward complete strangers. I hope all of you know just how awesome you are and that you are part of my morning routine, checking my notifications, seeing your fantastic replies, learning new things about so many topics, hearing stories from around the world, and often laughing so hard my stomach hurts. So thank you all for being your amazing selves and for coming here each day and adding a bit more kindness to the world.
Weirdest Bi You’ll Ever Meet 3 years ago
Good job! You are a conqueror, my friend. Conquer your depression and slay it with your mighty sword! ( I probably toke that way to far) Rmeonder to salt every day!
#11
Been Very Depressed And Drinking My Life Away Since Being Laid Off Due To Covid. I’m Finally Pulling My Self Up Off The Ground
#12
My Desk Was A Catch All. Now I Actually Have A Space To Work And Craft
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
I really like the thread holder. My grandma sewed constantly. She would have appreciated that little gadget.
According to the parenting blogger, she makes small mental housekeeping task lists each day and tries to get through them.
"The tasks could be as simple as emptying the dishwasher or putting away a load of laundry. Maybe most importantly, I invest in a professional housekeeping service once a month. That helps keep the house in a manageable state to the point that I can keep the house from getting totally out of control in-between visits. That said, I think parenting comes with a certain degree of clutter to be expected,” she said.
#13
I Cleaned My Way Out Of My Depression Nest So I Could Start The New Year On A Better (And Cleaner) Note
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
Amazing!! I know you can keep this up. It perpetuates itself when you start to feel better.
#14
Before And After! I Cleaned My Garage!
#15
From Chronic Binge Drinker To Two Weeks Sober
Kristi Savage Cook 3 years ago
Congratulations! I hope you have a support team at home that can help you keep going xx
"My house is always a little bit chaotic because we all have big personalities and are a loud and busy bunch. But I stress to my kids the importance of us being kind to one another. Kindness and love are at the root of a happy home for me, even when things get crazy and we slip up and say things we don't mean,” mom Samantha told Bored Panda.
"I have a terrible time getting my kids to do chores, so I don't have much advice in this department. Sometimes, with lots of praise and often with a small monetary payment, I can get my kids to help with chores they don't mind. I do insist my kids clear their plates after every meal, and clean their rooms," she said.
#16
Productivity Has Kicked In!
Kel_how 3 years ago
Very nice! Sometimes a small space looks 10x bigger when you give it a little love.
#17
Flipped The Switch And Cleaned My Mom’s Bedroom!
DrLivingstonipresume 3 years ago
That is not the same room. I don't think that person ripped up the nasty carpet and refinished the wood floors
mrsmir 3 years ago
I think it IS the same room but they did a lot more than just “clean” so this isn’t really fair lol They ripped up the rug, painted the walls and door and brought in some new furniture.
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TheDemonicCat 3 years ago
The photo has simply been taken from a different Angle
Load More Replies... #18
Finally Cleaned Our Playroom/Schoolroom That I Neglected All Summer
Emmydearest 3 years ago
I hope they got their kids to help them in the process. It's never to young to learn how to tidy up, especially if it's their own mess!
Brian 3 years ago
I mean, this is great. I REALLY like this list. However, labelling this as a school room/play room is concerning. That is borderline child neglect/abuse. If you have an issue, be it mental health or substance abuse issues, seek help. There is no reason for children to suffer due to a parents negligence. They did not consent to this situation.
Meanwhile, during another interview, Bored Panda spoke about our homes as a way of keeping ourselves happy by staying true to who we are with Dan Bacon, from The Modern Man. He noted that we’ll never impress everyone, so it’s best to focus on living in the type of home where we put our needs first and foremost. Focusing just on how we want others to perceive us is a path to misery and anxiety.
“A man’s home is part of what people initially use to judge his social status and character. However, how he behaves and acts with the people who come over to his place says so much more about him," he pointed out that how we act and speak is far more important.
#19
Cleaning My Disaster House
Emmydearest 3 years ago
But wait, are those stairs on the bottom left corner? If so, the room should really have a railing to prevent falling over. Or at least a big piece of furniture that would act as a banister
April Stephens 3 years ago
A big piece of furniture seems even more dangerous! What if someone pushes it and it goes over the edge? 😱
Load More Replies... #20
Getting My Mental Illness Diagnosed And Starting Medication Is Literally Changing My Life
#21
Storage Closet At Work
"A man might have a perfectly tidy, well-designed, and stylish home, but be very nervous and try too hard to impress people who come over. So, rather than seeing him as a cool, confident, successful man they can admire and look up to, most people just perceive him as a nervous, insecure guy with a nice place. Alternatively, they may see him as a guy who tries hard to please others with material things because he's insecure about himself and doesn't feel good enough in their eyes,” the dating expert told us.
#22
Shoutout To My Mom For Helping Me
#23
After Being This Dirty For Over A Year I Finally Cleaned My Living Room In January And I’ve Kept Up With It So Far
#24
After A Bout Of Depression, Many Unsuccessful Attempts To Do More Than Fill The Dishwasher, And A Lot Of Takeout Due To Not Wanting To Be In The Kitchen... It Is Clean
The Blinking Duck 3 years ago
I know this is beside the point but I LOVE that sink. Sorry. Carry on.
"Remember that most people care more about themselves than other people. So, allow people to talk about themselves, rather than always trying to be the center of attention. Also remember to not try to oversell yourself or your place, to hopefully gain people’s approval. Be confident and secure in who you are as a person and let your surroundings provide additional clues about who you are and how you approach life,” Dan tackled the topic of having guests over at one’s place.
#25
We Had Company Over For The First Time Since Pre-Pandemic So It Was A Great Excuse To Clean
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
This one is going to be hard to keep clean because there's still too much stuff packed in the space. The toughest part, but the easiest in the long run, is getting rid of things you no longer use or need. Having clean countertops and easy places to put things away makes it so much easier to keep a house clean.
featherytoad 3 years ago
I agree. It still looks very cluttered but neat.
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#26
I Cleaned The Damn Playroom
Weirdest Bi You’ll Ever Meet 3 years ago
Fr! I would love to play there, too!
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VM37 3 years ago
Too many toys for my taste. I keep donating them, and the family keep giving the kids New ones.
Mary Jeffries 3 years ago
Every time I do, they find toys they haven’t seen in a long while. Then they play so hard and make it a mess all over again.
Brian 3 years ago
How did it get to that point in the top picture? I congratulate you on getting it organized, but that is troubling. I hope that was only a one-day snapshot before it was cleaned up. Children should not have to deal with parental negligence, however it is “scoped”. There is literally no excuse that is acceptable to justify a child (who cannot consent) being in that type of destructive and chaotic environment.
Cara G 3 years ago (edited)
Easy now! Do you have children? I don't. But even I can come up with several "acceptable" excuses as to how a playroom could get to this point in a matter of minutes. Not only did I raise my sister's 21 year old but I care for her two youngest (8 and 5) every day. Invite one friend over and this is what happens. Or maybe Mom/Dad/both or whoever is the primary caregiver was sick for a day or so. Easily this could be the result. I'd also not categorize this as negligent parenting. There are AMPLE toys here that are clearly being used, and the room IS being cleaned even if it fell to the side temporarily. That is quite the opposite of neglect. I think the troubling aspect is that you're being so harsh in your assessment of what's going on here.
Load More Replies... #27
My Partner's And My Bedroom In Our First Place Together. Just Need To Add Pictures And Plants To This Room!
Claudia Dugral 3 years ago
Don't add anything on purpose. With time things do gather... trust me
Bored Retsuko 3 years ago
That’s what I always say... better to put too little, and have the room looking a bit boring, because you'll end up putting stuff anyway.
Load More Replies... "If you enjoy placing a lot of importance on your home because it means a lot to you, then do that. If you only see it as a place to live and want to focus your attention on other things, you should do that. You can never impress or please everyone, no matter what you do. Just look at celebrities as an example. They have millions of people who love them and millions who hate them,” he said.
#28
Turns Out Living Alone Is More Difficult Than I Thought But I Am Finally Catching Up With The Mess
#29
Depression Cleaning
Leigh Jones 3 years ago
THIS IS THE BEST. It takes time to do this stuff alone, and it's hard to get rid of stuff you couldn't bear to throw away. I expect you had some help, and you asked the helper not to throw it away yet. Reward for the most truthful post here. You know those bags are holding you to a life you dislike. But you don't open them. Good for YOU xxxx
Teresa Spanics 3 years ago
Good for you 🤗💖 AWW, your dear sweet kitty aka feline overlord/lady looks like they want to help 😻💖
Brian Droste 3 years ago
Great job, but Should have waited for the after picture until you got rid of the garbage bags, but again great job.
#30
I Helped My Boyfriend Clean His Room!
Warrior Mama 3 years ago
It looks great, but if you're considering being with him long term you want to be careful about potentially being the only one who cares about/does cleaning. Subsequent times of having to do this in order to have a tidy and livable space gets old very quickly
"The same applies to your home. You will never make it, furnish it or arrange it in a way where everyone loves you for it and wishes they had it. Some people will love it, others will like it and some will hate it. So, just enjoy doing what you want to do. That’s the only way you’ll truly be happy."
#31
Before And After. 7 Hours Free Cleaning
#32
I Don’t Know How It Got This Bad, But Never Again!
Phoebe Bean 3 years ago
Maybe just me, but I think moving the bed and put the keyboard in front of the window for inspiration after you open the blinds?? You would still have the bed as a "bench"...
Load More Replies... #33
Finally Got My S**t Together And Cleaned And Organized The Living Room
Audra Sisler 3 years ago
It feels oddly comforting to know I'm not the only one😢i need to get my a*s in gear and finally do something!!!! Thank you all for sharing this...... Make me want to be a better person😘
roses are red 3 years ago
Depression is c**p..best description I heard of why this happens is ' the impossible task'. Everyone who has depression will find some, if not all, regular tasks hard to do. Housecleaning, paying bills, putting bins out, washing clothes, shopping, personal care. It's tiring just considering doing the 'impossible task'. If you know someone who has depression, ask them if there is something you can help them do...not do for them..but do it together...if they say yes, they are trusting you to not be judgemental, or gossip about them, and, I promise as someone who received this gift, it will help them feel better about themselves, find confidence again, and help the healing
Caroline Kimber 3 years ago
Depression is so debilitating, as an example, that even washing up a glass is too much.
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#34
Cleaning My Disaster House
Mary Kelly 3 years ago
look...this person was struggling...and this is a major accomplishment...keep the neg comments in your head man
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Cara G 3 years ago
Yes I really need to know why there is an aquarium in the bathroom and what exactly, if anything, resides in it.
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#35
Downstairs Cleaning- Before And After
bElLa sTairZz 3 years ago
these two pictures dont look that different to me other than being from a different angle, can somebody tell me what the main differences are?
#36
Sometimes Life Happens. We Live In Our House And It’s Never Picture Perfect But This Kitchen Was Shameful. New Job, Long Hours, Sick Kids... It’s Been A Hell Of A Year And We Are Only 3 Months In
#37
Last Room Of The House After Spending A Week Cleaning
#38
My Kids Room. They Helped, And Agree We Can't Let It Get This Far Again... Fingers Crossed! It's Been An Good Time To Purge And Organized
bob van wijk 3 years ago
I'm so glad my kids got older. My whole house used to look like this and you cleaned it all and within a day it was like that again. Didn't help that my son told his friends that you could throw everything on the floor in my house, cause I didn't mind. Aaaargh. And when it finally stayed clean, I thought: Yay! It's so clean! Lets buy rabbits. You vacuum everything and within one day my carpet is filthy.
#39
Still Have More To Go, But At Least Now I Can Concentrate And Not Be Overwhelmed!
#42
Depression Room Clean Up
Sherry Errera 3 years ago
Nice plush rug upgrade! It looks so soft and fluffy...looks much cozier than the rug you had before.
DrLivingstonipresume 3 years ago
Um. That room was hardly a mess before. Unmade bed and some clothes on the floor
#43
Two Weeks Sober And One Corner Tackled
#44
I Finally Cleaned Our Pantry
#45
Two Full Days Of Work, Still Worth It Though!
#46
I've Been Living In A Depression Nest For Over A Year. Not Anymore!
#48
It Will Be Messy Again In Two Weeks, But I Really Tried
Kel_how 3 years ago (edited)
Make it a game to keep it clean! Set a timer for 5/10/15 minutes and see how much you can do!
Caroline Kimber 3 years ago (edited)
I actually love this, and will use it!
Load More Replies... #49
Finally Cleaned My Desk And Organized My Makeup
#50
I Cleaned My Boyfriends Depression Nest When He Was Working Overtime One Weekend
Kay Willsher 3 years ago
This is a truly wonderful way of helping someone caught in depression. There's so little we can do that actually makes a difference, but something like this can bring such relief.
#52
“Collected Random Items” Room < Crafting Room!
#53
Cleaning Really Gives Me Some Space In My Mind As Well
#54
After Two Years Of Living In A Mess, I’m Proud To Say That My Room Has Stayed Clean And Organized For A Whole Month Now. I Regularly Do Laundry, Vacuum And Tidy Up When I Can (Something I Only Could Dream About A Couple Of Months Ago)
#55
Cleaned The Shared Fridge
#56
Organized My Clothes For The New Year!
Deborah B 3 years ago
Looks good! If you find that you can't keep your stacks tidy, get some boxes or baskets, and store the clothes like files, flipping your stacks so the current front edge is the top, and you can see all the clothes without digging through and disarranging them. I do it for my craft fabric, and it really helps. KKWJ9871-6...ac33eb.jpg 
#57
A Clean And Organized Kitchen After Sunday Brunch Is My Happy Place
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Jasam Nitko 3 years ago
We are disabled and struggle with additional health problems. Our office has been a hell hole for years. We've been working on it for months and hope to have it cleared by december. I think it's important to remember that you don't have to fix it all in one day. It's OK to work in your own pace. My mom is nagging us wondering if we are done yet and I have to explain (again) that we can't do it as quickly as healthy people can. I wish she would just shut up.
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
Perhaps explain one more time, and then say "I understand totally that you want the best for us, but the constant questions are starting to feel like nagging. We'll let you know when it has been done. We're hoping to finish by December." If she keeps asking, smile politely, shake your head and change the subject.
Load More Replies... Mat O'Dowd 3 years ago
Kudos to all the people sharing ! I find it difficult to understand how rooms can get so messy, if just for practical reasons such as circulating them. Depression is no joke from what I can see through various posts on this site.
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
It can be a vicious cycle, depression makes you so tired it becomes impossible to do even the most basic cleaning like picking up last night's dishes. The problem compounds and you have no clean dishes so you just get takout and then those start piling up. Then your space becomes so cluttered that you basically shut down and tune out the problem because it's just too much to deal with.
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Marja Berisa 3 years ago
Depression can be debilitating, but I feel bed for the pets, too - in many pictures, there were dogs or cats. If you can't take care of yourself, how can you take care of a pet? I mean, if you can't get out of your bed, how you're gonna walk your dog?
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
It's often easier to find the energy/will to take care of pets that oneself.
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Oskar vanZandt 3 years ago
I think that most of us just have too much "stuff". I've managed to declutter much of my living space but still have plenty! I can relate to feeling unmotivated due to mental health challenges... struggle some myself at times.
The Radio Demon 3 years ago
My neighbor has two kids, (10 and 6) and their house was an actual disaster. Floor-to-ceiling horrifyingly messy toy racks, dirty dishes stacked miles high on the table, drawings plastering every inch of the walls, wrappers and sticky stuff on the floor everywhere, you name it. Thank god they have a hardwood floor, since I spent over 9 hours deep cleaning their house and carpet would have made it impossible to get the stickys out of it. And it's still not done. (no photos since the mother said no)
Tamara 3 years ago
This hit home. I had tried to help get my aunt to tidy her house. Each time she cancelled our appointment. She finally drunk herself to death and left the mess. It was her only reason to clean up, to avoid leaving a mess. And she failed, she must have been in such a sad place. I am so sorry i could not help her.
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
I wish I could show pictures of my old apartment from when I hit rock bottom. I had six months worth of dirty dishes. Ever seen purple mold? I have. My apartment was also above the laundry room and got horrible black mold over the winter.
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
I'm so sorry, what a terrible place to be in physically and mentally. I'm glad you found a way to fight out of that pit and hope things keep getting better for you.
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Jasam Nitko 3 years ago
We are disabled and struggle with additional health problems. Our office has been a hell hole for years. We've been working on it for months and hope to have it cleared by december. I think it's important to remember that you don't have to fix it all in one day. It's OK to work in your own pace. My mom is nagging us wondering if we are done yet and I have to explain (again) that we can't do it as quickly as healthy people can. I wish she would just shut up.
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
Perhaps explain one more time, and then say "I understand totally that you want the best for us, but the constant questions are starting to feel like nagging. We'll let you know when it has been done. We're hoping to finish by December." If she keeps asking, smile politely, shake your head and change the subject.
Load More Replies... Mat O'Dowd 3 years ago
Kudos to all the people sharing ! I find it difficult to understand how rooms can get so messy, if just for practical reasons such as circulating them. Depression is no joke from what I can see through various posts on this site.
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
It can be a vicious cycle, depression makes you so tired it becomes impossible to do even the most basic cleaning like picking up last night's dishes. The problem compounds and you have no clean dishes so you just get takout and then those start piling up. Then your space becomes so cluttered that you basically shut down and tune out the problem because it's just too much to deal with.
Load More Replies... Marja Berisa 3 years ago
Depression can be debilitating, but I feel bed for the pets, too - in many pictures, there were dogs or cats. If you can't take care of yourself, how can you take care of a pet? I mean, if you can't get out of your bed, how you're gonna walk your dog?
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
It's often easier to find the energy/will to take care of pets that oneself.
Load More Replies... Oskar vanZandt 3 years ago
I think that most of us just have too much "stuff". I've managed to declutter much of my living space but still have plenty! I can relate to feeling unmotivated due to mental health challenges... struggle some myself at times.
The Radio Demon 3 years ago
My neighbor has two kids, (10 and 6) and their house was an actual disaster. Floor-to-ceiling horrifyingly messy toy racks, dirty dishes stacked miles high on the table, drawings plastering every inch of the walls, wrappers and sticky stuff on the floor everywhere, you name it. Thank god they have a hardwood floor, since I spent over 9 hours deep cleaning their house and carpet would have made it impossible to get the stickys out of it. And it's still not done. (no photos since the mother said no)
Tamara 3 years ago
This hit home. I had tried to help get my aunt to tidy her house. Each time she cancelled our appointment. She finally drunk herself to death and left the mess. It was her only reason to clean up, to avoid leaving a mess. And she failed, she must have been in such a sad place. I am so sorry i could not help her.
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
I wish I could show pictures of my old apartment from when I hit rock bottom. I had six months worth of dirty dishes. Ever seen purple mold? I have. My apartment was also above the laundry room and got horrible black mold over the winter.
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
I'm so sorry, what a terrible place to be in physically and mentally. I'm glad you found a way to fight out of that pit and hope things keep getting better for you.
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