Do you struggle to make decisions and complete tasks amongst the clutter in your house? After a busy day at work, do you come back to a messy environment and feel more stressed? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many of us are dissatisfied with the state of our homes and wished they were tidier.
But when it gets to the stage that our homes are unmanageable and have an impact on our lives is when we need to change. In extreme cases an untidy home can lead to hoarding disorders.
A hoarding disorder has been described by the NHS as when a person acquires an excessive number of items and stores them in a chaotic manner. Failure to seek help can ‘cause not only loneliness and mental health problems, but also pose a health and safety risk’.
Whatever position you may be in, organising your household is one of the best places to start to make your life easier. Here’s our advice to get you on the right track…
Outsource, Automate and Schedule
If you’re a busy bee, then keeping your home clean and tidy can be a lot of work on top of your usual chores and responsibilities. In this case a simple solution would be to outsource or automate aspects of your work.
An example of outsourcing would of course be to hire a cleaner. If you can afford to, then this might be one of the best investments you ever make!
Alternatively, you can automate some of the more time-consuming tasks by using the right equipment and systems. A dishwasher can save you time washing up. Likewise, a robotic vacuum cleaner can make it easier to vacuum! Whilst these items may seem like luxury purchases, consider them investments to make your life more manageable.
Create a rota to complete household chores, and delegate to your family for support. By using a ‘little but often’ system you will find more time and less mess.
Minimise
Another tip is to go minimal. The less items you have, the less there is to clean, the less there is to lose and the more spacious your home will feel.
Start with your ornaments and decorations. Cut those items in half and not only will it now be far easier to clean and tidy those rooms but your home will be much more visually appealing to visitors – as they say, less is more!
Yes, we know, de-cluttering your house is much easier said than done, especially when you see value in items. Why not sell your items online, pass them on or have a car boot? That way you will be able to make some money and find a home for them, rather than simply binning your possessions.
If there are aspects of your life that are getting you down, contact us at Birmingham Counselling Services via the Contact page or on 0121 314 9903 to speak to one of our friendly counsellors and see how they can help.