My new self-therapy routine – cleaning

[Sensei]

I've been very depressed and suicidal lately, and it hasn't helped that my apartment is a mess. A week ago it struck me that I could try something which I've tried in the past: do something every day that I don't want to do, such as cleaning, and scribble it down so I can see what I've accomplished and push myself to do more.

Now, it's always difficult to get started, especially if one's depressed and lacks energy and motivation, but I've found a way around this problem. I'm bipolar and impulsive and I use this to my advantage by acting on impulse. If the thought that the hallway needs to be vacuumed strikes me I immediately start vacuuming it, so that there's no room for hesitation. The beauty of this is that when I clean I feel less anxiety, because I get absorbed by the work. It's simply a very effective distraction. When I see my clean(er) apartment and my list of accomplishments I also feel a little bit less depressed than before. I throw away stuff I don't really need or give it to charity as well, which makes my apartment look less messy. (The latter might be my subconscious telling me that it's time to go soon, but that's another story.) Since I have a large apartment and two pets there will always be work to do. I hope I'll be able to keep this up, knock on wood.

It's a strange thing to say, but I really recommend cleaning as self-therapy. The trick is to get started immediately when you think your home needs some cleaning.

 

[DocNo]

I've been very depressed and suicidal lately, and it hasn't helped that my apartment is a mess. A week ago it struck me that I could try something which I've tried in the past: do something every day that I don't want to do, such as cleaning, and scribble it down so I can see what I've accomplished and push myself to do more.

Now, it's always difficult to get started, especially if one's depressed and lacks energy and motivation, but I've found a way around this problem. I'm bipolar and impulsive and I use this to my advantage by acting on impulse. If the thought that the hallway needs to be vacuumed strikes me I immediately start vacuuming it, so that there's no room for hesitation. The beauty of this is that when I clean I feel less anxiety, because I get absorbed by the work. It's simply a very effective distraction. When I see my clean(er) apartment and my list of accomplishments I also feel a little bit less depressed than before. I throw away stuff I don't really need or give it to charity as well, which makes my apartment look less messy. (The latter might be my subconscious telling me that it's time to go soon, but that's another story.) Since I have a large apartment and two pets there will always be work to do. I hope I'll be able to keep this up, knock on wood.

It's a strange thing to say, but I really recommend cleaning as self-therapy. The trick is to get started immediately when you think your home needs some cleaning.

i talked lately about this with a friend here. and we both agreed that doing something "real" like cleaning up the apartment gives us a good feeling afterwards. like we have something accomplished.

sometimes i think that this working on the computer and only doing virtual stuff has not that much of an impact cause it's so virtual.
i then sometimes think in my next life i wanna make a job like carpenter cause i realize more and more that doing something "real" gives a bit more the feeling of having something accomplished.

maybe you also could think of some hobby where you build something. just an idea. i should also tell this myself. maybe that would also be good for me.

and i really hope you get through it. we don't know each other for very long but i always like to read from you and exchange thoughts with you.

 

[NeverGoodEnuff]

I do this, too. It is, as you say, hard to get started when all you want to do is lay on the couch or stay in bed. I hate doing housework so sometimes I make myself do it as a punishment for "feeling sorry for myself". Whatever it takes to force myself to do it because it does help.

Thanks for posting this.

 

[Makko]

Besides the sense of accomplishment, the improvement to your environment is also important. A clean and uncluttered living space helps ease the mind a lot. I enjoy minimalism and don't have anything in my flat that I don't need, and some sparse decoration that I particularly like. Coming home to a tidy oasis really improves the mood.

 

[DocNo]

Besides the sense of accomplishment, the improvement to your environment is also important. A clean and uncluttered living space helps ease the mind a lot. I enjoy minimalism and don't have anything in my flat that I don't need, and some sparse decoration that I particularly like. Coming home to a tidy oasis really improves the mood.

yep. i am also a minimalist. don't know anybody who has as little as i have. comes also handy in terms of having less to clean.

 

[signifying nothing]

yep. i am also a minimalist. don't know anybody who has as little as i have. comes also handy in terms of having less to clean.

Minimalist here too, helps reduce my anxiety. Though lately I have been trying to have/keep more things so I can for example have a hot drink (mug, kettle, spoon, tea).

 

[DocNo]

Minimalist here too, helps reduce my anxiety. Though lately I have been trying to have/keep more things so I can for example have a hot drink (mug, kettle, spoon, tea).

every year i make one session where i eliminate stuff and the older i get the more i realize how little i really need. owning things feels more and more like burden for me.

 

[signifying nothing]

every year i make one session where i eliminate stuff and the older i get the more i realize how little i really need. owning things feels more and more like burden for me.

I find it relieves some of the anxiety of existing (and the things needed to exist), in turn helping to ease my suicidal feelings. It's like the things of mine ctb rather than me needing to. Same with general cleaning, I guess it's essentially getting rid of some of yourself.

 

[mahakaliSS_MahaDurga]

I've been very depressed and suicidal lately, and it hasn't helped that my apartment is a mess. A week ago it struck me that I could try something which I've tried in the past: do something every day that I don't want to do, such as cleaning, and scribble it down so I can see what I've accomplished and push myself to do more.

Now, it's always difficult to get started, especially if one's depressed and lacks energy and motivation, but I've found a way around this problem. I'm bipolar and impulsive and I use this to my advantage by acting on impulse. If the thought that the hallway needs to be vacuumed strikes me I immediately start vacuuming it, so that there's no room for hesitation. The beauty of this is that when I clean I feel less anxiety, because I get absorbed by the work. It's simply a very effective distraction. When I see my clean(er) apartment and my list of accomplishments I also feel a little bit less depressed than before. I throw away stuff I don't really need or give it to charity as well, which makes my apartment look less messy. (The latter might be my subconscious telling me that it's time to go soon, but that's another story.) Since I have a large apartment and two pets there will always be work to do. I hope I'll be able to keep this up, knock on wood.

It's a strange thing to say, but I really recommend cleaning as self-therapy. The trick is to get started immediately when you think your home needs some cleaning.

Cleaning helped me a lot. It was actually enjoyable, but probably because I am moving, so I won't have to do it here anymore.

 

[DocNo]

I find it relieves some of the anxiety of existing (and the things needed to exist), in turn helping to ease my suicidal feelings. It's like the things of mine ctb rather than me needing to. Same with general cleaning, I guess it's essentially getting rid of some of yourself.

for me it also is this feeling especially when i made my digital cleanup that i now can start fresh without any ballast which holds me back. but i realize that this is also a mental thing and when i am more relaxed i don't have this strong feeling to clean up before is start something. i guess this cleaning up is for me also a way to have the feeling of control to know where everything is cause part of me seems to fear that i loose oversight if it is too "messy"/unsorted.

 

[mahakaliSS_MahaDurga]

for me it also is this feeling especially when i made my digital cleanup that i now can start fresh without any ballast which holds me back. but i realize that this is also a mental thing and when i am more relaxed i don't have this strong feeling to clean up before is start something. i guess this cleaning up is for me also a way to have the feeling of control to know where everything is cause part of me seems to fear that i loose oversight if it is too "messy"/unsorted.

Having a tight schedule also helps. I have things planned out for 5 days ahead.

 

[DocNo]

Having a tight schedule also helps. I have things planned out for 5 days ahead.

doesn't work for me. i am the master of postponing ^^

 

[mahakaliSS_MahaDurga]

doesn't work for me. i am the master of postponing ^^

lol, I feel you.

 

[Sherri]

Cleaning also is a therapeutic thing for me. I just stand up and start cleaning before I feel the need to go back to lazy mode again. Have a 3 bedroom flat, it's hard to clean it all by myself. Usually takes me 2 days. Been also selling some clothes on market place.

 

[LittleBabyNothing]

Cleaning is important to me. Having a clean, tidy environment helps me. Cleaning gives me control when i feel so out of control of myself.
When my functioning is low i will often have a to do list of... wash up, clean bathroom, sweep, shower... it helps focus and motivate me and if i only manage one thing in a day, my home clean will always be priority.

 

[Sensei]

I've kept this up for 31 days in a row now. It may be a small achievement, but I'm proud it. Hooray for me!

 

[Mentalmick]

(Spits out Pepsi Max) Cleaning? There will be 4 tasty looking geezers flying about on horses before that happens.

 

[Sensei]

(Spits out Pepsi Max) Cleaning? There will be 4 tasty looking geezers flying about on horses before that happens.

I would have said the same thing a couple of months ago. Yet, here I am, the King of Cleaning!

I forgot to mention that I've added doing a little bit of exercise every day. It seems I'm slowly turning into some kind of Mary Poppins, but I'm okay with that.

 

[Mentalmick]

I would have said the same thing a couple of months ago. Yet, here I am, the King of Cleaning!

I forgot to mention that I added doing a little bit of exercise every day. It seems I'm slowly turning into some kind of Mary Poppins, but I'm okay with that.

Joking aside, I don't actually mind doing a bit of cleaning. Hoovering and dusting mainly.

 

[DocNo]

Joking aside, I don't actually mind doing a bit of cleaning. Hoovering and dusting mainly.

i am pretty much the same. my strategy is more to try to make as little dirt as possible ^^

and it also helps to do the little things quickly afterwards. for example when i make fresh juice i immediately afterwards clean the juicer cause it's so much quicker and easier.

 

[Sensei]

41 days and counting. I've focused on lighter chores lately, which is a worrying trend, but I still do at least one chore a day, knock on wood. It makes me feel a little bit better, actually.

 

[articledon]

41 days and counting. I've focused on lighter chores lately, which is a worrying trend, but I still do at least one chore a day, knock on wood. It makes me feel a little bit better, actually.

Yes, I feel you. i've been tidying up which gives me a feeling of accomplishment but for some reason the song "Alive" by Pear Jam keeps popping in my head while doing such chores

 

[UseItOrLoseIt]

Cleaning is actually my go-to strategy for avoiding confrontations at work. When things get tense, or if I just want some alone time, I grab a broom and dissapear into another dimension. I become the broom. My boss once commented that it pays off to make me angry, cause work gets done when I'm angry.
At home, I'm much more lazy. I do clean, but rarely with such dedication.
Really, it seems like my greatest motivator is avoiding people

 

[stygal]

I can relate to everything that has already been said - whenever I'm in a bad mood or feel like something might come up - I grab some cleaning utensils and get to work. Such a great way to tune out and solely focus on the task at hand and really do something physically.
Plus after you're finished and you get to enjoy your tidy environment as a bonus.

 

[Sensei]

55 days and counting. That's more than one seventh of a year! Good job, Sensei!

 

[LittleBabyNothing]

55 days and counting. That's more than one seventh of a year! Good job, Sensei!

That's fantastic, Go Sensei!

 

[NeverGoodEnuff]

*Big Smile* I love this thread. Maybe I'll go do the dishes. I am procrastinating housework the past week because my little dog seems depressed. Today, we started agility training. He loves it! And is doing pretty good, so far. Of course, I may have to go buy more treats...right after I do the dishes, lol!

 

[Darrenloses]

I've also started cleaning more...before I'd leave the house like a dump, the worst is when you get an unexpected guest and let them in. I'm making life style changes and starting anew. Every day I'm doing Wim Hof Method incl. cold showers, breathing techniques and meditating. I go for a daily walk outside while listening to chilled out music.

I also have what is called smartphone addiction - it's not spoken about enough, I can't stop being glued to my phone scrolling through news feeds or clicking on random apps, having to keep everything updated and notifications gone. To combat this I uninstalled some nonessential apps and put my phone in a separate room if I'm watching TV or making dinner. Still get withdrawals and regress a little but I'm on the right track.

 

[Sensei]

Admittedly, I've done very light chores several days, but I've forced myself to do at least one chore a day for 87 days in a row now. That's one fourth of a year. Yay!

 

[LittleBabyNothing]

Admittedly, I've done very light chores several days, but I've forced myself to do at least one chore a day for 87 days in a row now. That's one fourth of a year. Yay!

Well done, looks like you've developed a good routine. Long may it last