DH and I somewhat recently abandoned our FIRE plan in order for me to take a break from work and be home to better support DD (10 yr-old). My promise to him was to take care of all house-related tasks and cook all meals, which we used to split 70/30 when we were both working (he has always done more in this area since I manage all-things-financial as well as all-things-emotional/educational/developmental with DD).
Needless to say, I haven’t held up my end of the bargain. DH is a little on the grumpy side and I totally deserve it. I have spent the last six months mainly focusing on my health (losing weight – which turned out to be really fucking hard!) and hanging with DD. I need to tackle our home office in order to get back in his good graces. The room is entirely out of control and I’m having some sort of psychological block to cleaning it. It will take me days.
I've decided that I need to get this room organized by next Wednesday (last day of school before holiday break). We will be entirely booked up this weekend so that only leaves four days.
Looking for motivational face punches.
Things I've learned from @mustachepungoeshere (she's a godsend):
- put things away - clothes in cupboards, paper filed away or in recycling
- nothing belongs on the floor. If something is there, get rid of it.
- just simply make a start. If you have unused bags lying around that room, fill them with rubbish and taken it all out - kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
@marty998, you’re the smartest person I know, and from me you learnt not to leave things on the floor? Not sure how I feel about that. :D
@PNW Lady, I would go scorched earth, toss as much as you can.
If you haven’t used it in months and it can be replaced for less than $20, throw it. Don’t hang on to things “just in case”. (The exception here is seasonal clothing, etc.)
Group like with like. Clothes go with clothes, linen with linen, electronics with electronics.
Be realistic about the likelihood of selling items on eBay or Craigslist. If you are promising to list them to assauge guilt about the sunk cost, but those items will still be hanging around in six months, just donate them now.
But the big thing is, once you’ve overhauled this room, you don’t get to rest on your laurels. It’s all about maintenance. You both have to commit to putting things away, stemming the influx of stuff, and making hard decisions to get rid of things that come into your home that you don’t want or need. Unwanted gift? Donate it straight away. Your home is no longer a temporary staging facility for an op shop.
And in two months’ time, go through everything you have put away from the junk room, anything that has been stashed in drawers and cupboards, and reassess. Still need it? Still want it? You will probably find your attachment to certain items diminishes once the ‘trauma’ of the big clean-up has past.
Also, if you’re still struggling for motivation, come up with a plan for the room. Paint, rearrange furniture, you’ve always wanted to do with it but have not been able to because of the junk.
Good luck!