I've lost my cleaning mojo

Stop feeling guilty Violetsky, you’ve been ill and recovery takes a lot longer than people think; we’ve lost the art of convalescence. By the sound of it you’re doing very well. My way of coping is to tackle the bits that worry me most in short bursts, anything from 10 to 30 minutes depending on energy levels. Concentrate on looking after yourself, healthy eating, enjoyable exercise and good quality sleep. Make time for the things you enjoy, the dust will still be there when you get round to it.

When you feel up to it, invite someone to stay. That's an incentive if ever there was one! I am exhausted at the moment because my sister and two of my sons will be staying for the next few days and I've had to clear space for them all to sleep and wanted the house decent as I haven't seen my sister since before the pandemic. But I was "behind" with the housework, so that gave me the kick up the backside to get on with it and it's a great feeling to have done it all.

Failing that, I agree with the points that have been made so far:
* Lower the bar/your expectations
* Divide the jobs into manageable chunks
* Keep a list and reward yourself for everything you can cross off it
* If you can't find the energy to clean something, hide it behind a vase of flowers or cover it with a tablecloth/doily/bright scarf.
* Get help, if only to clean the windows
* Simplify everything. E.g. if you have lots of things on the mantelpiece, put half of them away in a cupboard and swap them out occasionally.
* Clear away anything that annoys you when you see it.

I can't help with any mental issues which may be behind it, but I wish you well and hope that perhaps the coming of spring, longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures might lift your spirits.

nadateturbe

Germanshepherdsmum

You used to dust every day? I feel faint … 😱

Including skirting boards. Madness.

So did my mother even though she worked part-time. And my aunties.
It was a while before realised not everyone did and I didn't have to do the same. 🙂

I think I've gotten into a good routine for the daily tasks. I do washing, shopping, ironing and stuff like that certain days. Maybe adding a rota will help for other things too, I will give it a try thank you

Germanshepherdsmum

You used to dust every day? I feel faint … 😱

Including skirting boards. Madness.

If you are working g full time, recovering still from illness why not treat yourself to a weekly cleaner who could do the heavy work, hoovering g, changing bedding, blitzing the bathroom and washing kitchen floor. It would ease the load and protect your MH and the stress of not being able to do these tasks yourself.

I don't think I've ever dusted..

You used to dust every day? I feel faint … 😱

It's half-term!!

Enjoy.

I'm with minimoon. As long as the bathroom and kitchen are clean that's the most important thing.
Can't believe I used to dust every day!
Less energy now, needs to be used wisely, and leave some for enjoyment.
I think too after doing it for years, housework becomes a bit boring.

Susie42

I never had one to start with.

Or me..🫣

I think you should set up a rota system and pin it up.

Children need to learn that things don't get cleaned by magic, food doesn't appear from nowhere and the kitchen doesn't get cleared up by the kitchen elves.
And don't feel guilty if it's not as perfect as when you felt like doing it. That's a waste of energy too.
Pocket money is a good incentive.

I've lost mine too and am trying to find it but it's home, not a show house.

I use the 'salami' technique.

Write down the most pressing jobs (the ones that bother you most) and in rotation do a little 'slice' of them each day - or every other day.

It's slow, but eventually, the jobs do get done. And you feel better because they have been.

I understand that lack of energy. I'm on medication (strong opiates) that, together with the pain, knock the stuffing out of me.

It's now evening and I've got to find the energy to go and make the bed - which is King size. I've been allowing it to 'air'... all day! My partner's disabled so can't do much, but he is going to cook dinner as he can toddle around the kitchen with his zimmer.

Things will get better - this too shall pass

If your cleaning mojo has disappeared find something else to do that does have get your mojo going! Whatever it is, walking, gardening, reading. A little cleaning fitted in every now and then, but use the majority of your time for nicer "tasks".

Good advice, lots to think about

Janejudge maybe

I think I feel frightened to get too happy or comfortable now, I feel it will be taken away

As long as my house is fairly dust free and the kitchen and bathroom are clean then I am content. I never was one for doing a lot of housework. My late mother in law despaired!

I don`t think I have ever had a cleaning mojo, it just gets done when I notice that it needs doing. I do leave the kitchen as tidy as possible every night, including a shiny sink area.

I bought a new vac cleaner with a uv light, so I actually get to see invisible dirt on my floors. It is actually fun to use, not a chore

I try and keep on top of things generally but if working on eg sewing, then all around gets messy, while I concentrate on the project. Then I do a major clean around afterwards

Housework is a necessary evil, I have better things I would rather do with my time but I do have enough pride to keep a clean home, even if it is not alway tidy. It is nothing to do with my mojo

I think you should have a holiday on your holiday from work so that means not spending all the holiday catching up with housework. However it might be wise to keep up with the essentials so things don't get too out of hand and overwhelming, so wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces and keep up to date with the washing up and a small amount of essential laundry. Spend the rest of your time doing something nice just for you and look after yourself and get plenty of rest too. Hopefully your usual mojo mght then come back. This type of slow down for a while has worked for me in the past. Sometimes we just need a rest. Good luck.

maybe you have become less bothered about cleaning because you are feeling better>?

I agree with those who suggest a little at a time. More importantly, however - treat yourself a little at a time. Reward your self for 20 minutes tidying with coffee and cake: buy a bunch of spring flowers and put them where you can see them: give the bathroom a mopping, then have a bath with bubbles . I think you can see where I am going with this. Be kind to yourself and then to your house, not the other way round !

Could you set yourself small amounts of time each day like 15 mins and in that time listen to a Radio programme of your choice or something from You Tube? Just do the job slowly in a zen like way and tick it off your list. I have suffered with terrible depression and I must confess it did make me feel better. I could not have done more though .

Susie42

I never had one to start with.

Me neither!

I used to take great pleasure in keeping my home nice, despite working long hours. Then depression hit and the pleasure went - housework was simply something that had to be done, no pleasure at all, just a necessary evil if we weren’t to live in a tip. And I’m lucky that my husband takes on certain tasks; I know many don’t. Although I now loathe housework, I loathe an untidy and unclean home even more, so I set myself small, manageable tasks each day. It works, and gives a sense of achievement. As they say, cut the elephant into small pieces.

Susie42

I never had one to start with.

Nor me!

BlueBelle

I ve never had one 😂 do what’s necessary nothing more

Well yes, me neither. When I was working, I always had cleaning help, and ironing. And the last few years, during and after me knee replacements, I had help again. None for the last couple of months, and I do the essential, and 1 hour here and there of a specific area. Much rather be out in garden!