Cognitive block?

[Stacieamy]

I am having a lot of trouble with something that should be straightforward and obvious. Well, it’s two related things.
First, I keep building clutter. On good days, I can put things back where they belong, but there are too many times that I’m either too worn out or I forget.
The bigger problem is that I struggle with cleaning up clutter. I can look at individual items and know where they go; but if there are more than like 4 items, my mind locks up. And trying to fool myself doesn’t help. Trying to pretend that I’m not trying to clean all of it doesn’t work. I know better.
I don’t understand what this is, what’s actually going on, or how to change it.

 

[Kubash16]

Sometimes when I’m feeling overwhelmed with everything I have to get done, I’ll make lists. The more overwhelmed I feel, the more detailed the list of each step sometimes. It helps a lot to check off things cause it gives a tiny bit of instant gratification. It can apply to clutter too, just list out each item you want to move/toss and then check them off as you go and hopefully that will motivate you into going beyond the list.

 

[grit]

Thank you for posting this. I know exactly what you are saying. I have three closets full of clothes and shoes and stuff I no longer wear just thinking about it is making dissociate.

 

[Stacieamy]

I think it has to do with making decisions. I get easily overwhelmed by having to make too many decisions.

 

[TTC18]

I think it has to do with making decisions. I get easily overwhelmed by having to make too many decisions.

Me too. Or, you know, any decisions. ?

 

[RussellSue]

I'll be honest: I used to have this problem very badly, but I do not anymore. There were rooms in my house that I just gave up on, shut the door, and pretended didn't exist. They were wrecked beyond the point of reasonable clean up: piles of clothes up to my thighs, everywhere I turned, bags of random crap from other rooms that I couldn't organize, etc., etc..

When I was at my worst with this, I actually had the advantage of having a babysitter. My deceased husband would stand over me and tell me what to do first to clean up a mess. I could not figure it out on my own - no joke. He did that for a long time and eventually I started doing it on my own.

If you don't have a nearby helper, I can maybe offer only this: the higher the level of stress, the worse the problem got for me. So, maybe take a bath and go back to trying to clean after that. Maybe some Mozart? Maybe only try to clean up first thing in the morning?

You might also write each item down that you need to put away and then write where it goes once you figure it out. Then you can take your paper with you when you relocate the item, so you don't forget where it goes. I'm not making fun. For me, anything in text was an easier starting point than out there in the limitlessness of space. I had to label all of my shelves. I did not know where my plates went.

Good luck!

 

[Stacieamy]

That’s actually a really good idea. I have thought about labeling a lot of things.

 

[Teasel]

Whenever I'm overwhelmed by there being lots to do in a room or area or table or what jot, I start in the corner nearest to me and work my way round. It really helps me not get stuck :)

 

[crackinthequandary]

Now, I have been thinking on this too. I see this with so many people, and I have been thinking it's a symptom that isn't always discussed. It's a cousin to hoarding or something. Also, you can live with someone that clutters, and it can effect your relationship? To me; I feel like I have less control of my life when the house becomes cluttered. It's almost symbolic of what's happening on the inside. The neater, the more control, and it can make me feel depressed.