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Post by freecharlie on Jul 7, 2016 15:44:06 GMT
Or something else.
We are moving in August. We have way too much crappie and we need to scale down (which is ironic because new house is bigger).
I've only got one more month before I go back to work and I can't seem to get motivated.
How did you get motivated to clean, purge, and pack?
I am going to try 15 min cha6, but I am starting get with cleaning the kitchen
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 7, 2016 16:06:25 GMT
Unloaded dishwasher, reloaded and it is runny. Surface cleaned the counters.
Now to handwash some dishes and then wash down the counters
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Jul 7, 2016 16:07:50 GMT
Put on upbeat music, set the timer and when the time goes off, give yourself a 5 minute trea- cup of coffee, check e-mail, etc. Set a timer for "treat" time also
Only look at an item once!! It either goes into the pack, donate/garage sale or trash pile. No saying "I'll decide later"
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jul 7, 2016 16:12:29 GMT
basketdiva is correct. You have to break it into chunks or it is overwhelming and paralyzing. I put on music and do it in chunks. You must set a timer, that keeps you on track. You can do anything for 15 minutes.
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MorningPerson
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Post by MorningPerson on Jul 7, 2016 16:15:58 GMT
If you're like me, usually I just need a nudge to get off my ass and then once things are started I can do what I need to do. I know the word "hack" isn't seen fondly here, but it's the best way I can describe some of the tricks I use to get myself going. One is to take a full hour with no computer or tv allowed. Having to fill that whole hour without letting my tendency to get distracted get in the way helps me to accomplish things that I normally wouldn't. After my hour is up I'll take a short Facebook or 2Peas break and then do another hour. Some days I like to challenge myself with how many of those screen-free hours I can get in. There is always a direct correlation with the number of hours and how much I accomplish that day. Duh.  Another thing I do is tell myself the old "if it takes less than a minute to do, do it now." It's funny how overwhelming tasks are usually a series of lots of things that only take a minute. I have other hacks, but hopefully you can try one of those and see what happens! |
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christinec68
Drama Llama
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Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Jul 7, 2016 16:26:01 GMT
When I have a long list of things to do around the house, I make a list of things to get done but I break it down into individual steps. Most steps won't take too much time and then I get to cross it off my list which is very satisfying! Then I sort of build momentum and keep going until I just can't anymore. This is for cleaning, organizing and decluttering.
For packing & purging, I'd probably start with the easier stuff to pare down and things I know I won't need for the next month. Maybe set a goal of pack 5 boxes then take a break. But I know that once I get started, I'll probably go longer and get more done.
Good luck!
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msliz
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The Procrastinator
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Jul 7, 2016 16:30:59 GMT
I'm in. I don't want to be. What I want is a nap. But I can clean for an hour. I'll check back in with you in 15 min. Go.
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oh yvonne
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Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Jul 7, 2016 16:33:36 GMT
I hate that feeling! My trick for getting me moving is to take a couple of Vitamin D supplements. I don't know what it is about them, but dang they give me energy without getting jittery like drinking too much coffee. I always get a lot done once I take a couple.  |
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Post by Frazzled Mom on Jul 7, 2016 16:34:12 GMT
It's overwhelming, I know. I had to move my family out of our rental and the packing/purging job was so huge that I was paralyzed at first. Just break it down into smaller tasks. Once you have a few places under your belt, it will start to be easier. Have packing boxes, labeling supplies and tape ready as well as a donate/give away container. Pick a small area: one kitchen cabinet, the linen closet, the cupboards above the washer, etc. Commit to making decisions then and there. No putting things back, only touch each thing once. Realize you can live with a bare minimum of stuff for the next month and pack or donate the rest. (I also had a garage sale pile which is its own kind of chaos, but I made a lot of money on things that would have gone to Goodwill.) Good luck! Getting started is the hardest part - once you begin, you'll pick up a rhythm and it WILL get easier!  |
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georgiapea
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Post by georgiapea on Jul 7, 2016 16:36:16 GMT
I think about the mess I will have if I don't get it all packed. I basically packed whenever I wasn't eating or sleeping. It won't pack itself.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 7, 2016 16:40:14 GMT
I'm in. I don't want to be. What I want is a nap. But I can clean for an hour. I'll check back in with you in 15 min. Go. nice I handwashed dishes, cleaned the counters and stove. The kids picked up the cardboard in the garage |
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Post by wallyagain on Jul 7, 2016 16:42:00 GMT
We just went through this, we packed and purged and we still moved a ton. Now that we've been here a while, we are getting rid of more stuff. Like you, we moved into a bigger house. Good luck, it's so much work.
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Post by Merge on Jul 7, 2016 16:44:54 GMT
OK, it's 11:43 here and I'm committing to spending an hour cleaning out my office and boxing up all the things that need to be stored in the garage instead. There's a giant pile sitting behind my office door, and it's been there for over a year. Today's the day. It's going down.
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Post by joblackford on Jul 7, 2016 16:49:08 GMT
I found out about an app that uses the pomodoro technique - basically it schedules 20 or 25 minute blocks of hard work with timed breaks, with an extra-long break after a certain number of sessions. You can adjust the timing. The app is called BeFocused, although there are others with the same function. I can do the 15 minute tasks, but then my breaks stretch out too long... so having the breaks timed helps. Upbeat get-to-work music helps a lot too. I love being able to cross things off a list when they're done so I break everything into tiny little tasks.
(Based on my past experience with this kind of thing) you probably can't get motivated because it seems too far off, it's sucky work, or perhaps because you have some unresolved feelings about moving. Or a combination of reasons. Or maybe you resent how much work you're expected to do when others aren't pulling their weight? I don't know. But maybe if you figure out what's really bothering you it will be easier to get working.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Jul 7, 2016 16:50:02 GMT
Checking back in. 15 minutes goes fast. I'm ready for another. Keep going Peas !!!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jul 7, 2016 16:52:30 GMT
I need to do this, too-- we're planning on moving over Labor Day weekend, and even though I should purge and de-clutter BEFORE packing to move, I hate, hate, hate doing it.
Last time we moved (7 years ago), I thought, "oh, I'll purge and de-clutter when I unpack the boxes..." Do you think I did that?? of course not!! So this time I really need to do it before packing.
ETA: my major issue when doing things like this is that I get sidetracked VERY easily... instead of doing the task at hand, I'll see something that should go somewhere else, take it to that room, find something else that needs doing, and next thing you know, somehow I've landed on Pinterest... lol!!
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Shel
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Jul 16, 2014 0:32:12 GMT
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Post by Shel on Jul 7, 2016 16:56:11 GMT
We moved into a rental recently while our house is being built and had to put a ton of stuff in storage. I would have a big garbage bag out and a big box to donate. I started with rooms/areas I knew we wouldn't be using. So formal dining and living rooms. I find purging very therapeutic and while it's hard to start once I got going it was fine. I would set small attainable goals and then take a break if you want. It's also helpful to have all your stuff in one spot (boxes, sharpies, packing paper, tape gun, etc). Good luck! I'm planning to purge a lot more of our stuff that's in storage when we move in!!
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msliz
Drama Llama
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Jul 7, 2016 17:11:14 GMT
Step away from the Pinterest.
I got my dishwasher loaded and running, so now I'm going to drink some water and try to get my recycling in order to drop off tomorrow. Back to work!
3 2 1 Go!
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Post by destined2bmom on Jul 7, 2016 17:15:31 GMT
I am in the midst of packing to move across country in a week. The ladies have given you great advice. I started in the kitchen packing things I knew I wasn't going to use, then miscellaneous items I didn't need, the coat closet, kids miscellaneous items they didn't need. I also got rid of anything we no longer needed. I turned up the music and did a couple of hours a day.
You are on the right track starting now. You don't know what could happen between now and then and want extra days built in. My mom passed away on June 28th and we are having her visitation today and funeral tomorrow. There were also several days at the hospital.
I started in April and now I just have to finish to pack the rest of the closets of clothes, 2 bathrooms and what is left in the kitchen items that we don't need until we get across country.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 7, 2016 17:17:29 GMT
I am in the midst of packing to move across country in a week. The ladies have given you great advice. I started in the kitchen packing things I knew I wasn't going to use, then miscellaneous items I didn't need, the coat closet, kids miscellaneous items they didn't need. I also got rid of anything we no longer needed. I turned up the music and did a couple of hours a day. You are on the right track starting now. You don't know what could happen between now and then and want extra days built in. My mom passed away on June 28th and we are having her visitation today and funeral tomorrow. There were also several days at the hospital. I started in April and now I just have to finish to pack the rest of the closets of clothes, 2 bathrooms and what is left in the kitchen items that we don't need until we get across country. u am sorry for your loss. |
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 7, 2016 17:18:15 GMT
I took a break and it took too long. I need to get back into it.
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Post by destined2bmom on Jul 7, 2016 17:20:51 GMT
Thank you!
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msliz
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Jul 7, 2016 17:31:52 GMT
Destined2bmom, I'm so sorry. Please don't push yourself too hard. Hugs.
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msliz
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Jul 7, 2016 17:54:15 GMT
Well, I'm done here for a little while. I'm going to do some paperwork and then start a scanning project. DH and youngest DD are in NYC for a couple of days, so I can work uninterrupted for the most part. Good luck to all of you with your chores and projects!
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 7, 2016 18:50:53 GMT
I made the kids lunch and cleaned under the fridge.
Thinking about heading downstairs to pack up my scrapbooks and photo albums. Won't be needing get them in the near future, but they are going with us.
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Post by hockeymom4 on Jul 7, 2016 20:40:53 GMT
We are in the middle of a move, everything is unloaded and unpacked. It "just" needs to all find a home!!!' DD is currently working on her bathroom..... I was helping but that didn't end well..... Must put the phone down and get working in the kitchen. Good luck to you
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Post by Merge on Jul 7, 2016 20:50:11 GMT
I did it! It took three hours instead of one because I kept stopping to look through old photographs, but my office is much neater. If it makes you feel any better, freecharlie, this was the last of my unpacking from our move ... over a year ago. We moved last year in May. Four weeks from the time we sold our house until we closed on the new one, four weeks to pack everything, all during the last month of school. It's not an experience I'd want to repeat, but that kind of timeline does light a fire under your butt! |
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 7, 2016 21:49:31 GMT
Can you start by packing the kitchen with things you know you won't be using until after the move? It is easier to clean when you don't have as much stuff around. Once school hits, time will be precious and you might just end up packing it all. I'd start with a room or two a week.
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 3:46:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2016 23:19:42 GMT
Call a friend to help you.
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Post by mlynn on Jul 8, 2016 7:27:46 GMT
Flylady recommends attacking big or overwhelming projects with a timer. You set the timer for 15 minutes and start working. When the timer goes off, you stop it and set it for 15 minutes for a break. Lather, rinse, repeat. It is important to do the break part. One of the reasons we avoid the projects is that they take us over. By alternating, you don't just keep going and going and burn out.
One other method is to take a bag and find twenty things to throw away. Then you take a box and find twenty things to give away. Then you take a box and find twenty things to keep/pack for the move.
If I were in your shoes, I would start with the things lesser used. Or with the garage. If you pack up the garage, that will give you lots of storage for things as you pack. You can just pile up the boxes and they won't be in the way in the house.
Places you may want to start:
If you have multiple sets of dishes, pack up all but one.
kitchen tools and such that you have more than one of
batter bowls, mixing bowls, casseroles, skillets...
school year activity things.
pictures/paintings/etc on the walls and decorative items on the surfaces.
winter clothing and weather supplies (snow melt, shovels, etc)
hobby and craft supplies - for everyone
These items should be fairly painless and you won't have to go looking through them for something you need to use and packed away.
The last time I moved, I labelled every box with the following info:
General description of contents
the room in the new house that the box should go into.
Labelling what room was such a lifesaver. Things ended up where I needed them so I could find them. Plus it kept all my helpers from having to ask me where they should put things as they brought them in. Just make sure that you label them in a way people will understand. For instance, do not say "Suzie's Room". Put "yellow room on second floor".
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