Why It’s Hard to Stay Motivated
Cleaning and organizing can feel like a chore for many messy people. Here are some common reasons why it’s hard to stay motivated:
You Get Overwhelmed Easily
When you look around at the mess, it can feel so daunting that you don’t know where to start. Having clutter all around makes the task seem insurmountable. It’s easy to get paralyzed by the scale of the job.
Cleaning Is Not Fun
Unlike hobbies like cooking or reading, cleaning rarely feels fun or rewarding. Scrubbing floors and organizing piles of stuff often feels like a boring slog. It’s not something you look forward to doing.
You Lack Systems
Without proper organizational systems and routines in place, cleaning feels disorganized and inefficient. You waste time figuring out what to do next or where things belong. With no structure, it’s an uphill battle.
Distractions Are Everywhere
When you’re surrounded by clutter, it’s easy to get sidetracked. There’s always something else competing for your attention – your phone, the TV, things you uncover. Constantly getting distracted makes it hard to stay focused.
It’s Not a Priority
Let’s be honest – for most messy people, cleaning is low on the priority list. It usually takes a backseat to more pressing tasks. Even if you have time, you’d often rather relax than clean.
Tips to Find Motivation
Here are some useful tips to get motivated and stay on track when cleaning as a messy person:
H3. Start Small
Don’t attempt to declutter your entire home in one go. This will only overwhelm you. Instead, tackle one small area at a time, like a drawer, shelf or corner. Small victories will give you a sense of accomplishment.
H3. Make It Fun
Play upbeat music to energize yourself while cleaning. Call a friend over to chat while you tidy up together. Reward yourself after completing a task. Having fun makes it feel less like dreary work.
H3. Get Organized
Invest in storage containers, shelves, baskets and other organizational tools. Having a designated spot for everything will make cleaning faster and more efficient. A clutter-free space is easier to maintain.
H3. Remove Distractions
Put your phone away, turn off the TV and close computer tabs. Dedicate your full focus to the task at hand to avoid getting sidetracked. If kids or pets are underfoot, put them in another room.
H3. Schedule It
Treat cleaning sessions like important appointments in your calendar to make it a priority. Even 30 minutes per day makes a difference. Creating a routine also reinforces it as a habit.
H3. Set Goals
Define what success looks like – a decluttered bedroom, sparkling bathroom, paperwork filed away. Visualizing the end result is motivating. Break it down into specific, manageable goals.
H3. Declutter First
Don’t start cleaning until you’ve decluttered. It’s faster to organize and tidy when surfaces are clear. Put clutter into trash, recycling and donation bins so you’re only left with what you need.
H3. Tackle Trouble Spots
Pay attention to the areas that bother you most – piles of laundry, overflowing cabinets, dusty ceiling fans. Tackling annoying chores first improves your space the fastest.
H3. Work in Bursts
Use a timer to challenge yourself to clean intensely for short bursts – even 10 minutes makes progress. Stopping gives you a sense of completion. It feels more manageable than working indefinitely.
Staying Motivated Long-Term
Maintaining motivation after the initial cleaning spree takes some work. Here are some strategies:
H3. Designate Specific Zones
Don’t just tidy up randomly. Decide what each area is for – entry for bags/keys, kitchen for appliances, bedroom for clothes. Known homes for objects makes cleaning faster.
H3. Always Put Things Back
Put items back where they belong as soon as you’re done using them. Don’t just set them down. Returning items to their designated spots keeps areas tidy.
H3. Do a Quick Daily Tidy
Spend 10 minutes per day straightening up, wiping surfaces and putting stuff away. Small daily tidy ups prevents bigger messes so cleaning days are less daunting.
H3. Tackle Maintenance Zones Weekly
Don’t let problem zones like dusty shelves, dirty floors or laundry piles get out of control. Set a day for tackling maintenance cleaning to prevent bigger messes.
H3. Purge Regularly
Clutter easily accumulates again. Go through your home monthly and get rid of what you don’t need. Regular purging keeps your space decluttered.
H3. Remember the Benefits
Post reminders of why you want a clean home – relaxation, productivity, health. Focusing on the reasons why gives you motivation to maintain tidy spaces.
H3. Reward Yourself
After intensive cleaning sessions or milestones, reward yourself – order dinner in, schedule a massage. Positive reinforcement motivates you to keep going.
Enlisting Help from Others
You don’t have to tackle cleaning solo. Getting support makes it feel less overwhelming.
H3. Ask for Help
Request help from housemates, kids or your partner with specific tasks. Even folding laundry together is more motivating. Share the workload.
H3. Hire a Cleaner
If you can afford it, hire a cleaner to do heavy duty tasks like scrubbing bathrooms. You handle maintenance tidying in between professional deep cleans.
H3. Consult an Organizer
Hire a professional organizer to create customized systems based on your space and habits. Having tailored strategies helps make tidying stick.
H3. Invite Friends Over
Schedule cleaning sessions with friends to socialize while sprucing up your home together. Making it a group activity makes it more engaging.
Developing Cleaning Habits
The key to lasting change is turning tidying tasks into ingrained habits over time.
H3. Start a Routine
Block out time to clean each day or week, starting small if needed. Consistently doing tasks builds habits. Make cleaning the standard, not the exception.
H3. Link It to Existing Habits
Leverage habits you already do daily – make cleaning part of your before-bed routine. Tying it to habitual cues embeds it deeper.
H3. Use Visual Reminders
Post cleaning checklists, calendars and motivational quotes around your home. Visible reminders keep cleaning top of mind and make it a priority.
H3. Treat Yourself
Have a special candle or fancy coffee you light or drink when cleaning. Positive sensory associations help ingrain cleaning as an enjoyable ritual.
H3. Vary Your Tasks
Swap deep cleans, daily tidies, laundry and decluttering. A mix of cleaning activities keeps you from getting bored. Switching it up feels fresh.
H3. Be Patient
Habit change takes time – weeks or months. Stick with your new systems. Consistency and repetition will make tidying feel automatic over time.
Bottom Line
Creating cleaning habits requires perseverance, but gets easier once your new routines stick. Focus on the benefits, tackle small tasks, make it enjoyable, and enlist help when needed. With commitment and patience, you can gain motivation and maintain tidier spaces.
