Where to Start Cleaning When Your Home's a Wreck

[@officialkatieberry]

Are you surprised by the order, or have you been doing it this way all along?

[@officialkatieberry]

@Wild Fire I am so very sorry you’re going through all of that. It’s awful they’re not cutting you any slack. A disability certainly seems like it should be met with some kindness, doesn’t it? First off, big props for dealing with that carpet situation! I’ve got severe arthritis and know what you mean about paying for it for days. Routines are different when you deal with disabilities. Instead of saying “I clean bedrooms on Mondays” you’ve got to stay more flexible. Check in with your body each morning about how you’re feeling that exact day. Have a running list of tasks and work through them by matching that day’s energy levels to the energy a task requires. On low-energy days, focus on doing the dishes, wiping counters, and taking out the trash to keep pests away. If you’ve still got energy, make the beds, tidy tabletops, and vacuum high-traffic areas. On days you feel up to it, add on one or two more things: laundry, or changing sheets and towels, or a more thorough vacuuming wall-to-wall. On very high-energy days, clean entire rooms. Only YOU know how much or little you can handle. So even if no one else cuts you slack, you need to. Don’t try to have a spotless home-those are no fun to live in, anyway. I hope this new year brings you health and help! ❤️ Katie

[@officialkatieberry]

@Wild Fire I’m glad it helped! ❤️

[@officialkatieberry]

@Wild Fire Hey you’re welcome! Be sure to check next week, because I’m going to talk a little more about keeping house while dealing with chronic illness. Hope to see you then!

[@cindywinkles4026]

At this point, I feel so "stalled" I can't even think for myself where to begin. Tears. THANK YOU for your help.

[@officialkatieberry]

@@cindywinkles4026 I’m so sorry you’re struggling right now. It’s an awful feeling, I know. Hang in there.

[@jmstripling]

I love the idea of cleaning my happy spot first. Because it's "my" area only, I usually leave it for last. I can definitely see how having a tidy refuge to look forward to hiding in at the end of the day would help motivate me to conquer other parts of the house. Thanks for great tip!

[@officialkatieberry]

It’s a big change. With the stuff left for the end, it’s the key to seeing actual results.

[@tanyasimmons5870]

Thank you for the great tips. Love the idea of happy place first. I have always made sure the kitchen and my bedroom is tidy first. As I can't stand a messy kitchen. Plus I love my bedroom to be nice and tidy.

[@officialkatieberry]

I love a tidy bedroom too!

[@cindysparks313]

I’m so happy to be able to watch you on KZbin! I’ve enjoyed your blog and I have your book. Thank you for your help!

[@officialkatieberry]

Thank you so much for that! I am so glad to hear people enjoy the KZbin channel - it's still very scary for me being on camera, but hearing that it's helpful means the world to me. :)

[@marciefort2904]

My public happy space is nice and tidy! But I really need to work on my private happy space… The bedroom! Hoping and praying your new series helps me conquer my procrastination! Thanks for all your hard work Katie 💜

[@officialkatieberry]

That’s the thing, Marcie, the “happy place” isn’t a public spot. If your bedroom is where you are most at peace, then start there. Because you’re the one doing the work, so you need to see and feel immediate benefits to keep going. Did you see the blog post I wrote about organizing a bedroom? housewifehowtos.com/get-organized/how-to-organize-your-bedroom/

[@marciefort2904]

@@officialkatieberry I will go back and reread! I’m sure it has some great ideas. I have A LOT of work ahead of me decluttering first before I can start organizing. At least my bed and nightstand are the way I want them….soft and cozy 💜

[@lettiobrien3705]

This is great information. I especially love that you mentioned mental health and that it's okay for your home to take a backseat. I felt so guilty about that for the longest time. Thanks for doing what you do! 🙂

[@officialkatieberry]

I’m so glad you found it helpful! Please never feel guilty for taking care of yourself. No one else can be you, so being the best you benefits us all. ❤️

[@tiffanie.sparrow]

New follower. I'm struggling with my 13 yo daughter and her bedroom. I'm loosing my own control over my frustrations with her "excuses". In MY mind, the clean up is easy. .. 1. Get rid of the trash. She has wrappers and packages galore, tags, used band aids, broken items , papers everywhere. 2. Return the 8+ towels back into the bathroom. 3. Just pick up the dirty laundry and get it INSIDE the laundry basket. This not at all addressing the clutter on top of desk and dressor, or blankets not on bed, stuffed animals all over or even the dishes that were snuck in from the kitchen. She gets older and it's getting worse! Help me know how to help her... this is effecting our relationship.

[@cindywinkles4026]

THANK YOU.

[@officialkatieberry]

You're so welcome!

[@cyntback]

You are so stinkin' cute! I can't explain it, but in only just finding you and watching minutes; Im in tears and emotional in a place in my heart that has not been comforted in years. Yikes I sound creepy! But seriously, you're about to change my whole life. I just know it. Soul hugs from a girl who's not going to give up today!