A clean distraction!

@SomeCowgirl (32191)
United States
August 24, 2010 5:09pm CST
I've put a schedule up for myself of when I am going to clean, well I did the scheduele yesterday but didn't do the things I said I was going to do for yesterday night. I've always been lazy like that! Last night's was just dust and vaccumn. I did dust this morning, but didn't vacuum. Of course I also made the bed (which was one of the things I put for myself to do everyday, usually the sheets just get rumpled etc). I've been having anxiety problems for a few days now, and I am not sure why. I can distract myself for a few minutes, but then I start getting the fears again. However, when I was cleaning I felt better, so maybe I should just make it a habit to stick to the schedule of cleaning, and clean more if need be (and if the mood strikes me) and I also need to work on cleaning when the mood strikes me, right at that moment! I have a habit of putting things off to the last minute too, and I don't think that helps me at all. Today I had a dream that I was being yelled at for not cleaning, and in the dream it really made me feel lousy. That made me realize that I am a bit too lazy, so from now on I am going to priortize, and make sure I get things done in an orderly fashion. Anyone else "spring cleaning" their minds?
8 responses
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
25 Aug 10
I read the book Sidetracked Home Executives and started the card file she suggests in the book. I have cards for housework, whether it's daily like washing the dishes and making the bed, or weekly such as dusting and vaccuuming. I also have daily cards for the websites I want to complete each day. Now, on that note, I've been bypassing the housework cards a LOT lately. I have trouble with anxiety looking around at the mess :( But, I can easily remedy that by sticking to the cards! Marsha
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
25 Aug 10
I couldn't afford to buy a file box and am using just a box...but there are tabbed cards for each day of the month. Then there are tabbed cards for each month. Then there are alphabet cards. Alphabet is used to keep track of addresses. The monthly is for birthday and appointments that are made ahead. The days are for each day. As you do each card each day, you move it back to the next day if it's daily, to that date for the next week if it's weekly etc. I hope that makes sense. I built a book review lens about it on squidoo and have a photo of my box. In the back of the box is where I keep my greeting cards, post cards, stamps, address labels, envelopes etc.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
25 Aug 10
Cards? As in a file full of index cards that list what needs to be done, and you just pull out at random and do then put the cards back? Something like that? I am not quite sure what you mean but if I am thinking about it the way you mean, I think it's a great idea. Kind of like a library book you have to return, you read it as soon as you can so you can return it and not have to pay fees.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
25 Aug 10
Oh I believe you've written about this before or perhaps I've seen the lens, I'll have to check the picture out if you have the lens on your profile. Hmm, only about 45 more minutes until I go to clean (I've promised myself to start cleaning by midnight each night).
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
25 Aug 10
well hopefully the anxiety goes away for you, take care.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
26 Aug 10
Thanks elmiko it did. It just took a few days of relaxation and a good day of spending time with Hubby and our friends.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
30 Aug 10
Great news that you've gotten over the anxiety attack!
@jugsjugs (12967)
25 Aug 10
I use to leave myself a list of the things that i wanted to get done during the week,so what i done was i put three things down that were things that would not take long todo and then try to do at least two of them.However getting side tracked with other things are really easy.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
25 Aug 10
I always try to do the things that won't take long to do first as it helps me work up to the things that take longer. Sometimes this backfires and I end up not doing the things that take longer until the last minute, adding unnecessary stress to myself.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
30 Aug 10
I have a list too, and I use to write them down too. Not anymore, I just make a mental list now. The written list just adds to the sense of failure if I find myself being lazy, or goofing offl; which also adds to the anxiety. I have tons to clean, specially in the garage, but I am not in the mood for cleaning yet. Maybe next spring...
• United States
25 Aug 10
I know how you feel about having anxiety. I have not been doing all that well either. I am kind of feeling depressed and sad. I wish I knew why I am feeling this way. I am not upset with my husband. I have been trying to keep busy, but when I start something I cannot seem to get it done. I seem to sleep most of the day and then at night I cannot sleep at all. I wish we both lived closer to each other so we could help each other out.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
25 Aug 10
I wish I knew why I was feeling this way as well, it's kind of affected my sanity to be completely honest. I usually have to take a few minutes to make myself realize I am just being silly. I have found being on here and listening to music I enjoy or that relaxes me has helped. Maybe it will help for you. I think my problem is kind of a money problem, we have enough but I wish we had more, and it causes me to distract myself from what I could be doing, earning money, and then it's like one big circle.
@itachi12 (69)
• United States
24 Aug 10
i say clear your mind with a hot shower and buy some cool sope to, when your done eat a granola bare to give you energy and peace of mind then do what needs to be done or wash your face when you don't have time to take a shower this should help also from the anxiety problems use hot or cold your chose fir your face and see if this works for you and if you need to do things on time try making a set time to stuff you have planed for the day but don't make a list because when i make a list it seems to long and i end up not doing it just remember from your mind or record it hops this helps
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
24 Aug 10
I have thought of washing my face as it seems to help, it's like cleaning the mind, lol. I am a bit opposite from you, I can't make a time guideline atleast on some things because sometimes the times I want to do things such as mylot, the computer is taken and well that annoys me, but I get over it. I came up with a solution with my list, which is to list everything by day, and my husband has suggested that he and I both do the things we need to do at that moment without putting it off as it helps, and it does! I appreciate your suggestions!
• United States
25 Aug 10
well your welcome
@Memnon (2170)
25 Aug 10
My life is pretty orderly. I have just stopped here while having a coffee. It's raining here in the UK, but I am outdoors laying some patio slabs as I said I would. As for dreams. Someone once told me that the type of dreams that I get only have one result. If I die in them I will not wake up. That would sure pay for the house and keep my lady better than she is doing right now.
@Memnon (2170)
25 Aug 10
My life is pretty orderly. I have just stoppedhere while having a coffee. It's raining here in the UK, but I am oudoors laying some patio slabs as I said I would. As for dreams. Someone once told me that the type of dreams that I get only have one result. If I die in them I will not wake up. That would sure pay for the house and keep my lady better than she is doing right now.