I'm really messy :(

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-29-2008, 12:46 AM

Is anyone else just messy? Even better, anyone who used to be messy and then somehow cured themselves? If so, how?

I don't mean cluttered, dirty or disorganized. I don't have too much stuff, and I am good at organizing. Every has a place, just nothing is ever in it. I always wait until I'm "cleaning" before putting anything away. I'm one of those people who steps over things instead of picking them up, drops my clothes on the floor - usually 2 feet from the hamper, throws paper at the waste basket and misses - then leaves it there.

Just messy.

Is there some way to change my internal programming?

Oh, before anyone says it, I really don't like the flylady thing.

**rainbowgc** · 11-29-2008, 11:56 AM

Try Flylady. If she can't motivate you no one can LOL
www.flylady.com

**Wendy99** · 11-29-2008, 12:07 PM

LOL so u dont like flylady?? I'm not sure .. do you clean when you have guests? Maybe invite guests over a couple times a month??

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-29-2008, 12:38 PM

I find flylady too messy

I can't get through her website, too much clutter.

I usually clean everything once a week. I just have bad habits that I need to break when I'm not cleaning. Maybe I need a little mantra to chant while I'm dropping my clothes on the floor, to remind me to pick them up

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-29-2008, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Patty A

Try Messies Anonymous!
http://www.messies.com/

Okay, this looks promising. Similar to the fly, but much easier to navigate, and with little things that address my issues, not just clutter.

Step Two

Change habits one at a time. Let’s start with The 30-Second Rule. “If it takes thirty seconds or less to do a job, do it immediately.” This applies to putting up packages when you come in, putting the scissors (or whatever) back where you got them, hanging up the clothes you take off and other things like that.

The second powerful habit is this: when you get something out, put it back — and here’s the kicker — right away.
Remember STOW AS YOU GO!

Commitment to these two habits will change the condition of your house immediately.

This is my issue right here.

**madhen** · 11-29-2008, 12:50 PM

I am chronically disorganized, mostly because I have too much going on all the time. (I've only got about 40+ years left, and I'm going to do it ALL, dammit!)

It sounds silly, but I found watching "How Clean Is Your House" really motivated me! First, it made me realize that I'm not NEARLY as bad as some people out there! Second, the two women on the show are really big into natural and cheap cleaners. Third, they make it look kind of fun to clean. (And you want to try out what they recommend, because how often do you get an excuse to put toothpaste on your refrigerator door liner?) I find that watching half an hour of HCIYH gets me into a cleaning frame of mind, and then I go off until I burn out, after which I have about twenty-something more episodes saved on the DVR.

**stinkbug** · 11-29-2008, 01:32 PM

I agree completely with the *Step Two* instructions. This is the major cause of household messisness! Once you get into the habit of putting stuff away as you use it, it helps keep things from getting out of control. Just like cleaning up the kitchen as you are cooking...half the work is done before you even realize it and it all looks more managable then.

**ladykemma2** · 11-29-2008, 06:11 PM

fly lady no way.

i do messies anonymous.

sandra felton's book is a must read. I fit the category of the one - who thinks someone else will come and clean up. I also had to learn not to be a clutterer - i actualy used to think that things had feelings, or that the person who gave me the thing would get their feelings hurt.

now i ruthlessly get rid of stuff.

i just spent thankgiving with a #10 cleanie. scary. it was interesting. i came home with a much needed chest of drawers and some tupperware.

**Wendy99** · 11-29-2008, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

fly lady no way.

i do messies anonymous.

sandra felton's book is a must read. I fit the category of the one - who thinks someone else will come and clean up. I also had to learn not to be a clutterer - i actualy used to think that things had feelings, or that the person who gave me the thing would get their feelings hurt.

now i ruthlessly get rid of stuff.

i just spent thankgiving with a #10 cleanie. scary. it was interesting. i came home with a much needed chest of drawers and some tupperware.

what is a number 10 cleanie?

**ladykemma2** · 11-30-2008, 12:24 PM

in the book Messies Anonymous by sandra felton, she describes, on a scale of 1-10, cleanies (10) to messies (1).

i spent thanksgiving day with a uber cleanie. on a scale of 1-10 she was a scary 10. the kind who throw their kids toys away before they are done playing with them or scrubs the floor with a toothbrush twice a day. her food was alphabetized on the shelf. I came away with a can of rotel tomatoes and thing of cheez whiz to make queso becuase they were 1 day past their "sell by" date.

a 1 is a hoarder or slob like you see on the british housecleaning show.