How can I get everything done?

[MessyKat]

Hello everyone. I have a problem, and well what better place to discuss it than here.

I am single and own a home (okay, the mortgage company technically owns it, but I'm paying for it). I do not have children, and I do have 3 cats and 2 dogs.

Well in my life, if I don't do it, it will never get done. If I am hungry I have to cook, and of course clean and well I don't even want to mention the laundry. Minor home repairs are also my responsibility as well as the yard work (2/3 acre) with 2 ponds that need maintenance. Paying the bills, balancing the checkbook, shopping for groceries.

Right now my house is literally one HUGE mess. I am so far behind on laundry it truly is pitiful. Now the mowing season has decended and I have to mow every week.

Please don't think I am unhappy, I really love my life and am thankful for every one of the many blessings I have.

I get so overwhelmed. I don't know how others deal with this. Can you guys give me some ideas how to keep on top of all of this.

I really appreciate your responses.

[madhen]

I also live alone, with livestock, dogs, chickens, and parrots. I have a full-time job that requires about 10-12 hours of time away from the house M-F, and often requires travel.

I don't do home repair. Through trial and error, I found a trusty handyman to do minor repairs, and I have a couple of services I trust for the larger stuff (i.e, an electrician, a well-service place, a window company, etc.)

I don't have a lawn, but back when I had one, I did hire someone to come in and take care of it. I found him through a neighbor, and I have to admit that he was REALLY cheap and did a great job; otherwise, I probably would have done it myself. I kind of liked mowing my lawn and sitting out there, pulling up crabgrass and clover, but I also didn't have a huge lawn. This guy would mow the lawn, blow all the leaves off the sidewalk, and trim all the bushes, roses, and fruit trees. If you need a little help, there is nothing wrong with having someone come in just once a month or every other month.

The only time I feel totally overwhelmed is when I'm sick. I had the flu a few months back, and could barely climb out of bed, and there were the donkeys and goats yelling for breakfast and dinner EVERY day.

The house does get away from me. But since I live alone, if it doesn't bug me, I don't stress out about it! Laundry gets done every Sunday, and dishes get washed daily, so I don't have big piles of dirty clothes or rotten food lying around. So really, it is just clutter that is left over, and while I would rather not have the clutter, I would also rather sit and read a book occasionally than be a slave to my house.

[Early Bird]

take a look at www.flylady.net

Baby steps.

[tervsforme]

Messykat, I am sooo with you on this one. I also live alone, have 3 dogs and am currently renting, however, I'm looking for a house to buy. Sometimes I find myself very ovwhelmed with work and all that needs to be done that I don't seem to get anything done. I agree, babysteps. Just take a few minutes and sort a little bit of laundry and do 1 load. That alone will make you feel better and that you accomplished something. I'm working on a schedule to even the stuff to be done throughout the week so that I don't have to spend my whole weekend cleaning and doing laundry. I am starting to find that if I do a little bit, even just 5 or 10minutes every day, things start getting done. I also agree that maybe you should find someone to help with the outside work, even just to get it started. Every little bit helps. Maybe there is a neighborhood kid that you can pay to help you out.

Also, try cooking with a crockpot and make enough to have left overs so that there is at least one day a week where you don't have to cook dinner. Works great. A pot of stew usually lasts me a couple of dinners and a couple of lunches.

I'm with ya, I and I'll give you all the support you need.

[Blessed]

Well, I don't live alone. I have 3 kids and a husband (aka my oldest child). I also own and operate a small retail shop along side my ebay business. My laundry is caught up, my dishes are done, my carpets are vacuumed and my bathroom is clean.

WAIT!

When I was single, had no children, and lived by myelf, my house was TRASHED! Why? I don't know, but it's something to think about. Part of the reason was probably because I was going to school full time days and working full time nights. I think there is more to it than that. Any thoughts?

[midwestgal]

LOL Blessed! Have you heard the expression, "If you want something done, give the job to a busy woman/man?"

[SewCrafty]

On the laundry thing, how about some cheap laundry baskets (from the dollar store if you have one) get one for each color you sort into. As you take things off, make a habit of putting them in the correct basket. Then when each basket is full, just throw it in the washer in the morning and dry it when you get home at night?

I have to admit when I lived alone I didn't eat well at all. Now it is just 2 of us and I always cook way too much, so I have some of those plastic TV dinner type storage dishes and fill them with leftovers and pop in the freezer. Super easy to just take one out and put in the microwave to have a hot and balanced meal.

Good luck as it isn't easy, but one step at a time and you will get there.

[dwallyfam]

use the crockpot to make a couple of dinner and leftovers for the week. Laundry try to do a load at a time. I am always putting a load in the washer when I get home, in the dryer and fold it while I watch TV at night.

Kellie

[Lorri]

definately try flylady or books by the slob sisters.

Good Luck

[MessyKat]

I want to thank all of your for your responses. All are excellent ideas. I do use my crockpot, and even when I don't I make sure I cook enough for 2 days so I don't have to cook every day.

I am also a flybaby (www.flylady.net) and I think I've had my wings clipped. I've not been flying for a while now.

I really liked the idea of the clothes baskets. I have a huge amount of these baskets and this is a wonderful idea.

Doing a little a day makes so much sense. My plan last night was go spend only 5 minutes in each room. You know, kinda make a game out of it to see how much I could get done...I got to the couch and that was it. Yesterday was a pretty draining day for me, so I trying to NOT beat myself up, and make this plan for tonight.

I can't really hire anything done as I don't even live paycheck to paycheck. I could, however ask some friends to come over and help. I could cook dinner with stuff I already have.

Good news when I weighed this morning I have lost 3 more pounds which really makes me feel good.

I truly appreciate all of your repsonses and hope to get many more. Everything said is important.

Thank you everyone and keep those responses coming!

[AmyBoz]

Maybe you could assign yourself one room per day and spend 15 minutes in the asigned room while your dinner is heating up, or whatever. Like, tonight, only spend 15 minutes in your bedroom. Tomorrow could be your kitchen day. No need to do every room every day.

Trust me, when I get home from work and get dinner started for the family, I'm so zonked, I'm lucky if my clothes hit the laundry basket instead of the outside of the closet door.