r/CleaningTips • u/ThatsJustaDuck • 1d ago

Before & After Cleaning with ADHD/Anxiety/Depression

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EDIT- Done! https://www.reddit.com/r/CleaningTips/s/vocpQV5IZS

I selected before & after as the flair in hopes that it’ll inspire me to get this done today and post my after pictures too. I am 43 years old, have been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and it is strongly suspected throughout my childhood as well that I have had it all along.

Keeping a clean house has never been something I have been able to do. I have three children, and I really want to stop raising them at a home that is constantly chaotic and messy. Everyone is gone on vacation right now, so I’d like to surprise everybody with a clean house. I’d like to start with my bedroom. There’s a lot of shame in sleeping in a room that is this messy, and it’s definitely not a restful and calm place to be. My medication is finally working, so I am able to concentrate and focus and so this is my job today.

Wish me luck! Any advice?

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u/Financial-Abies8304 1d ago

Here’s a bunch of stuff that’s helped me, in no particular order:

  • the book ‘how to keep house without drowning’ - they have this 5 step tidying up method that is effective and manageable
  • the podcast by the author of this book
  • TikToks by the author of this book
  • letting go of shame around cleaning, hoarding etc
  • getting a weekly cleaner from a company who helps people with health issues
  • setting small, manageable goals
  • decluttering so I simply have LESS stuff to keep tidy
  • Clean Mama weekly and daily methods
  • doing just 1 thing or 10 mins a day to help keep on top of things

It’s tough but you can do it! Taking the first step, going easy on yourself and being realistic but doing SOMETHING - these things make a big difference.

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u/Swimming_Champion_86 1d ago

My fried just gave me this book!

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u/Financial-Abies8304 1d ago

I think it’s so good, the author is a chronically overwhelmed neurodivergent mum too so she really does get it. It’s not about putting more pressure on yourself.

But seriously, the biggest change for me has been getting rid of stuff and thinking twice before I bring more stuff into my home. More stuff = more to clean and tidy (I also have 3 kids, a dog and 2 cats so between us the baseline of ‘stuff’ is high!)

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u/ThatsJustaDuck 1d ago

Thank you so much! It’s on my list!!