Sometimes LIFE just hits us upside the head, and we get a little lost. Of course, no one wants to live in a chaotic home, but it happens. Most people would prefer to have everything picked up and organized to enjoy being at home but sometimes that is not what happens.
Unfortunately, not everyone lives in a perfect space, which is OK! Heck, some people don't like to clean, and the mess does not bother them. If you have teenagers, you know what I'm saying is true.
What causes homes to go from orderly to chaotic?
Although there isn't always an answer (or reason) for the chaos, be careful not to fall into the trap because sometimes it is hard to come back from. I've been there, and getting out of that deep hole of clutter is hard to get out of- literally!
Life has a way of constantly evolving. Life is simpler at certain times, and things tend to move easily, then there are other periods when life feels strained, everything seems complicated. Unfortunately, that's generally the case for our houses. I think my house is like a never-ending rollercoaster, and I can't get off.
When the kids were young, it was hard to keep up with all the day-to-day chores, and now it's why can't anyone clean up after themselves kind of life. I feel I have to put in so much effort to keep things clean and organized, and no one cares and when I get the feeling of defeat; that is when things go left.
I have to realize a clean and organized home is for ME...not anyone else; it is essential for my mental health. So when I realized that, I stopped getting so butthurt when my teens did such a crappy job cleaning the kitchen or their room- they don't care, so why would they do a good job. They don't want to clean the kitchen spic and span; they want to finish quickly to continue with what makes them happy.
There are several causes why your home may be in disorder; some of the most common ones include:
- Significant life changes
- Illness or injury
- Overwhelm
1. LIFE CHANGES
Changes can put your home's peace at risk, whether for better or worse. So when you go through a significant change, it's essential to take some time to work through the feelings that come with the shift.
What to do about it- If you're going through a major transformation, be patient with yourself. Then, if required, get some outside assistance. Allow people near and dear to you to support you. If possible, plan ahead of time by preparing freezer meals or arranging for someone to come and assist with house chores, errands, or transportation of children.
2. ILLNESS
When somebody in your family is sick or injured, they often feel helpless and out of control. As a result, their home space will most likely become chaotic because there's lots of clutter building up around them as they struggle with their emotions and pain.
It's not easy to be ill or injured. It takes time to heal correctly or care for someone who has been injured. You could be unable to handle the demands of your home at the same time. That means everything might fall apart rapidly due to things like unopened bills. Many items get put on ice, like the mountain of laundry to unpaid debts.
What to do about it- Your health is more important than your to-do list. It's OK to focus on your healing or assisting someone else while they recuperate. You can deal with the laundry and electric bill when the pain has passed.
Do what must be done, regardless of how small it may seem. Invite family and friends for help whenever possible. When you're suffering from an illness or injury, most people want to join your support system. Take advantage of that.
3. OVERWHELM
When overwhelmed strikes, the only thing you can do is take it one step at a time. The best solution (and difficult) is to focus on one room or area at a time. For example, take the dishes out of the sink and place them in the dishwasher. If possible, begin with an area that requires little thought or emotional energy so you can build up your reserve for when overwhelming strikes again.
Overwhelm takes place both at home and away from it. Overwhelm is a major reason people feel chaotic at home. Whether it's work-related or not, overwhelm can erode your sense of serenity. It's difficult to focus on the efficiency of your house when you're apprehensive about things possibly going wrong. That's natural.
What to do about it- If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's probably a good idea to take things easy for a while. You may need to scale back your requirements for a bit to maintain peace in your home. When overwhelmed strikes, the only thing you can do is take it one step at a time.
There are a variety of causes why homes become chaotic. The majority of them are short-term and require only minor changes to address them. Assessing what you, your family, and your home need to maintain the peace so you can refresh and unwind even when things aren't going as planned is a good idea.
Operating under stress is one reason people find themselves succumbing to overwhelm. When you're feeling stressed out, take a minute and compose yourself before continuing.
You can begin by making a list of what you require to do and which order. It's possible to tidy your desk or bedroom floor, but if you're still frazzled, it's unlikely that you'll continue doing so after a short period. Do what you can when you can.
I've been picking one room for the month and making a list of all that needs to be done. I call it my spring cleaning moments. First, I will rearrange the furniture because when you do that, then everything gets a good clean- vacuumed and dusted.
Get rid of stuff your not using and haven't used in over a year. I think one thing I have learned over the years is not everything I own has to be out in the open. I can have stuff in boxes; I mostly try to keep only mementos, but that doesn't always happen because I like to shop!
Do what makes you happy, and don't dwell on what others will think- it's your home and your peace.
You can read another article of mine: 6 Steps For A Peaceful Home- Stop The Chaos
at a time.
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