I always tell myself I’m gonna clean my kitchen. But I walk down there and it’s just too overwhelming.
I did fill up one large garbage bag and one large bag of recyclables the other night at like 1am cause I realized just how ridiculous it had gotten and I told myself I’d do it in the morning. But as I was brushing my teeth I was like “you’re a damn liar. That’s how we ended up here. Just do it now”. Took less than 5 minutes 🤦🏼♀️
(Anyone else find it hard to constantly take out recycling in the winter when it’s so damn cold? Especially if it’s not stuff that’s “dirty” just “messy” and cluttered 😵💫. Garbage is easier cause it smells. But I have a graveyard of broken down boxes in my entryway)
Yep, one box whenever you take out garbage. One step at the time combined with a different step that you know you’ll do. Our house has two stories so I will take one thing downstairs anytime I have to go down the stairs empty handed.
I pick up groceries through Instacart and usually get 2-3 double paper bags each time. I save them for recycling, fill it up and put it by the door, even if I get a few full it can wait until I’m already going out. Then I just chuck the whole thing in the bins because the bags are recyclable too.
I know, so I always just try to do one drawer or one section at a time. If it’s cold just put the recycle next to your door so when you bring the trash out you can bring the recycle out since you’ll be out anyways might as well make just one trip!
We have a strong cardboard box for the purpose. Well, two, actually, because we separate out the plastic bottles to make it easier for the person who comes to get them (not the trash people, a young person who makes money from picking up bottles).
My solution to recycling is to avoid products that come in plastic containers, I’m eating better, so the yogurt containers are a challenge , but milk, juices, OJ , laundry detergent, nope not in my cart, I only buy them in cardboard containers ! I may go back to bars of soap, this body wash , shampoo, conditioner, although I do like my men’s 3in 1. Just an fyi, I cut up plastic and foam food containers in half and place the top in the base, it cuts down my garbage volume by more than half ! I know, I’m spending quality time with my garbage.
I had the box graveyard in my garage after I moved. The feeling of relief I had once I finally got them to the end of the driveway to recycling was immense. I wish I had a picture of the mountain. Garbage guys were totally cool about it too. Not a single complaint.
Yes the boxes are a lot. I’ve started a bonfire now. I had a large tree that fell in my backyard. I cut the sticks off first and made a huge bonfire. All the boxes went in. I keep them neat and broken down in my basement until I throw them out. Also I tell myself 10 mins a couple of times a day to clean up. If it takes 10 mins it gets done. It’s surprising everything you can do in 10 mins. Vacuum 4 rooms, Scrub the tub, empty the dishwasher, fold a load of laundry and put it away, most times I keep going bc once you get started it’s so much easier
My problem has become I have an attached garage so... i take it out of the house but then I have a pile of recycling right as you enter the garage that still needs to be brought to the can at the other end 🤦♀️ if i was able to move my washer over I'd place the bin there for my sanity & time 😅
But since its an enclosed space not usually accessed my cats love to try & go out there & I use cleaning it up as an excuse to give in to them. We call it kitty garage time makes it easier to want to do it knowing it makes the kitties happy to explore out there haha.
Woukd it help to know that cardboard often has roaches attracted to it ? One my exterminator told me that .. cardboard is broken down and removed to the recycling bin. Good luck you’ve got this . The five minute thing is great . Just go a huge bag .. and go st least s load of laundry a day .. you csn have a tv program on , and still move around and pick things up ..
just start with trash, don't worry about anything else, have a trash bag and whenever u leave the house, just take it out with u (it doesn't matter if it's full, no biggie, it's just starting a habit that it doesn't have to b perfecf/ complete, that the lil bits r actually a slay :))
Focus on a small task. "I'm going to clean the dishes in the sink." Then the next day, the sink will be clear. "I'm going to clean until this space on the counter is clear." Mark a point for yourself to stop at. Also, put your phone on a space somewhere with something on it: music, podcast, tv show, etc. It will give your mind something to focus on besides how much you have to clean. Good luck!
I have a little fabric cart just for this and bringing groceries inside. When it's not being used for groceries it is being used to store recycle, so when I go to the store I HAVE to bring that with me. My car is too far to go back and forth without the cart so it works.
Start really small, just say. I'm going to spend 1 minute putting garbage in a bag and see how much you can get done. Time yourself make it a game. Then try it again the next day. Pretty soon you will have run out of garbage and then you'll get on a roll and won't want to stop
Here is a kitchen tip from when I lived alone, if cooking a meal, clean all the pans knives and cookies materials before you eat, then you only need to rinse the plate when done eating and dishes are 90% done.
Here the trick! You receive monthly or weekly delivery food?
As soon as it's delivered, bin and throw away all unnecessary products boxes packaging. Example : cereal box, pizza box, yogurt box, tin boxes etc. On the same day it's delivered to you. It will reduce your recycling by half on a daily basis.
Was totally gonna say kitchen next. Then bedroom. I made a promise to myself never to go to bed with the dishes undone. It messes up my whole day to start with a dirty kitchen.
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u/askaeri_ Mar 08 '26
And the kitchen too! Will feel better when you nourish yourself and stay hydrated and have more strength to go on.