How can I keep my room clean?

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No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to keep my room clean.

My grandma (whom I live with) is a hoarder. Since I’ve lived with her all my life, that behavior has rubbed off on me. But I don’t want to be a hoarder and I don’t want my room to constantly be a mess. I’m moving out soon and I don’t want that translating into my new abode.

Does anyone have any tips on how I can mentally prepare myself to say out with the old and in with the new? Especially when it comes to clothing I’m fairly attached to? Thank you.

Category: Tags: asked July 29, 2014

4 Answers

3
accepted
Old habits die hard. I wouldn't quite classify myself as a hoarder, but if this makes any sense, I have an overwhelming guilt problem, and that manifested itself in the items and clothing that I owned. Notice that word in past tense - owned. Here's how I started my journey towards keeping a clean room.

1. Define what you do want your room to look like.
Go on Pinterest, or go search through home decor tags on Tumblr. Find ideas for your new room. What do you want to have inside the room? What color do you want it to be? What do you want to feel when you enter your living space?

2. Identify what you need to get rid of, and get rid of it.
Compare your dream living space to your current living space. What needs to leave the picture? This is actually easier if you are moving, because while you are packing, you can continually ask yourself the question, "Do I really want this?" If you come across irreplaceable valuables, set those aside and come up with an organized plan for them so they can be stored properly in the future.

3. Remember that you more than likely have not missed most of the clutter that you have in your room.
You probably haven't thought about most of the clutter you have in your room for several months. Throw it away! Do not look over every little object and make up reasons why you should keep it. Throw. It. Away. Keep your dream living space in mind. The goal is to feel safe and relaxed in your home.

4. Set up alarms/reminders.
Do what you've got to do. Set up an alarm on your phone every Sunday, mark it on your calendar, distribute sticky notes - anything! But you must tend to your room weekly. That's right. I said weekly. The more often you clean the little messes, the better off you will be.

5. Remember, a clean room is a happy room.
It is scientifically proven that the state of your room reflects on how you are feeling. If your room is a swirling vortex of entropy, that must mean that is how you feel about your life at home. This is understandable, considering your grandmother's hoarding habits. Keep your room clean, keep yourself happy. You will also be a positive example for your grandmother.

I hope these things will help you. Good luck! :)
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I have this same problem & what i do to clean up is put things back as soon as I'm done using them. In your case hoarding usually means you have a lot of stuff so i would just focus on throwing away things that you haven't used or won't use & clothes that you haven't worn in months.
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Everyday make your bed. Don't leave food in your room. Put things back where they belong. Every once a week clean your room. ( vacuum,wash, dust, and etc.)Tip: Make a checklist of things you have to do.
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A good way to do this is to take pictures of things you'll miss! That way, you'll always have them, without taking up space.