A powerful cleaning tip shared on social media has left users 'amazed', offering a lifeline to those struggling to maintain a tidy home amidst busy schedules and feelings of shame.
The Plea for Help That Resonated Online
The conversation began when one Reddit user, a full-time student also working full-time, made a heartfelt plea for advice. They described their profound embarrassment at the state of their home, where the floor was obscured by clothes, garbage, and papers, and their bathroom was 'disgusting'.
The user, who also has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), revealed the mess had been accumulating since August. They confessed to being 'terrified of anyone seeing the state of my life right now' and were having nightmares about people discovering their bathroom. Panicked and feeling immense shame, they had even considered hiring a cleaner but turned to the online community for strategies first.
The 'Amazing' Ten-Minute Strategy
In response, another user who identified with similar struggles, often linked to periods of low mood, offered a simple yet transformative piece of advice. The core of the strategy is to set a timer for just 10 minutes each day and focus solely on cleaning without any distractions.
The method involves a clear, three-step process for tackling a single space, recommending starting with the bathroom:
- Remove all garbage from the space immediately.
- Gather all laundry into a hamper or put it away.
- Tidy one surface at a time, for example, concentrating everything around the sink.
The original poster of the tip emphasised the importance of maintaining the 'conquered' areas as part of the daily ten-minute routine. To motivate themselves, they try to invite someone over for a coffee a few times a month, creating a deadline for keeping the cleaned spaces presentable.
Overwhelming Positive Response and Additional Advice
The effectiveness of this method was quickly confirmed by other users. One person replied, 'I’m actually amazed how much I can do in those few minutes', adding that they often continue cleaning after the timer ends because they've found their momentum.
Others built upon the idea, suggesting gamifying the process by seeing how much can be accomplished before the timer beeps. The community also offered strong support for hiring a cleaner if it's financially feasible, with many asserting there is no shame in seeking help when life becomes overwhelming. As one commenter wisely noted, 'Getting your space back to normality is never as bad as you build it up to be in your head.'
