CHAOS is an Internet acronym. It stands for, “Can’t Have Anybody Over Syndrome”. It’s a fun play on words, unless you have it!
And especially post-COVID, a lot of people aren’t in the best frame of mind for cleaning, tidying, and decluttering. It’s counterintuitive to think of, but the fact that we spent a huge amount of extra time working from home didn’t necessarily give us any more time to tidy up – it just meant we generated a whole new type of work-related mess at home.
If you’re currently suffering from CHAOS, don’t stress too much about it. Most of us have been there, and you can get through it.
First, and foremost, go easy on yourself. This is one of those problems where it’s common to think other people will be judging you, and that’s usually not the case. Much of the time they’ll just be happy that they get to go to your house, rather than you having to see their messy place!
Second, consider which areas of your home you need to expose to the guests. Odds are good your company isn’t going to ask for a full tour of your home! If you’re having a friend over to discuss something, you’ll need a room to sit and talk in – and probably a bathroom. Those are your highest-priority areas. Any area where a door can be closed off will be hidden from view, so you don’t have to worry about it at the moment.
Third, remember the difference between trash and garbage. If you have a limited amount of time to get things tidied, you’ll almost certainly want to start with eliminating garbage – then move on to the trash. Piles of paper and other stuff are unavoidable sometimes, but unprocessed garbage tends to draw judgement.
Fourth, don’t be afraid to recruit help. Whether that’s family members or some friends that know what your house looks like, having a person to help – or even just somebody to talk to while you work – can be a huge motivation for your efforts.
Of course if you just can’t find the time or energy right now, all is not lost. Coffee shops & restaurants offer a nice, clean, judgement-free place to meet up with friends and family. The only cost is the cost of a couple cups of coffee, which is likely a fantastic investment if you’re not going to be able to get your home in shape before they arrive!
That said, if this isn’t a one-time thing – f you’re trapped in full-on CHAOS, and can’t even find the energy to begin -that’s something we can help with. Just have us come over, point at the stuff that needs to disappear, and we’ll haul it off into the sunset – just like an old western TV show. Our local junk removal service can handle anything from a bunch of bags of junk to a whole-house cleanout, and is faster, friendlier, and more affordable than you might think. Give us a call today for a free quote, and let us help you enjoy your social life again!