Whole house and backyard need help- where do I even start?

Connie
by Connie
Good idea start small tasks outside, like mulch replace. Need clean up and backyard ideas. icon

  7 answers
  • Dfm Dfm on Jul 16, 2017

    start with the back yard. Do what you can...winter is for inside tasks.

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Jul 16, 2017

    Do you mean renovating or just cleaning up? If just cleaning up, I go out in the early am (since temps rise to the 90's really fast) and do a few things in the yard, then come inside and clean whatever needs to be done, then I sometimes go outside after sunset to do a little more. Just make a list and stick with it. Don't get overwhelmed. Check off each item that you Do and you will look at the list and feel a sense of accomplishment.

    • DORLIS DORLIS on Jul 17, 2017

      I agree! Here in Missouri we are in for temperatures in the high 90's and even 105 so you only go outside in early am and after sun goes down. That is when I water plants. Then it inside for chores in the AC cooled house. After 76 years, I have learned one thing, to take it slow, sit and rest, get up again. No sense in killing yourself so someone else can enjoy your work.

  • I am with Chubby58, make a master list. As you complete an item, cross it off. If another chore pops up, put it on the list. I am a list maker by nature and have multiple lists going at all times. Shopping list, (everyday stuff of life items), "things to buy" - (new matress pad, linens, new tires, etc.), "home improvement" - (any big ticket item I may need for the house, new appliance, windows, etc.), "craft items or supplies" - things I look for at any store I visit, garage sales, thrift shops and so on. You get the picture. It is always evolving, never ending.

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Jul 17, 2017

    If you're talking renovations, I'd start with the areas you use most. Kitchen and bathrooms are always the most used but the most expensive. As was already suggested, make a list. Put the things that are most important to you at the top and start there. Do one thing at a time. Don't try to do everything at once. It will get done.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jul 17, 2017

    I have pretty much the same problem. We live in a house that was built in 1855 so we are redoing a lot of things. It is fun in a way, but a little discouraging in other ways. We decided to break it down into small tasks we could do on saturday. We have a list of 2 hour projects, 3 hour projects, and 6 hour projects. Then, (depending on the saturday because things come in life) we either do 3 two hour tasks, 2 three hour tasks, or 1 six hour task. During the week instead of looking at a huge list of things to check off, I write down the things I did do on each day. Small 15 minute things, like declutter a drawer in the kitchen, or finished a load of laundry, or plant the flowers in the garden. You get the idea. That way I'm not overwhelmed by what needs to get done, but I'm encouraged by what I have done. Anyway, I hope you will just start with something, anything is a good start. Just do what you can, when you can, and things will start to flow and you'll feel like it isn't such a burden on you.

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Jul 17, 2017

    Ditto on that Dorlis!

  • Nea8279877 Nea8279877 on Jul 18, 2017

    When I redid several houses it helped to complete at least one "santuary"; bedroom, master bath or wherever u can go without glaring projects and refuel, recharge and pat yourself on the back for the work you have done.