So many of us select a part of us to change and ignore the rest of our “self.” It doesn’t work that way. You are a whole package. Picking one side of your self to work on without addressing every side of you just isn’t effective. Your foundation will crumble somewhere. Sure, select one of your corners at a time, strengthen that, and move to another until things are as strong as they can be. But, again, improving your diet, for example, and ignoring exercise or living in unclean surroundings, or continuing to date that verbally or physically abusive other will still leave you weak and wanting. Who needs that!

This comes about today because of recent observations with friends who have health issues most of their lives and who live in very dirty surroundings . . . filled with grease, grime, dirt, pet dander, spilled food in cupboards (left for months or years at a time), etc. They have respiratory problems in the main. While I agree that challenging your system through exposure to germs is probably necessary to develop immunities, and that a too-clean environment is counter-productive to developing such immunities, I am also positive that ongoing exposure to dirty living quarters is dangerous to your health and often presents itself in the form of asthma, psychological stress, and any number of issues. It also, as noted in many articles, is a place that becomes embarrassing for family and friends to visit.

One of the important first steps to to get rid of clutter. Years ago I read an book indicating that if you have not used an item within 365 days (which accounts for holidays), you do not need it. I took that to heart, cleaned out all unused items and have maintained that for years. Cleaning my house is easy as a result. Many books (and services, if you have the budget for outside help) exist to help you, including:
Organize Now!: A Week By Week Guide To Simplify Your Space And Your Life

If you really hate housecleaning, and many people do (and that is just fine), and if you can’t afford a cleaner, do yourself a favor by owning only what you really need, have time for, and which has it’s own place (you remember the old adage: A place for everything and everything in its’ place.). That will make your cleaning infinitely easier.

I’m sure your local hardware store can give ideas to make cleaning easier. If you’d prefer to shop from home, Amazon.com has a wide range of Cleaning Supplies. Perhaps there will be a new idea or something that makes it easier for you. And the exercise is good for you. When asked how she stayed so beautiful, one of the French movie actresses (which I believe was Simone Signoret) said that she does her own housework and gardening.

And music helps. I’ve painted whole houses to The Police albumns.
Music to Clean House By . . .

Your friends and family do love you, but there is only so much they can do. It is painful for them to see you let go and pretend to not care about yourself.