The hygiene/motivation issue

Been in the same clothes for over a week, A part of me knows I need to change but I just can’t seem to make myself do so.
Some of it I know is down to irrationality ie the longer I wear the clothes the less I use the washing machine the longer I’ll not need a new washing machine.
This ties in with the bathing. It’s hard to motivate myself to bathe, and then if I bathe it means fresh clothes which in turn means using the washing machine.

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Maybe do some research on a washing machine repair man. It will cut down on the cost of replacing it and it will give you a safety valve for your anxiety. You can kind of program yourself to think, “okay, I’ll get it repaired if it stops working, so I can use it now as much as I need.” I see that as a proactive aid to motivate you to do it.

What I do when I get nervous about something is I start talking to myself or the object. I am practicing talking to myself and my cats for when I move out of my mom’s. When you are having a dialog with someone or yourself you take the pressure off your mind. It keeps you from reflexively thinking anxious thoughts. I also use a safe word to stop myself from getting too anxious about something.

Technically I can see that’s good advice, but not even sure the parts could be got for it considering how old it is.

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I don’t change my clothes for weeks at a time so I don’t shower that often. I do apply new deodorant once in awhile though.

If I had a shower I’d probably wash more. My bath is so narrow it’s not enjoyable having a bath.

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I change my clothes anytime there’s a chance they smell from being worn too long. I rarely bathe though, full on shower probably less than monthly! But I don’t ever really do anything that makes me sweat too much so I don’t seem to smell too bad most of the time. It’s gonna be a problem staying ok smelling now the weather is getting hotter though

Paranoia contributes to not showering as well though for me, it’s not all down to motivation

Actually i m not shower often too.i m shower every sunday before i go work.but i m changing my clothes every 2 day.when i shower i like to use home made olive oil soap.the reason that i use this homemade soap is its not smelling unbearable parfume like any other soaps.its just smellness cleaning.i don t smell bad nor good.

You can find good homemade soap recipe at internet like below:

Two for one, jump in the tub with your clothes on.

My great aunt absolutely hated taking a bath, and it was a miracle if she took one once a month, but she never smelled bad and her clothes looked clean. She was way ahead of her time, being born in 1899.

It’s a myth by the fashion industry that you have to wash your clothes so often, think of Levis 501’s, you wash your pants until they fall apart, then required to buy more.
Do the Earth a favor and wash your clothes only when dirty.
Same for the body, wash the parts that need it, a good 'ol sink bath is sufficient instead of using all the tub water that could save a S.African village.

I’ve been handling my chores more, I became a slob. I’m sure just doing them is better for your health

I shower once or twice a week but I stay clean because I wash my private parts each time I go to toilet and take ablution for prayers at least three times a day (Islam is a very clean religion). And I change my clothes daily. But let’s not get into my terrible teeth hygiene. I don’t want to even think when last I brushed my teeth! Crazy girl I am! I do have terrible problems with motivation!

It is typical of schizophrenics to have issues with hygiene. I don’t want to be part of the group in that way . . .

Jayster

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I only wash when I get pressure off my family. In fact most of my showers are taken at my mums house. Without there impetus I wouldn’t wash. My sz grannie would go months without washing. In fact we share many very similar symptoms.

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I haven’t showered in days now :weary: The issue is I’ll get so overwhelmed at the thought of having to get dressed and showered that I’ll just be stuck in bed hours procrastinating about it instead of being productive. So on days when I can I give up and don’t worry about any of those things so I can get work done instead.

I get anxiety over using the washing machine, too. My solution has been to own so many clothes I can go a solid two months without washing anything.

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That sounds like a good idea but I’m not a great one for buying clothes. When my wife was alive and well she took charge of that side of things. When it comes to clothes shopping I’m rather clueless.

My clothes consist of 6 elasticated waist trousers,a pair of jeans that fits, a dozen or so mainly blue and purple t shirts,3 or so ordinary shirts I seldom wear ,white socks,underwear,4-5 sweatshirts/jumpers, various coats -most of which don’t fit, 2 pairs of pyjamas, several pairs of sleep shorts, several jogging bottoms I bought but seldom wear.

I put an amount of clothes on the spare bed after washing them and then sort through the pile for clothes to wear.

Can you do things in steps?
Like, put the clothes to be washed in a bag.
Later on, like the next day or whatever, prepare the washing machine.
Later on, stuff the clothes in?

I have to set alarms on my smartwatch to tell me to wash clothes and when to move them to the dryer and pick them up. It usually takes a couple of days, one day I have to remember to go get quarters for the apartment laundry machines. Later, I put my clothes in a bag and put the bag and laundry soap by the door (along with the quarters). Finally, a day later, like one load gets washed.

If your machine doesn’t work, are there any laundry mats around? In the States there are businesses that are purely for clothes washing. It costs money, but it might be a little easier since your machine has issues. It also might help if you’re just avoiding your washing machine, you won’t have to use it if you go to a laundry mat.

I have used laundromats in the past, a long time ago, but there are none near me. I guess I am a little paranoid(for want of a better word) about the washing machine.

I shower every other day. My problem with hygiene is shaving. I haven’t shaved in months. I should brush my teeth more often as well.

I guess I’m fortunate to have OCD on top of sz, I am pretty strict about being clean. It is absolutely worth the time it takes to be clean, keep my space clean, and have good hygiene. Is it hard and time consuming? Yes. But it is also something you should decide to do regardless of how you feel about it because it is a good thing to do. I cannot see any valid argument against good hygiene.

I don’t know about y’all but I have absolutely no problems with shaving and showering every day. Motivation is not an issue for me. Guess I’m in the minority there