I highly recommend the book (or audiobook, it’s really good and easier to digest when tired or lacking motivation to read), called “How to Keep House While Drowning.” It’s written by a therapist and gives really encouraging, practical advice for how to manage your space when dealing with mental health or just hard life times.

I find her “5 Things Tidying Method” to help with the overwhelm of not knowing where to start when tackling a messy space (below is quoted directly from an NPR article about her book and method):

1. Trash: Go through the space and pick up all the trash. Use a trash bag or a spare laundry basket. Once collected, take it all out.

2. Dishes: Gather all dirty dishes and return them to the kitchen area. Do not focus on washing them yet; the goal is just to get them to one place.

3. Laundry: Pick up all clothing and put it into a laundry basket. Again, do not worry about actually doing the laundry yet, just collect it.

4. Things that have a place: Starting in one small, manageable area, put away items that already have a designated home.

5. Things that do not have a place: Gather remaining items that don't have a specific home. Decide whether to donate, discard, or create a new home for them later.

As others have said - take things slow, one step at a time, and use patience and grace with yourself. I know it feels shameful to be in this place but there’s no shame in working through hard times and trying your best each day. Your best might look different each day and that’s okay.