So I am back! I write this with a timer running for five minutes. I have no plan of what to write, so lets see what comes out. I am curious to see how much I can type in the time limit.
This is my new strategy, true pacing, I shall type for 5 minutes several times today and see how my hands feel. Both are still curled and very painful, I am used to that. Tomorrow I shall do it again and over days I shall gradually increase my time in the hope that I can reach a sustainable pace that causes less hurt. Aargh 30 seconds left! so that’s it from me for now. Back soon. x
Here I go again. apologies that this is a very dull post. Sufferers will know the importance of pacing and the frustration it causes. I often find pacing more depressing than helpful. At my first visit to a CFS clinic, run by a hospital, I was amazed to see leaflets and guides in the waiting room, all about the condition and how to manage it. Never had I been in a room with so much information. None of it was knew information to me, but it felt great to see it all there. One helpful sheet, described breaking down tasks into manageable chunks, using washing as an example…..
It outlined how to divide the task into sections and complete each over time. Ha, so depressing, if I followed this advice I could spend all day achieving nothing but putting the washing on. Okay so in truth I do always do the washing in stages. Root through wash basket, in the bathroom, usually whilst on the loo, multitasking, weyhey, throw colours one way, lights another and leave for some time. Later I will take the biggest pile down and stuff into machine, dropping some things along the way and always missing one sock, or pair of knickers no matter how well I search them out. Next time I use that loo, always sooner than I think, I either throw the pile back into wash basket and ignore or remove and dump near to washer, … Time up ! Again
Here I go with more ramblings. Do I carry on with the theme of washing? Or something new? Aaah choices! So I will finish the washing first, this is a little like life, everything gets put on hold for a better time, when can cope. So thank goodness for long washing cycles, eventually the beeping machine, calls me to it, I drag things out and throw over the airer and shove in the direction of the radiator. In summer of course I drag it out side and chuck it over the line and airer I keep out there. Everyone comments on my higgeledy piggeledy washing, I say you do it your way, but this is mine. It all gets dry and eventually might make it upstairs and put away. I don’t iron it either! Domestic servitude is outmoded madness!
Okay so into kitchen, thrown into piles, onto stairs, up to my bed, off bed to pile on floor, joining pile on chair and every now and again folded into piles and actually put away. so yes my washing has a long journey, over many days or even weeks. My best advice, buy washer with the biggest drum, buy clothes you like and need in bulk, same for towels, bedding etc. Plan to survive at least a month, without needing to do any washing. Place washing baskets around the house to hide it all away and forget about it, until you really have to. Generally, I do a load or two, every 2 weeks or so and only when I feel up to it.
So this 5 minute thing is putting me under too much pressure to think fast. I will make this my last. Next time I am upping to 10 minutes! Yey! honestly this illness makes every simple thing so complicated. It can feel very depressing and motivation in these circumstances can be hard. I say, find your own levels and what works best for you, even if that seems to go against current medical thinking and treatment plans.
For me I believe in saving energy on all the chores and necessary activities in life, I cut every corner, and recommend you do the same.
Focus on the things you like and enjoy, even love. Our time is precious make it count.
Chris x
Living With ME 