I love to scrapbook and make cards. I’m eve lucky enough to have my own room. But fibromyalgia pain keeps from working more than 25 -30 minutes at a time. Just when the creative juices get going, I hurt too much to continue. Any ideas from those of you with the same prob? Love to hear from yoy
Hello J & A's bobba
I'm afraid that this is just the way it is with fibromyalgia. 25 to 30 minutes is about the limit to focus and stay in that one position for any craft project before the hurting takes over.......and the vision can start to become blurry.
The first plus for you is that you have your own room dedicated to your craft projects so you don't have to put them all away each time. I would suggest that you take planned breaks before the soreness and hurting start. At first I would think that after 20 minutes you should get up and move around the house for a walk, then do some gentle shoulder rotations and then do the same with your neck. I personally would have to work with my fingers because I now have osteoarthritis in my hands and fingers on top of fibro. Perhaps you would enjoy a cup of tea or coffee or hot chocolate or whatever. Then go back to your scrapbooking. While you are walking around the house your creative juices can continue to work. Perhaps, in time, you will be able to work 30 minutes before you need to take a break. To make sure you take your planned breaks, take a timer with you and set it for 20 minutes.
I hope this works for you.
I think you're doing great! I know what you mean about the creative juices tho. Kind of sucks the fun out of it when you have to stop when you just get going.
You need to listen to your body though. You know the cycle. If we start to have pain we can make it worse by persisting. I have a loft that is dedicated to my crafts. It's an utter mess and has been for 2 years. I keep telling myself if I would just sort through the muck I would use my stuff and have some fun with it. But, for me I just can't fit it in. By the time I get the laundry done and the grocery shopping done and dinner made every day, I've had enough. I don't work anymore and my kids are adults. But, I have really found I have to "bank" my time, only spending on the highest priorities. If I over do I'm sunk for about 3 days.
Well, that didn't encourage you, did it? Maybe just stopping when your body says to stop, but leave yourself a note reminding yourself where you left off. Rachel and Ratteld have some good ideas. I think I might use some of them myself. I know how hard it is to be a creative person and find that fibro throws a wrench in it.
Be encouraged. Craft on! Just don't over-do.
Kitty
Quickly jot down notes of your ideas as you get them. This way you have ideas ready and waiting when the energy strikes. Also you won’t forget any great ideas that you had. Good luck enjoy the creative juices and feed them as often as you can. It is a great distraction for the " all time pain".