I haven’t read all the responses but recommend “pacing” yourself. I also struggle working a 6 hour day. Rather than the spoon theory I prefer marbles. Here goes:
A similar idea with a different image is the Bowl of Marbles. In this approach, you imagine your available energy as a bowl of marbles. Each marble represents a small amount of energy. Estimate your energy level each morning and put an appropriate number of marbles in a bowl. (Some people in our program have taken this idea literally, using marbles or coins stored in a bowl. Other people do calculations in their head.)
With every activity, you take one or more marbles out of the bowl: one for showering, one for dressing, etc. Some projects take more marbles than others. Also, the same task may require more marbles on some days than on others. Physical activity uses up your supply, but mental and emotional activity consume marbles as well. For example, if you feel frustrated about how few marbles you have, your frustration will use up some of your marbles. Stress, tension and fear are all big marble-users. Whatever you do to lessen them will preserve your supply of marbles for other uses.
The bowl of marbles is similar to another way to understand chronic illness, the Spoon Theory. The latter is often used to educate others about illness or disability and tells how the author taught a friend about Lupus by asking her how to get through a day with a limited supply of energy, visualized as spoons.
Hmm quarters… Makes me want to visit an old arcade and play the quarters game. It it an addictive game. If you win then you get a really HUGE bucket of quarters. Played that game before? Keeps me entertained for hours!
Yes I am too and don't like being told off or what to do either. Haha! It takes forever to learn our limits and they change all the time depending on stress levels and sleep, as well as activity. We can't flippin win sometimes! But as long as we are making progress it all worth it.
I took Xanax for the longest time, then Rheumy changed it to Valium, said he liked it better and it stayed in the system longer, but I am not sure it is better. Sometimes it works, other times, I am in your spot!
I'll tell you Katie, if you can figure this out, you could be a very wealthy woman! Hope you are doing well. I took Flexeril for a short period, can't remember why I stopped anymore, but it either was no help or did not agree with me!
Oh Katie I soo know this feeling. I hate not working yet I hate having to work. I can sit home and be stressed because I’m not working and bringing in money and I can only clean for 5-10 mins then rest for 30-45 mins at a time. But here is where I get into trouble. WORK! So I started my job with my husband and well they like me doing the part time so much they want me full time…I am hoping its still flexible like the other day I was working along and at about 1:30 I started having horrid pain and I guess I turned SHEET white. My supervisor looked at me and asked if I was doing okay cuz I didn’t look good. I told her no, that I was in a lot of pain. And she said go home and get some rest. The other work they want me to do is filing and answering phones and such so I won’t be on my feet as much as I am in the prep room.
Does annyone know of anyone being allergic to air conditioning? When I go into the preproom I start sweating and my nose in running and I become a miserable mess. But if I am working outside of the preproom I am fine. Weird…yes I know!
Sorry I haven’t been around lately but have been working a lot and beat as all get out. Miss you all!
Katie…just try and pace yourself. Remember the more you push the more you hurt and you don’t want the hurt!
I'm lucky enough that my husband can take care of the bills. I just feel useless sometimes, because I can't keep up with the house. I just don't know how to find a balance and stop volunteering at church.
I've never heard of anyone allergic to air conditioning, but I do know about another condition that you might check with your doctor. My daughter has it - it's called non-allergic rhinitis.
Basically, anything that overwhelms your nose (like walking into a much colder/dryer room or through the perfume aisle at a store) causes the muscles around your nose and sinuses to go into spasm, causing headaches, runny nose (in front or down your throat), and general allergic symptoms without actually being allergic to anything.
The doctor gave my daughter a nasal spray that has cortisone steroids in it, and that seems to help a lot.
Gentle hugs from The Crone (I was Geek before it was Chic)
