Welcome to Positive Pick-Me-Ups. Today calls for some positivity!
Vacuuming… Dishes… Bill Payments… Laundry… Grocery Shopping…
There must be ways to make managing these daily household chores and errands easier. Aggravating our Fibro is just not an option!
Do you have some creative tips on how to cut corners you’d like to share? We want to know! 
Hello,
I think this is a great idea. Wanted to post a couple of days ago, cos I managed to wrap all my christmas presents! I am usually the last minute under pressure type of person, - or I get my daughter to do it! So pacing myself, thinking ahead, using a time I had more energy, that's what I achieved.
Also a tip for cutting corners for me this year - use the Internet for presents.Probably lots of people know this, but for me it was a first.
Take care, Anne
How fun! I like this idea. For me, whenever I get up and walk into another room, I try to carry anything I can that needs to be put away in the other room, saves me steps later. If I just carry 1 or 2 things at a time thru the day eventually it gets to the right room. Now if I could only train my dogs to be more helpful this way . . . Hugs!
They all sounds quite hideous, don't they? Well, many of us can't afford the best solution which would be to outsource the work! One thing that might help is to get together with a fibro buddy and work on one's house wait a few days and then work on the other's house. Organization, chunking and sticking to a schedule helps too. Listening to music can help significantly and TAKE BREAKS when you need to. Overdoing things is our nemesis. Warm Regards, Dr. Simone
A dr once told me, to vacum in rows, not back and forth and back and forth, she said when your husband mows the grass, he goes down to one end and turns and comes up the other, put the vacum handle near your torso, using both hands. This helped me, besides going around furniture!
This is right up my alley! I actually have a youtube channel dedicated to people with Fibro and have a whole series of videos called Fibromyalgia Pick Me Ups! I know I do all the ones I’ve talked about myself, especially on the really rough days. Check it out if you get a chance-- some of my favorite pick me ups are my dogs, games, cheerful colors, doing creative things, hot baths, and having a “happiness drawer”.
https://www.youtube.com/user/FibroFancyNancy
My tip is KIDS…lol. But that takes years to develop. Lol. Just kidding even tho they are my life saver. I do think that we need schedules. And keeping it simple and easy and small. One job a day spread over a week. Being flexible is also key. Knowing what we can and can’t do and being willing to say no because our body just can’t handle it that day. Love the tip of sharing work with a fibro buddy!!!
hi.. when my husband and i cook we try to make enough to have some leftovers for another day!!!
HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS
suzie
Irobot helps me out daily, she is very flexible and her battery last much longer than mine. I’m not sure what I would do without her
Well , Beautiful Ladies, I am still actively working as a freelancer make up artist for Estee Lauder I love making people feel good about themselves. Yesterday I had 15 ladies that sat in my chair 5 of them suffer with Fibro and I made those ladies feel so beautiful they got, their.photos done. I am in bed all day hurting from being on my feet from, 11-8 and a hour each way for travel. It was worth it thou.
Hello,
This has been a great discussion, already some really good ideas. Auburnm and Quietlight, do move things arround in the house when I go in that direction. often in stages. Also try to cook extra and freeze it. A lot of recipes are for four, so just save half. Looking forward to hearing more tips!
Take care, Anne
Thank you, All. Such creativity in our community. Fibro buddies, irobots, KIDS… Love it!
Hugs,
Laurie
I know this sounds silly but one of the first things I did to cut down on work was I stopped folding my underwear. They are kept in a basket on my closet shelf. It saves me time each week and I don't care if they are not folded and stacked neatly, they are only underwear. I also only use one set of sheets for my bed. I wash then and turn around and put them back on the bed so I am WANT to do.
I loved reading everyone suggestions and if anyone figures out how to get their dogs to pick up around the house I want to hear about it.
Jewelbird I can't wait to check out your you tube channel.
Shannell I am glad you are still able to do the work you love. I miss being productive more than anything else. Were all 5 of the fibro ladies together?
Hugs to all of you
Traci
Hello one and all,
Last year I bought an artificial Christmas tree that even has lights already on it. Its easy to put up, doesn’t drop any needles, so less vacuuming I’ve learnt to embrace the quick and easy options instead of struggling with the traditional expectations of the season, and the guilt when I couldn’t manage it.
A quick and easy pudding…brioche loaf, slice it, cut the slices in to triangles and lay in a shallow oven proof dish. Spoon over ready made custard, crumble fudge over it, repeat for another layer. Bake in a hot oven for about 20 mins or depending on how brown you like it…my friends and family call it Lou’s Pud and request it frequently:)
Love the ideas and tips
Hi, everyone. This may be obvious but the first thing I had to learn was to do less cleaning in general and just lower my expectations for a perfectly clean house every time. Once I accepted the presence of a little more clutter and a little more dust in the corners I cut a lot of time out of cleaning.
When I do clean, I do several things already mentioned; I also have a great time saver for the tub/shower/sink. Mix Dawn dish soap (or generic equivalent) with white vinegar (1 part to 1 part for tough soap scum or 1 part dish soap to 2 - 4 parts vinegar for everyday cleaning), spray in your shower/toilet/sink, let sit for 10 minutes for everyday cleaning, one hour for tough soap scum, and then just wipe away with a wet cloth. It literally wipes away in one stroke. No scrubbing required! You can even spray it a bit before taking a shower and use the water and a cloth to wipe it away while you clean yourself! Hope this helps.
I am loving all the tips you amazing people are sharing. I personally like to use technology to help me. I do almost all my xmas shopping on line and have it delivered to my house. Even shops that are in my city, I order on line, it saves me travel time, lots of energy and my sanity in not having to deal with crowds of people. I think we with fibro are more sensitive to all the busy chaotic energy. I also pace myself with activities. I put the tree up one day and then the next day we did the decorations, too much if I did it all at once. Same with baking we do bits at a time and freeze. For Xmas dinner I have everyone bringing something to share with the meal, and the food I will cook are all easy foods. I will also set the table a few days ahead, once again pacing myself. I intend to enjoy the time with family and friends, and I can only do that if I am gentle with myself.
I love the idea of washing down the tub and shower when you are in it. Brilliant, I am going to start that one today.
OK, since nobody mentioned it: pay bills online. In fact, set anything you can on autopay. It helps! Anything on my to-do list might be forgotten. I have had so many late charges from not being able to remember all the bills. Then all the pink notices stress me out and I end up getting late fees, exhausted, in pain, and even more forgetful!
Also, when dishes go in the sink everyone must fill (if stuck on) or at least swish with water. When it's time to do them or put them in the dishwasher it's much quicker and easier.
I have heard to set a timer and only spend 15 minutes in a room cleaning it. I have yet to do it, but I understand it saves a lot of energy not doing it all. Do another 15 later or the next day or when ever.
Liz
I don't have any tips right now but wow what a great idea! I have picked up several I can try already. Thanks girls. Hugs to everyone. See ya later. Jan
I vacuum this way too, it helps a lot. That and getting the Dyson Animal vacuum which I find to be lightweight compared to the old one we had, I just couldn’t vacuum at all with that one so it only got done when I begged my husband to do it and it wasn’t often enough. I’m so grateful to have one I can actually use now especially since we have 2 dogs!
Rev Donna said:
A dr once told me, to vacum in rows, not back and forth and back and forth, she said when your husband mows the grass, he goes down to one end and turns and comes up the other, put the vacum handle near your torso, using both hands. This helped me, besides going around furniture!
Thanks Traci! I wish I could figure out how to teach my dogs to pick up after themselves…one is so smart I’m sure he could do it If I was smart enough to know how to teach him 
Traci said:
I know this sounds silly but one of the first things I did to cut down on work was I stopped folding my underwear. They are kept in a basket on my closet shelf. It saves me time each week and I don’t care if they are not folded and stacked neatly, they are only underwear. I also only use one set of sheets for my bed. I wash then and turn around and put them back on the bed so I am WANT to do.
I loved reading everyone suggestions and if anyone figures out how to get their dogs to pick up around the house I want to hear about it.
Jewelbird I can’t wait to check out your you tube channel.
Shannell I am glad you are still able to do the work you love. I miss being productive more than anything else. Were all 5 of the fibro ladies together?
Hugs to all of you
Traci