In With the Positive, Out With the Negative

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Routines are great.  That is one of the things that FlyLady encourages people to have;  however, chronic fatigue and illness often seems to to be the antithesis to daily rituals. When you want to forge on ahead, life seems to be an endless cycle of malaise, rest, and pushing ourselves harder than you should.  Chronic fatigue and pain from Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and autoimmune illnesses slow you down.

One of my husband's favorite sayings is "Don't over-do."  He has seen what happens to me when I try to do too much.  The fact of the matter is I am unable to keep up the schedule I did in the past.  It took me too many years to admit that, partly because I did not understand how to work within the parameters of my illness.  It took me becoming a bedridden invalid for almost a year, before I figured out how to get stronger and pace myself better.  It also took that drop to the bottom to stop letting guilt of what I thought I should be doing go.

Not everyone reading this is at the same level of pain and fatigue.  Thirty years ago, I pushed through much of my pain and fatigue.  However, more stress and additional illnesses have taken me beyond the point that I can push myself and lead the life I did when I was younger.  FlyLady's BabySteps work for many people;  however, I admit to not being able to keep up.  I've had to learn to be flexible and work around my illness.

 It is helpful to develop your own routine:  in fact, you probably already have one.  However, I have found routines can be improved with small steps.  Decide what things work for you.  I have suggested ways to do this in previous articles.  Also, I  make suggestions on my Facebook Page, Chronic Illness and Creative Decluttering several times a week.  When I learn a new way to manage my day, I share it.  Hopefully, you will make comments, as well as sharing your ideas.  We can learn from one another.

Remember, there are not many things we use in life that are one size fits all.  I think this applies to our routines and chores as well, especially when dealing with a disability or an illness.

Finally, it takes time to make changes in your life.  Slow and sure makes a difference, even when you have a flare-up or relapse.  Habits don't change overnight, nor does clutter simply disappear.  Give yourself some positive self-talk, and throw out the negative.  It's time to find out what kind of routine works for you. 

God bless you.

Gentle Hugs,

Deborah

Bless This Mess

Jen Reynold's of Fibrotv.com wrote an  article with very practical tips and with the interview she did with me.  Hope you enjoy it.  It's called:

Bless This Mess! How To Make Cleaning Less Exhausting With Chronic Illness. (Interview with Deborah Bolton from Chronic Fatigue And Creative Decluttering Facebook Page).

Needing a House-Keeping Boost

Hello Everyone.  I went to flylady.net today for some much needed inspiration.  What a great time to do it:  it's Anti-Procrastination Day over at Marla's place.  What have you been procrastinating on? Are you ready to make some changes?

I have a boatload of stuff I need to do, but I couldn't decide what to work on first. Thank goodness for FlyLady. Going to get busy.  However, I always remember to make my list in 3's or I end up being overtired and overwhelmed.  If you have time this summer, let us know what you have accomplished.  Maybe, it is just getting a much needed break.  That is important too. Or maybe, you have had time to do something around the house you don't normally do.

In my own life, I have had a break and feel the need to get back on task.  I am starting to experience a sense of aimlessness; therefore, I went to a place I knew I would get help. FlyLady has a schedule for everyday.  I can do some of that!

Sophia does, could I?

Lately, I have been thinking about exercise -- other than cleaning or walking through a room.    Now, that I am feeling better, I would like to see if I could work myself back up to some exercise -- carefully, of course.  I want to do some of the things I miss, like walking on the beach, walking in the park, or walking my dog around the neighborhood.  I would like to ride my bicycle too.  I really miss that.

Recently, I read about how the amazing, iconic actress Sophia Loren stays in shape in an article from  Daily Mail.  Let me draw your attention to what Loren says about how she manages her morning  exercise:

"I always wake up early and jump out of bed - sometimes not wanting to, because one can always find an alibi not to exercise - and then I take a walk for an hour."

"And as I walk round the park I always think, “Maybe round the corner I am going to find something beautiful.”

"I always think positively. It is very rare that you find me in a mood that is sad or melancholic."  (Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1383736/Sophia-Loren-76-dazzles-long-legs-tribute-show.html#ixzz2YDqwpchN  Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook)              

     
Reading this made me wonder if I could "force"  myself out of that bed, dress, drink some water, and baby step myself into exercising in the morning.  What would it do for me?  

Over the past 5 years, I have gotten more and more sedentary.  Arthritis was a large contributor to that.  However, I had a hip replacement a year and a half ago; and, my knees feel better after healing from an injury.  Reading Loren's words about how she does  what she does, made me think.  Could I begin to carefully build my strength, so I could do more than I am doing now? 

In fact, I have had this in the back of my mind all along -- the exercise part. But, I'm not keen on getting out of bed very early in the morning, because I often don't sleep well.  However, if I made exercise one of my first priorities in the morning, could I do it?  Would I gain more energy?  Maybe, I would feel more relaxed and less stressed.

Years ago, I would never have questioned those things.  I did gain energy when I exercised, but that was before Chronic Fatigue Syndrome hit me.  It is admittedly a precarious balance.  However, I have already gained energy as I do more things around the house.  I have been using steps more, and building muscle in my legs.  It seems like it may be time to try to add more.  The thing, to be mindful of, is not to jump into too fast.  Baby steps are the way to start exercising.

No challenges are going forward here.  I would not dream of doing that, especially when I haven't tested this out myself.  If there is a challenge, it would be for me to say to myself:  there is no failure in trying.  And, I might have more energy if I don't wait until I am already tired.

After all, I can always take a nap.