Able To Do Anything On Your Own?

[Friday]

LOL @hodge... A duvet is essentially just a big pillowcase. You put your blankets inside of it, and button them in. Whether it's a summer weight whisp, or 6 layers of surviving the winter warmth. That way only one thing to wash -the only reason we use a top and bottom sheet is to protect our blankets and our mattresses from our body oils and dirt, as they're easily washed while the blankets and mattresses aren't- and one thing to straighten in the morning. :D While some people use duvets decoratively, mine are pure pragmatism.

 

[aut555]

@Friday l love duvets. I use it by itself in the summer empty, but loading it up with the biggest comforter for cool temps is perfect. Back to basics, if you get your chore list done, do a happy dance, if you get half of it done, there is tomorrow. I fine that if l don't pressure myself to do things then l stay more upbeat. If l accomplish things, l do gloat now. In fact, l believe l am better because l can do multiple things that l couldn't do before because of ptsd was ruling my life.

 

[Ronin]

if you get half of it done, there is tomorrow.

Do a happy dance. Two, even, for defeating the beast when absolutely not in the mood for it. Requires more praise. :sneaky:

& Straight on.

 

[EmmaOwl]

First off, I want to thank everyone for some great, supportive messages! I've been away for a while but there are so many posts here, that I want to comment on - as much as I can manage. (well.. of course .. I suppose it's unlikely that I would do *more* than I can manage. Or something! Sorry I am a goof.)

 

[EmmaOwl]

I understand. I have a hard time doing things that aren't just routine. Heck even showers and teeth...

Yes... I am self-conscious about this, too - I need to go back and post something about the dental troubles - I always blame that I was born with little-to-no enamel... but I also spent about 8 months in my early 20's in a fog and can't imagine I was much concerned about keeping things up. :(
And it's still not easy. Thanks for adding this comment.

 

[EmmaOwl]

Your symptoms are totally normal because your brain is overloaded. When I first had PTSD I had the toughest time doing chores because I could not concentrate. After a while that gets a little better though.

I'm glad it has eased for you. I hope I get to "after a while" soon! I sort of drift off and forget things, sometimes, and end up doing them much later than planned - if at all. I can spend 90 minutes doing something like taking meds. (I do take lots of meds, but this is something where I am in an extremely distractable state.)

An example of this is happening right now: Last time I looked at the clock, it was 4:30.. but then all of a sudden 6:30! Where did my 2 hours go?? What have I been doing?

Time simply gets away from me. That's been happening a lot. It's not conducive to "getting things done" which I think ought to be my goal!

I don't know if that is better, or if super-slow is better. "Medium" would probably be the thing to aim for. When I'm depressed I kinda like the fast-forwarding....though I know I should not give in that way. It's not healthy, I know that much. It makes it difficult to accomplish things, which is frustrating, and leads to more depression, etc... I'm working on that part. Doing my best, as others here, too.

 

[EmmaOwl]

Because no one in their right damn mind runs into a burning house... To start a load of laundry.

EXCELLENT point! I will try to remember that one.

 

[EmmaOwl]

Is the bed somewhere you can sleep at, comfortably, without injuring yourself?

Actually...no. For several reasons - I won't get into the specifics right here. But yeah. The answer to that is no.

Laundry: Is it clean enough to not get you infection? Congrats, it's clean enough :) .

This, yes, most definitely. I chucked the "Only wear jeans once" thing a looong time ago. One thing I'm able to do is put clothes out by one of my HEPA air filters and, this might sound stupid, but it airs out any perfumes or things from outside - I started doing this on a regular basis because my allergies are terrible, but bonus, discovered that it keeps clothes in better shape. So that's one work-around that is effective for me.
Also I don't throw worn-out clothes away. I have t shirts that are literally more than 20 years old. I wear them around the house. SO comfy! And always fun to remember that my x-country team won the Blue Division Championship in 1994!

Who or what defines "simple"?

Ah! I can answer this one. Simple is being excited when my therapist gave me a Capri Sun when I needed to take my medicine during our session yesterday.
He even gave me another one for the car ride home! (My mom NEVER got me Capri Sun!! lol )

 

[Kailani]

I don't know bout anyone else but now I want a duvet. Haha. Some days are better than others!

 

[EmmaOwl]

I don't know bout anyone else but now I want a duvet. Haha. Some days are better than others!

I think duvets just *sound* cool.
Like pillow shams.

 

[EmmaOwl]

If l accomplish things, l do gloat now. In fact, l believe l am better because l can do multiple things that l couldn't do before because of ptsd was ruling my life.

I'm really inconsistent, but that IS a satisfying feeling, when you do what you've set out to do. Sounds so simple, right? Wish it were so... in fact I've got my stupid bed together! but today I was going to do laundry (which was supposed to count as exercise, too).
What have I been doing instead? Wasting my time on message boards! :D

 

[EmmaOwl]

Coloring... know how kids color? Grab the crayons. Use them all over the thing. At times at the floor. Furniture. Different kids. Ah, okay, not that. That's multiple points where the parents step in.

But kids are damned useful in re-learning creative things. They do it right: they don't overthink it.

You know, Ronin, I've been thinking about kids, and how they make everything seem fun. Why isn't it enough anymore? What happens? It's not only becoming ill that makes the difference; children have this way of absorbing their attention into one thing, and it seems that adults lose that quality at some point. "Grow out of it."

Wow, I've made some broad generalizations here! But, you get the idea.