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How do you clean on your worst days?

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I admit I am the type that loves organization, but I get in a bad period, things get messy in 2 seconds flat.
Now I'm in a high stress period. I was semi-coping with it for a while, but today it hit me in ...let's not say the worst way, I've had harder days.... but my productivity was at like 20% of normal. So I got few work stuff(simple onces). And nothing else. The day started uninspired, but then it went worse and worse, until I found myself frozen and anxious, and everything normal took so much effort. I did the work stuff that was urgent. All else kept being pushed forward. And forward. I struggled with some dark thoughts. I spend way too much time either doing nothing, or taking a long time doing super small things that normally would take in times less. More dark throughts, even when I pushed myself out of it(distractions, going outside for a bit...). And we get to now... Like I literally got in the shower and did not have the energy to wash my hair and have to dry it after. I just sat under burning hot water and I couldn't move.

How do I clean on such days? There are hard days ahead, I need to deal with some stuff, and I hate that meanwhile, my home is never feeling ready for guests. And then I avoid seeing some people that were meant to come to my place. And of course whenever my home is spotless it's a lot better for my own sake, I definitely appreciate it.

But today, I just literally couldn't move. Like making sandwich for dinner now feels like too much energy.
I really broke down today. I don't know how I got to this, but ended up making braindump of all I could do tomorrow to improve the situation, having to reschedule 1 meeting for tomorrow morning and maybe one on Saturday to lighten my load, cause I just can't. Like, I couldn't wash my hair and now the energy to make myself simple sandwich for dinner feels like great effort.. So over it. Sorry for the rant.

If anyone has advice on managing cleaning it will greatly help.
Also, I have history with sciatica back pain so extreme physical effort in one time is not good idea.... hence why I need to do the daily cleaning to keep stuff in control.
Sorry everyone.
Long day.
 
I admit I am the type that loves organization, but I get in a bad period, things get messy in 2 seconds flat.
Now I'm in a high stress period. I was semi-coping with it for a while, but today it hit me in ...let's not say the worst way, I've had harder days.... but my productivity was at like 20% of normal. So I got few work stuff(simple onces). And nothing else. The day started uninspired, but then it went worse and worse, until I found myself frozen and anxious, and everything normal took so much effort. I did the work stuff that was urgent. All else kept being pushed forward. And forward. I struggled with some dark thoughts. I spend way too much time either doing nothing, or taking a long time doing super small things that normally would take in times less. More dark throughts, even when I pushed myself out of it(distractions, going outside for a bit...). And we get to now... Like I literally got in the shower and did not have the energy to wash my hair and have to dry it after. I just sat under burning hot water and I couldn't move.

How do I clean on such days? There are hard days ahead, I need to deal with some stuff, and I hate that meanwhile, my home is never feeling ready for guests. And then I avoid seeing some people that were meant to come to my place. And of course whenever my home is spotless it's a lot better for my own sake, I definitely appreciate it.

But today, I just literally couldn't move. Like making sandwich for dinner now feels like too much energy.
I really broke down today. I don't know how I got to this, but ended up making braindump of all I could do tomorrow to improve the situation, having to reschedule 1 meeting for tomorrow morning and maybe one on Saturday to lighten my load, cause I just can't. Like, I couldn't wash my hair and now the energy to make myself simple sandwich for dinner feels like great effort.. So over it. Sorry for the rant.

If anyone has advice on managing cleaning it will greatly help.
Also, I have history with sciatica back pain so extreme physical effort in one time is not good idea.... hence why I need to do the daily cleaning to keep stuff in control.
Sorry everyone.
Long day.
For me, I have to make sure that I'm "able" to do things around the house. When I wasn't eating regularly, I became anemic....it's easy to do if you aren't getting enough iron via protein or vitamins. All of those impact memory and mood, too. Not having a balanced diet can cause brain fog as bad as PTSD symptoms. So, taking vitamins (I like chewable Flinstones with Iron, daily sublingual B12, B-Complex on alternate B12 days, and SlowFE Iron every other day. Lack of dietary protein (women need 50+ grams a day) or lack of B vitamins or low iron all can impair you neurologically. So, are you eating okay?

I think I have figured a lot of "work arounds" for those days that I'm just not with the program. I make lists every day-and my lists are in a linear order of priority and time during the day. So meds and breakfast are first in the day, and must do things that can have negative consequences-as are all meals.
Then I organize the things in a realistic order for the day and put them on the list, working them around meal times....I use the notes app on my phone which has a checklist, and the check them off as I go.....which does help motivate me to get the next thing done on the list. After the must do things are taken care of I take a break with something pleasurable to do.....my easy go to one online game of canasta....or spades....sometimes it has been a comedy show or a light show....nothing dark, spooky or potentially triggering. It's about a 45 min break. Taking planned breaks is the way I get through the things I really need to do-it's like a rest/reward. So I break the day into 6 sections on my list to make it manageable, morning, lunchtime, afternoon, dinner time, and evening/evening reward. That also makes sure I don't miss meals.....and I end up in bed at a good time, to relax for 2-3 hrs before going to sleep. I take no naps.....that's a pitfall for me. I use the word "don't" in my language rather than "can't".....I don't take naps, I don't climb into bed before 8, or I don't have time.....don't makes me own it as my decision. I can't .....denotes something denied......or out of my control. I don't denotes a decision or personal rule. It really makes a difference for me in setting my own personal limits and things I need to get done, and even with dieting.....I don't keeps me on a diet longer than using I can't when thinking about acceptable foods. I don't eat chocolate....I don't lay in bed.....I don't go without food.....I don't listen to people's bullshit......that change in thinking has made a world of difference in how I follow-through.

So for me, the kitchen above all other places has been my nemesis. Name your nemesis......start with the worst room in your house and create work arounds.
I hate to do dishes. The behavior doesn't need analyzing-but it does need a work around if I don't want bugs.....but since I hate doing dishes, I need to be in the kitchen less, make less of a mess, and still get what I need from a kitchen-which is healthy meals. So, I use paper plates and bowls, a thermal cup for my tea. I make 2-64oz bottles of tea at the same time instead of a cup of tea at a time. Less mess, less time in the kitchen spent messing it up. I also often use an Instapot-which cooks several things in one pot but more and much faster on pressure cook than a crockpot (I can sautee meat in it, and throw vegetables in it, and broth, set it on 1 min. to pressure cook, and it's done in an hour. It does all kinds of recipes and does the ones that cook all day.....just as well.....but there is only one stainless steel pot to clean and it does a nice job in the dishwasher. It's also super simple to operate. Then I freeze leftovers in aluminum or glass containers to pull out and throw in the oven to heat up when I just don't feel like cooking. I can eat my food out of the metal containers or put them on a real plate (I do that when I have company). Drawback-paper plates generate more trash. Pros to paper plates....I load the dishes once a week and run them.....less time in the kitchen.

If I want something quick, I have quick freezer meals or I buy foods like shrimp, that can be cooked right in the microwave for about2 min from raw....on a paper plate with a paper towel in the bottom. So, setting a day where I make like 3 freezer meals when I'm feeling energetic gets me through those times when I'm not feeling energetic. Having a variety of things to choose from that are homemade, healthy and appealing to my tastebuds is a feel-good; which keeps my blood sugar in check-and low blood sugar can lead to mood issues, lethargy, and irritability.

I like breakfast when someone else cooks it for me. I dislike breakfast time when I cook. For breakfast, I drink a chocolate Premier Protein shake with about 3/4 milk added (they are lactose free if that's a need but I'm not) and have 30 grams of protein to start the day. Starting the day with a lot of protein helps if later in the day, if I'm not feeling like eating much. Breakfast, by far, is the hardest meal for me and the high protein shakes insure I get enough protein, iron, and added milk....calcium to start the day-and it's easy....pour and drink....goes in the car.....and no excuse to miss breakfast.

I rinse the few dishes I have....and place them in the dishwasher which takes 5 min. if I'm regular about it. When I'm not regular about it, it takes me 30 min to clean up my mess. So, my goal is to keep my sink clean. I really get the too tired to wash my hair.....and there is something about the bathroom that I avoid, too. But leaning my head over the kitchen sink when I'm exhausted is a work-around, and it doesn't take long, nor require a full shower, and the sink edge holds my ass up, LOL.
So, if all you can do is shower, don't feel bad....put it on your list do do your hair the next day in the sink.....

I also found moving begets moving....and not moving just makes it harder, so I do some kind of physical exercise, and check it off, even if it is walking to the mailbox or X number of steps. Exercise is up there with healthy eating because it increases endorphins.....and walking to music I love when I have headphones is a good distraction.

I save mundane organizing tasks like cleaning a drawer, folding towels and laundry, and organizational tasks like putting pills in a pillbox for evening time.....when I have less energy and I'm winding down for the day. They are relaxing, and sometimes very positive because I accomplish something without much effort-and when I pair with a comedy show-I don't feel like I'm doing housework. So if all you do is make sure your body has the calories to get the things done, and you insure your body has oxygen rich blood, and your muscles aren't out of shape by laying around all the time, and you come up with work-arounds that fit your lifestyle and pallet.....it's okay. Also, I keep 5lb weights by my bed and lift them while watching TV......it's considered exercise and will get a check on your list. I rely on the list.....because I can look back and see progress from last year's lists, and the list is motivating when I accomplish what I set out to do, and validating that I can do those things if I try.

Good luck....I totally get the so tired feeling....but I learned if I let the important things go (meds, vitamins/protein, eating 3 healthy meals, basic self care, and daily exercise ......things aren't nearly as close to being the best they could be. So if you could make a "don't rule" rather than saying what you can't do when you feel this way, what might it be.....what could you tell yourself using the word "don't" to help motivate yourself so you'd be more likely to follow through to help you get things done and organized and stay healthy? One of my favorites is.....I don't make a mess when I don't have the energy to clean it up. Now you try...... ;)
 
I don't clean on those days. And I have a LOT of pain, so when it's bad, I don't clean on those days, either.

I don't have a lot of guests, so it's less of an issue for me, I think. Typically when I do, I find out last minute. That ends up being the motivation for me to at least straighten up a bit, get the clutter into some order or out of the way.

Seems that the older I get, the less I care what other people think. I clean mostly for me, and if I can't, I don't.
 
I don't clean on those days. And I have a LOT of pain, so when it's bad, I don't clean on those days, either.

I don't have a lot of guests, so it's less of an issue for me, I think. Typically when I do, I find out last minute. That ends up being the motivation for me to at least straighten up a bit, get the clutter into some order or out of the way.

Seems that the older I get, the less I care what other people think. I clean mostly for me, and if I can't, I don't.
me too. I'm the same.
 
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