Hi I need some compassion/advice. Whenever Iâm sick (and this happens quite a lot bc I work with kids) my executive functioning immediately just leaves and so even things like picking up clothes Iâve thrown on the floor are Too Much and as a result, my room becomes a disaster area during the week or so Iâm sick. Then when I feel better, I feel worse again bc now I have this mess I need to clean.
Iâm sorry this reply is coming so late, I hope youâre feeling better now! It sounds like youâre low on âspoonsâ, which some people find helpful to describe exhaustion. It tends to be a phrase for chronic fatigue, but (as far as I know!) it also can be applied to disabilities like ours. If you havenât heard of Spoon Theory before, I think it might  help you feel a bit more valid!
When youâre ill, youâre low on energy. Things that might not usually take up that energy suddenly will. Not to mention itâs no wonder you might feel miserable, youâve just been unwell and unable to keep your space clean! Just because youâve gotten over a cold doesnât mean the stress of having been unwell for a while wonât get you down.Â
My advice would be that once you realise âoh, Iâm starting to get sick...â you try to do small things over the next few days that make your life as easy as you can for future you. This could be:
 Putting a laundry basket next to your bed so that your clothes (whether theyâre clean or not) can go straight into it (and then put out of sight until youâre ready to deal with âem)
Changing your sheets so you can be poorly in a nice-smelling bed
Leaving encouraging notes for yourself around your home
Wishing you good health! Do our followers have any more advice?