Hi I need some compassion/advice. Whenever Iām 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 Iāve thrown on the floor are Too Much and as a result, my room becomes a disaster area during the week or so Iām sick. Then when I feel better, I feel worse again bc now I have this mess I need to clean.
Iām sorry this reply is coming so late, I hope youāre feeling better now! It sounds like youāre low onĀ āspoonsā, 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 havenāt heard of Spoon Theory before, I think it might Ā help you feel a bit more valid!
When youāre ill, youāre low on energy. Things that might not usually take up that energy suddenly will. Not to mention itās no wonder you might feel miserable, youāve just been unwell and unable to keep your space clean! Just because youāve gotten over a cold doesnāt mean the stress of having been unwell for a while wonāt get you down.Ā
My advice would be that once you realiseĀ āoh, Iām starting to get sick...ā 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:
Ā Putting a laundry basket next to your bed so that your clothes (whether theyāre clean or not) can go straight into it (and then put out of sight until youāre ready to deal with āem)
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?