Day 7: List The Little's and Tackle One

I wish I could let you into my life so you could see the difference between the capable me and the couch-dweller me. Thanks to medications and good circumstances, there are some days I am very capable (though not lately I'm afraid) during these times I do amazing things like cleaning the doors and walls (walls people, walls!), sanitizing the bathroom, wiping down all the drawer fronts in the kitchen, and other amazing things.

"Normal" people may not find these tasks too super-human, they may consider deep-cleaning an essential if not pleasant part of daily life.

For the chronic-whatever who considers going to the bathroom unassisted (other than perhaps a walker) a successful task completed, deep cleaning is deeply buried at the bottom of a long list of "May never do's". That's the reality of life for people who struggle with basic tasks. It's not a fun reality, but it is a reality that can never be truly addressed by cleaning gurus of our day who've probably never struggled to put pants on themselves a single day in their life. So, enter the little's list.

Deep cleaning when you don't move is going to be non-existent, except when help comes in. Embrace that. Embrace the space you've chosen. Embrace the choices you make to be proactive about your inactive condition. You are still beautiful, worthwhile, and needed. You can still make a difference, a little bit at a time.

So today, if you've got the dishes and laundry going we'll look into listing the little items that are on your mind and work on getting just one done.

First, some guidelines for your list. First, start and focus most on items that are in the space you've chosen. You chose this space for a reason, so honor it by giving it priority. Second, pick the most stressful item (not to do, but just the item that bugs you most) to do first, as this will have the most benefit to your perception of your home. Finally, no item should take longer than 5 minutes, so break them down as needed.

Here is my list based on my priorities:

• wipe down front door
• wipe down bathroom door
• quick-dust shelves and piano top
• tidy  linen closet floor

A few comments on this list. My first priorities were wiping down doors. This is due entirely to the mass of sticky fingerprints that has literally made the doors look dirty from doorknob down to floor. If you don't have a small child around, these items don't make as much sense. 

Notice how short my list is. I like to keep it to 5 items or less to keep it more manageable and to give myself a needed mental boost when the list is "DONE". More items would make it likely impossible to finish a list in a day, let alone a week. Keep your spirits up by keeping things realistic for your situation. 

Once you get this list done, take a deep breath and do the first item. Now check that sucker off! You, my chronically whatever friend have just done a bit of deep cleaning!!! Mind blown. 

See 31 Days to a Chronic Clean. 

Day 6: Assume the Pathetic Position.....Not!!!

So this morning I was a bit cold when I woke up. This led to tremors, which led to me on the ground before I even had a chance to get started. Luckily my hubby hadn't left for work, so he was able to help me up and get me a quick breakfast and meds.

Thank goodness for meds.

I'm now on the couch (I know....again). I'm not totally incapable but I'm resting and warming up so I can (hopefully) get going again in a bit.

Some days, (well, most days) I consider falling on the floor/laying helpless on the couch "The Pathetic Position". It's a way I try to lighten a serious chronic condition that isn't really funny because it's disabling. What'ya gonna do? You either laugh or cry.

The thing about feeling helpless is that it is a self-fulfilling feeling. If I decide that I am pathetic today, I will be. If I decide that I'm going to have a good, productive day despite obstacles my body gives me, I do. It's mental.

Not the weakness part. If that had an ounce of mental correlation, I would NEVER end up on a dirty, hard floor. Only freshly vacuumed carpet for me :)

However, I can have a productive mindset, no matter what my body is doing.

Enter this blog. I'm weak, I'm not able to stand, walk, run, get things like that done. Here I am, getting something else done. I'm writing for myself. I'm writing for others with struggles. I'm recording this journey of life-keeping with what I have.

This isn't the only way I am productive. Let's look at some options for when you are pathetic.

1. Work on Education

From full-on accredited university programs (here are some of the top ones in the nation) to just learning a new skill on YouTube, use time when you are weak, in pain, or otherwise out of commission to learn. I've taught myself how to crochet, knit, even enhanced my cooking skills just sitting on the couch, watching tutorials and taking notes. When you can't do what you want to do, re-asses. Maybe you can do something you've never dreamed you'd have time for!!

2. Earn Money

Yup, when you are out of commission, you can earn money. Find a job you can do from your bed. I worked for years as a remote market analyst. Although I usually sat up to a desk in my home office, on really poor days I could take my laptop to the couch or bed and be just as productive at research, RFQ writing, etc. Making a professional wage from home requires some sacrifice. You have to be really good at what you do, which takes time and hard work (and education, see above). You have to provide extra value to your team and be a go-getter. You also have to not use your condition as an excuse. Don't miss deadlines, don't slack off. Most of my coworkers didn't even know I struggled. Why? Because my work was beyond reproach- it just didn't show.

Here are some other cool ways to earn money from the couch. True, they aren't all going to earn you a professional wage, but hey, if you are going to sit around, why not get a little bit of compensation?

I run Swagbucks and Earn Honey all the time. True, I'm only making pennies per hour, but if I feel horrible, letting these apps run on my computer isn't hurting me and if I make $10 a month, I can use that to pay someone to come in and clean house for an hour. DONE!

3. Become a Better You

Meditation, scripture study, prayer, reading an inspirational book, etc. There are so many wonderful ways to improve yourself. You are more than your physical abilities. Regardless of your circumstance in life, you have the ability to choose your attitude, your response to life. Do it in glorious fashion by becoming a better person. Use physical limitations to study kindness, empathy, and other attributes that will make you a joy for others to be around because despite your difficulties you are a better person. People like people who are good, not in a stuck-up way, but in a humble, teachable, caring way good. I know I do! So when life throws you lemons in torrential rainstorm fashion, study Buddha, or yoga, or anything that teaches you the difficult task of self-discipline and self-love and rejoice in the gift of being able to become better. Here is a book to get you started: Get out of your mind and into your life.

4. Serve

When your life consists of difficulties, it is easy to focus in-ward and get depressed by what your life lacks. Consider being more deliberate and proactive and focus out-ward and you may just find that you are better able to cope with the difficulties in life. Think you can't serve with the condition you have? Think again. Here are some ideas:

Become a penpal for someone in need. Whether it's an inmate looking to make a change, a member of the armed forces, or maybe just a lonely relative or friend. Writing a note to someone takes little energy or ability, but means so much to the recipient. Bonus, it can be therapeutic to talk to someone about life! Just be sure not to add to the burden of someone already burdened.

Index names for family search. People love knowing about their ancestors. Help people around the world by reading old documents, and typing the information for use online.  It's an easy task, but you are making a difference recording the history of those who've lived before. It's also a great way to get some perspective on life and how quickly it flies by.

Those are just four out of many things that you can do, despite difficulties that are thrown at you. Being pathetic is a choice. You may be unable to do what you want with your body, but as a human being you always have control of your mind and you can decide to keep that going strong!

See 31 days to a Chronic Clean.

Day 5: Dishes & Laundry

Welcome to Day 5! You're already making so much progress and we're only a few days in.

So far, we have already chosen our space and committed ourselves to priorities that will ensure that we are working for our needs.

We've learned the importance of doing the dishes and laundry every possible day and started making this a habit, based on our condition and needs.

We've created a space puzzle to break up an overwhelming task into attainable pieces that we can work with our body's limitations to maintain.

We've even gained acceptance of bad days.

It's been a busy first few days and I'm so glad you are still here reading, working, and coping with me. Today we are going to move forward, making a habit out of something that will make your life so so much better.

Yup, it's dishes and laundry again.

Now, if you've had a good 5 days, each day you should have found a time each day to do a load of laundry and a load of dishes, hopefully having enough in you to see both through to the end, put away.

If you've had some bad days, don't let it get you down too much. Work with what you can. Right now I'm totally weak just trying to type while I lounge on the couch (yeah, some days I feel like I live here). Guess what??! I took advantage of that mildly strong window and was able to get in a load of dishes and a load of laundry. Having that done is making me feel so much better about myself, even though currently I may resemble an immobile piece of fruit rather than the strong, capable women I so want to be.

Basic tasks. Small tasks. These don't seem so cool to fully functioning people.....or maybe they do.

Here are some examples to demonstrate that these two basic tasks are really a big deal for us all, so if you get nothing else done each day....really know that you are pretty cool.

And if it doesn't happen at all.....it's ok. There is always tomorrow. Or next month. Just keep up the fight, you're doing it!

See 31 Days to a Chronic Clean.

Day 4: Create Your Space Puzzle

Remember Day 1? We chose a space, we made room for something important, most important. Today, we're going to examine that space and put together it's puzzle. This will help us break down our manageable space into even more manageable pieces.

When each day brings a new adventure and when you are unsure how much your body will let you do each day, breaking things down into small parts ensures that you can check off at least a couple items on your list, even if the overall item remains "undone". If you long for productivity, nothing feels better than crossing off a to-do item, even if it something small like, dust off the piano. (If you don't have a piano, rejoice! You can automatically cross this item off EVERY FREAKING DAY!).

So, start by listing your space. Maybe it's a single room, maybe just a couple. List it out as one space, we'll break it down from there. Here is what my start looks like (yes, I like to make things look pretty, this obviously is not required!)

Second,  think through the MAIN spaces of your space. This is like first identifying the edges of a puzzle. You are looking to define the large perimeters of your space. For me, the main large areas of my space are the kitchen, the dinning room, the living area, the hallway, the bathroom. If your space is smaller (perhaps the front step and formal living room) your main spaces may be smaller. Define them as you will, just try to keep them general and broad to begin.

Third, for each broad space you define in step two, think through how that space gets cleaned. In the kitchen for example, it becomes clean as I do the dishes, wipe off the counters, clean the sink, and sweep the floor. The steps for your broad space should be manageable and suit your home. Were I always guaranteed unlimited hours of a fully functioning body I would add a lot to my kitchen list, I'd always clean out and sanitize my fridge, I'd mop, etc. However, accepting reality is the only way for me to gain peace and contentment and it really isn't realistic to expect my body to do these tasks with any certain consistency. We'll get into asking for help and such with some of these items later, but for now just focus on what is manageable FOR YOU. Then give yourself permission to feel pride in what you are accomplishing. Here is what my space puzzle looks like after this step.

This gives me 15 small items that each on their own take less than 10 minutes. However, I realize that combine, these items may take over an hour on days when each item needs to be done. For some, that may be laughably easy and I'll confess I have days when that's doable all in one go, most days though it just isn't.

Good news- the Space Puzzle is designed to be manageable. Some of these items may only take a minute or two, others a bit longer. I like to start my mornings (after breakfast and medication) by getting the dishes done because this is a task that takes a bit of time and must be done on my feet. If I only get a few items done on my Space Puzzle on a bad day- I still feel that I have accomplished something and I start again the next day.

The point of the Space Puzzle is to take something that is overwhelming for people like me and make it within reach. Kind of like my step stool (I'm a bit short, I'm afraid). It won't do the work for you, but it will make what needs to be done attainable for you.

See 31 Days to a Chronic Clean.

Day 3: Fall in a Heap (On The Laundry, If Possible)

It is important to note that this 31 day schedule is meant to be flexible. Today is day 3, which schedule says means we fall in a heap. Unfortunately, I'm actually feeling pretty good this morning and have already accomplished quiet a bit before 9:00 AM- dishes are clean, laundry is in, even the table has been wiped clean. It's pretty epic.


That's life- good days come, and it's great when they do, so if today feels pretty good for you, feel free to skip ahead to day four and come back to day three when it works for you (or when your body says to). The point is, I wanted to build real-life scenarios into this cleaning schedule.

It's depressing to set a goal only to have your body's chronic situation dictate that you can't follow through. Don't get discouraged! Special people can work around their body, can listen to what is telling them (or shouting at them) and can accept putting a goal on hold for a day or ten. Don't let that rob you of victory. Start again where you left off and keep moving forward.

Every time you start again, you are proving that YOU are more than your situation. You are demonstrating that YOU are the one in control (ish).

So....on day 3 (whenever that is) give yourself a stamp of approval to do nothing but work through the life you have, maybe on the couch, the bed, or a heap of laundry. But if today happens to be one of those amazing days when you can do stuff, mop the floor and then call a friend to meet up for a fun activity that you never seem to be able to enjoy.

I think I might do some gardening.

See 31 Days to a Chronic Clean.

Day 2: Dishes and Laundry

After years of living with a chronic condition I have learned to embrace the fact that things around the house can't always be perfect. I have yet to accept eating off of crusty dishes or wearing clothes that reek of yesterday's body odor, and for that, I am grateful.

So.....I've learned that doing a load of dishes and a load of laundry each day is one of my first priorities. This simple habit means my family has clean dishes, clean clothes, and it keeps these tasks that can be so daunting from piling up.

Each family may be different- our family consists of 2 grown-ups and 2 kids, so doing dishes and laundry frequently is a must. If you live on your own, you may be able to get away with doing these chores once or twice a week.

The important thing to note on day 2 is that these two items are some of the most essential to basic living.

I can survive a week without making my bed and not go crazy (as a side note, me before this chronic condition would have gone crazy--it's a forced choice I've made the decision to be at peace with).

I can live through not dusting for a week (or longer- let's be real here, some days I don't do much moving).

I can even muscle through (ha!) having an untidy living area on really unfortunate weeks.

I have yet to make it a week without eating or hanging around without clothes (I get cold so easy and shivering makes my condition worse).

Priorities. Priorities.

Try making this a habit. So many chronic conditions seem to alleviate a bit right in the morning. Take this time to put in a load of dishes (assuming you have a dishwasher-otherwise hope you don't have a condition that plagues your hands and wash them traditionally) and put 1 load of clothes in the wash.

To make this easier, go to the store spend a few dollars on a several laundry baskets so you can sort clothes right when you take them off (or when you get a chance to pick up the clothes that you managed to get off yourself in bed last night when you couldn't actually stand-up any longer and sort of just "fell" asleep).

Try to set time aside to switch the laundry, fold the laundry and put it away and maybe even put away the dishes- if you are feeling particularly AWESOME.

Or recognize that some days you just can't, so you don't.

That's acceptable too. It sucks, it isn't ideal, it's not what you want, but it happens to people as brainy and footsy as you. Go read something fun and inspiring, recognize that life is full of brave people who became brave by facing undesired challenges and validate that you can be brave too. You can use paper plates or just eat a sandwich with your hands. Pretty heroic, truly.

Then, start tomorrow with goals to do what you can with the cards you've been dealt.



See 31 Days to a Chronic Clean.

Day 1: Choose Your Space

I am currently on the couch. For the chronically whatever, we often feel like our lives are lived on the couch. Some days, this is pretty true so I think today's topic is pretty relevant.

Today we are going to discuss an important part of lifekeeping that I like to call Choose Your Space.

We could get all metaphoric on this title, but since that's not productive to our goal for now, we'll just get literal on this.

To choose your space is literally making the decision of what space you choose to have. It's the literal area that you feel is within your means to take on. This platform is simultaneously about prioritizing and ignoring.

When you have a chronic condition that seems to narrow your life, choosing your space can help you more happily and proactively live in that narrow space. It's as simple as making the decision to take on only the space that you can maintain.

For me, my chosen space is my beautiful great room. This is the space where I am when I am weak, laying or sitting on the couch. It's the space where we play piano, cook our meals and entertain friends. When I chose this space I am making room for a feeling of satisfaction. When I chose this space I feel empowered to ask for help since the first thing people see is this room. Even when I am a mess, having this space maintained makes me feel more dignified, and more real and that's important for a chronic sufferer.

Though I quiet literally believe you need to chose a narrow, manageable physical space to maintain, the concept is easily applied to every area of life.

Chose a manageable space in your social life. Don't say yes to everything since this just means you are denying yourself of doing the things that are most important, and don't ask for permission to be in your life (like dirty dishes).

Chose a space in your work life.

Chose a space in your family life.

By actively choosing your space, you are (granted) excluding other spaces from your life. I wish my master bedroom was always pristine and my basement was always looking company-ready. However, in embracing my differences I have to decide to focus on what is MOST important and then tackle other items if I have a good day.

In choosing spaces, you may note that some things fall away all together. I used to love long-distance running but now content myself with walks and fun jazzercise. I used to be an avid gardener but have had to put that aside during this season. This is acceptable.

That doesn't make these losses ideal. It doesn't mean you can't grieve the life you once had or wished to have.

It does make today happier though. It makes it full of intent, and intent is just super-focused positive energy. So....choose your space and get cracking.

Or take a nap, I'm actually going to head off for my nap.

See 31 Days to a Chronic Clean.

31 Days to Chronic-Clean (How to Clean Around Chronic Conditions)

This is a series that I hope you will follow along with. I am such a sucker for Pinterest and how-to manuals. They literally are some of my favorite reads.

So, no surprise I have researched a ton of different cleaning methods. It's pretty common for them to offer up some kind of cleaning schedule- probably because type A cleaning personalities just drool over the word schedule, especially if said in a particularly proper accent that really enhances that "sche" sound.

Problem for couch-dweller-me is that these guides lack basic considerations that seem obvious for anyone who isn't fully capable of using all limbs for extended periods of time in a predictable manner.

Enter my latest series: 31 Days to Chronic-Clean.

Here is the overview, we start our 31 days tomorrow so.....get ready!!!!

Day 1: Choose your Space (Prioritize)
Day 2: Dishes and Laundry
Day 3: Fall in a Heap (on the Laundry if possible)
Day 4: Put together a Space puzzle
Day 5: Dishes and Laundry
Day 6: Assume the Pathetic Position.....Not!!
Day 7: List the Littles and Tackle 1
Day 8: Break
Day 9: Dishes and Laundry
Day 10: Evaluate the Space puzzle, then nap
Day 11: Vacuuming, Mopping, and other "Normal" Cleaning
Day 12: Enjoy the lush feeling of falling on clean surfaces
Day 13: What is "Deep Clean"?
Day 14: How to Make the Little List Work for You
Day 15: Dishes and Laundry
Day 16: Celebrate the Half-Way Mark
Day 17: Brave Enough to Get Help
Day 18: Begin Organizationish
Day 19: Minimize the burden
Day 20: Evaluate your Space Puzzle, happy dance if working, change if not
Day 21: Dishes and Laundry
Day 22:  Assume you have Medical Mayhem
Day 23: Finish Organizationish
Day 24: Fight off the Urge to Give-In Tackle 1 Little
Day 25: What About the Other Spaces?
Day 26: Dishes and Laundry
Day 27: Deep Clean 10 feet of Space, post to Instagram, then stare
Day 28: Keep staring at your Instagram image, accept your new status as SuperHero
Day 29: Dishes and Laundry
Day 30: How to keep it going
Day 31: Laugh with a friend while you can't do anything else.