Photo by Abigail Robinson ~ click for larger image
Nancy asks:
What’s been terribly troubling me this week, with the holidays
approaching and my perfectionistic parents visiting for a day, is how
do you guys get any housework done? I tried to do some today and am in
so much pain I can hardly type . . . I used to have a
cleaning lady but the price of my meds has forced me to cancel her. I
can’t take it. The clutter/??mess is driving me crazy (in addition to
the other symptoms of CFIDS). Any suggestions?
How do I take care of my house? Short answer: I don’t. I’m in exactly the same circumstance — I used to have a house cleaner, and can no longer afford it. This past year (or more) has been terrible, physically, and so the clutter and the dust — and the animal fur — grow on every surface.
[&%!!@#!! This was a long post and I’ve just lost the rest of it — I’ll come back a bit later and redo it.]
OK, here we go again . . .
I have always been a collector, and a reader, so clutter is not unusual for me; but it’s always been within bounds. Specific piles, and not on the chairs. And my house has always before been reasonably clean. Perhaps not to the satisfaction of my own perfectionist mother, but clean enough for most people.
My mother has sent me money for a one-time thorough cleaning. This is spendy, and takes a long time when the cleaner is available only one afternoon a week. But already, with it only half done, my spirits have lifted.
My suggestion, a difficult one, is to swallow your pride. I get some of my medications for free through a program offered by the company. You might ask your doctor if there is a program for your meds, or, if not, if there might be an acceptable alternative that would qualify. I am considering applying for help with my heating bill this year. I’m accepting help from friends — though asking for help is a real challenge for me.
It might help to identify what is both necessary and most difficult for you to do. For me, that is laundry, grocery shopping, emptying the dishwasher, and changing bed linens. Actually, I’ve gone months without changing the bed, so maybe that isn’t necessary. Sure is on the comfort list, though. You will notice that vacuuming, sweeping, and window washing are not on the list. That’s because I just don’t do them.
Maybe friends could help with the ‘most difficult’ items on your list. I’m still struggling with learning how to do things a little at a time — run the dishwasher even if it’s not full, and take out just a few things at once. Essentially — lower your standards.
Gack. I’m so good at giving advice I don’t follow.
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