How others cope with housework

Housework is never-ending...even for the healthy. I've accepted that I won't be able to keep up like I used to, so I make a "master list of simple chores" once a week and try to cross them off as I do them. Heavy or involved cleaning and chores I didn't complete wait until I have help...or occasionally carry over to next weeks list. At least seeing chores marked off my list helps me to feel that I'm still able to do some things... feel more productive even if the list isn't a lengthy one.

I never would have believed it if it weren't me who has CFS. Seriously! Cleaning in steps and pacing yourself is the most helpful. One 'those' days where you just can't do ANYTHING, don't! If you do, you'll regret it for at least the next day or week. Having CFS changes lives and in our own way, we have to figure out what works for us. Having tips like these certainly help!

With CFS I have found it near on impossible to clean as I use to. Out of sheer desperation watching my home turn into a mess camp I came up with easy to cope with steps to cleaning. Delegating the big jobs to the kids is really important - shopping, vacuuming, mopping and yard work. May not be done to your satisfaction but it is important for the kids to do this or get in home care. My jobs are to maintain the bathrooms and toilets and the washing. In the bathroom after I have showered, I use my soiled clothes to wipe over the recess walls - which keeps the mold away. I keep a hand towel by my basin which is more for the basin than myself. I rinse the basin with fresh water after i have used it and wipe it over. At all times until I can manage a deep clean - my bathrooms remain neat and fresh. The laundry is put on at night so that the kids can hang it up for me. I take down what I can manage during the day and process and put away. When I can cook meals - I cook extra and freeze.

I have two sets of bedding. When the dirty set comes off, it goes in the wash. Then instead of folding the sheets (way too hard on my shoulders!) they go in a wicker basket near the bed for the next week. Skipping the linen closet just makes the job easier.

There's another (free) site out there that has a 'program' written primarily for struggling perfectionists, busy parents, and pack rats - but the basic principle works for us as well. Using a small amount of time to focus on a specific task can accomplish more than you think. And getting in the habit of doing things like giving the sink a quick wipe or the toilet a quick swish daily can maintain the cleanliness without it needing to take a lot of time, energy or elbow grease. (Things we're usually lacking.)

The site advises setting a timer for 15 minutes and focusing on one task or one area without multitasking. I adjust that time to fit how I'm feeling that day. The site also has a community forum - and there is a sub-forum for people like us for tips, successes and frustrations. I don't know if urls are allowed but searching for 'flylady' will work. It's free and it's a godsend if you are the type who has trouble finishing a chore as it helps to shift your mindset.

If you wrote this, please contact me so that I can attribute it to you. Thanks. Love it.

Blessings, Glenys

"Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety". Proverbs 11:14