I can relate except I feel like I don't even start anything. My tasks are very short-lived because of my CFS. I feel like such a failure and a lazy bumm! My apartment is so dusty! I get so upset at myself and feel like people think I am just a lazy slob.

I can totally relate to how you feel. In my mind I want to do so many things but the pain doesn't allow me too. It is so frustrating. It is like my mind wants to but my body is not cooperating. I do not have the answers but I wanted you to know that you are not alone. I do not think that it makes you a waste. Try again tomorrow. Do 1 thing and then the next day try to do 1 thing again. Take it slow and if you cannot do something then it is not your fault. As long as you keep trying. That is what matters. Hang in there. Don't give up.

Hi Strawberryshortcake (my favourite show as a kid, awesome name!),

I can totally relate - I feel like this everyday! But you are not a waste! You are a courageous tiger who is going through something that no one should have to!

In terms of wanting to do stuff, yup I always want to do more than I actually can. Sometimes I am lucky and I'll get a day of some energy and low pain but will end up pushing myself too hard and paying for it several days after. I guess the biggest thing that's helped me is to try to do 1 thing everyday - for me it's unloading and loading the dishwasher. Maybe it sounds silly but I feel a sort of accomplishment if I get it done. And the days I can't, Hubby knows I must not be feeling well and does it for me. Don't be afraid to ask for help and pace yourself as best you can. That's all we can do.

Good luck and hang in there!

Ugh, yes that is exactly how I feel much of the time, a total waste of space and a lazy bump on a log. I have so many things that I want to do yet so few of the actually get done! I like crafting and make jewelry and I have a lovely stock of beads and craft supplies and I can't use any of them because I'm too exhausted or my mind won't focus or the pain won't allow me to sit or too long or use my hands sufficiently. Well that was a run-on sentence lol! Sorry. :p Was about to go off on a tangent! I also love writing and I have tons of journals but I don't have the mental focus or the energy to write much of anything. I feel so useless much of the time and a total waste of space on this Earth. It's awful to feel this way and to be like this. :(

I can so relate, I have so much going on and so many things to get done and it takes all I have to do what I do, I hate this so bad, I have myself and 4 others in the house, if I try and do more I just end up in the bed or in my chair..its so frustrating, I just keep hoping it will get better and I try not to worry, I feel so bad about myself and feeling useless...
fibro is a beast.

I know exactly how you feel. I have a real problem with depression because of all my pain issues (even though I take an anti-depressant) and it's hard to get the energy mentally and physically to get anything accomplished.

I break up my daily tasks into little 15 or 20 minute segments and thats the only way I can get anything done. A while back, someone on this board recommended the Fly Lady website and I've been following that. Who knew I would feel such a sense of accomplishment from just vacuuming the floors?

Take care.

I am with you! We all have the same thing in common, wanting to achieve more than we can. This is the single thing that gets me down especially as I have 2 small children.

Next - not getting things done does not mean you are lazy - you are not measuring like for like. I am sure that you do what you can with the limited energy you have and that is all anyone should expect, all too often it is us that jusdge ourselves harshly. This is the key, to set realistic goals for very short periods of time and stop BEFORE we get tired.

I agree with everyone, try to pace yourself otherwise you will end up in bed for a week. A good way to do this as LyndJ55 says is log on to Flylady, she has turned my house around in just over a year. We have 7 areas downstairs and they were all covered in stuff that was multiplying and grinding me down. Flylady encourages you to let go of clutter and bless others with your stuff ou don't need because you cant clean clutter! I could never have anyone but best friends over - CHAOS (cant have anyone over!). I followed her 30 day program 5 mins at a time and felt like I was making progress for the first time.

I don't do the deep clean, only the daily challenges and then not all only what I can do within the limits of the 5 timer. The best thing is she encourages you and gives you lots of praise and so do others on the forum, who would have thought they would congratulate dusting? I shall never forget one of her mottos even housework done badly is OK! (better than no housework).

If you like feel free to PM me when you have gotten something done, then I can buddy up with you and we can share our achievements no matter how small, even if I put the cereal packet back I value it! you will often find me on the flylady 3s list where you list just 3 things however small and then report back for more motivation!

Finally, have you ever thought of a "not to do list! rather than a to do list LOL! One thing on mine is not to stress about the mess.

Of course I do - but I still have it on my list.
Sending lots of love to you I know what you are saying and how it can get you down. Please take heart that you are not alone try flylady you may be surprised (she is also on you tube) x

I only have a few good hours in a day and even then I feel like I need to lay down every 15 minutes. That makes it really hard to do anything.

Every day I make a list of things to do. If I get one of them done I'm happy but then I stress about all the things I couldn't do that still need to be done.

You are not alone!

I try to be grateful for whatever I do get done as opposed to focusing on all the stuff still waiting for attention. I find that approach makes it easier to live with this infernal illness. As long as I keep trying that is what counts. Take care.

Right on, Fantod. I have to look at what I did do each day :) These are normal feelings for sure.

I can totally relate to this as well. I do accomplish a good bit at work but my home is very neglected. It bothers me quite a lot. I most definitely live with chaos (can't have anyone over syndrome). Another thing that I neglect is my appearance. I don't wear make-up or jewelry, I don't fuss with my hair or worry about having cute trendy clothes and shoes, I don't even bother with wearing any perfume like I once did. I've settled for just having clean clothes, comfortable shoes, my hair combed, deodorant applied and my teeth brushed. That takes up all I have in me and can't worry about any cuteness happening anymore. It just seems to not matter anymore. Sad but that's what being in pain does to us! I remember a time not so long ago that I felt pride in my homes appearance and I thought I was somewhat cute...now, not so much! :-(


Take Care, Dawn

Even if I clean just a little though I don't have anything to show for it because its not like a home makeover.

Strawberryshortcake, I feel for you, I found that I can manage better if I
do one corner of a room or a foot of counter space in the kitchen, Clear the clutter by putting it all in a laundry basket to be taken to their right place later. Then I clean the empty space. Then later I try to put things from the basket away.

Then the next day if I am up to it I do the space next to the clear space I don't put anything in the clear space or let anyone else! I just keep going like this day after day.
One person cleared a whole room by taking 2 items out per day (OK it took a year but still did it).

A home makeover like on TV is only achieved by many people cleaning all at once, so you can be a bit hard on yourself if it is just you doing the work. Try taking baby steps and rest often.
If you can get help ask for it or pay a cleaner (I have a lady once a week for 2 hours and she does the kitchen and dining room and bathrooms), she is worth every penny.

Have faith, just do some each day - even housework done badly is good!!! Don't overdo it set your timer!

I wish you could see my messy upstairs and inside the garage you would think I'd been burgled it is so bad! I keep on with downstairs though and believe that one day I will get to the bedrooms!

There are days when I can just about manage to throw a tea towel over the dishes in the sink and hide them - so you are not alone.

Big hugs x

Oh yes.. I used to be a neat freak.. and I mean cleaning all day long.. but now.. i am lucky to do my dishes and maybe do some dusting..

makes me sick to have to walk by dirt.... then I just end up crying for a while.. sigh.. so yes I can relate.. :)

I am with you ,Unless I rest in the am and afternoon, if not I am sleeping through supper. Sometimes it's meds but other times I am just exhausted. My Reg md says there is nothing we can do , but the pharmacist says there are meds that will help.I have not heard of any , would sure be interested in them. isabee