Pacing is REALLY hard to do in the beginning. I'm newly diagnosed and I have the same issues that you do with pacing. I find it nearly impossible. I think it's part of denial/acceptance phase. Dirty dishes on the counter and in the sink makes me crazy, especially since we have a dishwasher. But I've had to just get used to the idea that they're going to be there. Period. I push myself to a certain point and then I stop. What's cleaned is clean. The rest will have to wait until after a nap or until the next day.

In your case, you may have to not volunteer to do lunch for the family. Or have everyone bring a dish. Or have someone come early and help you with things.

You did the right thing by pacing yourself. I think the hard part is realizing you just can't do everything that you used to do.

Remember, if you don't take care of you, no one else will.

Thanks for that, very true words, just wish I could make myself believe it! My heart, head and body don't seem to be agreeing at the moment. Feeling very down tonight :(

You are new to Fibromyalgia. And, the longer a chronic pain cycle continues the harder it becomes to manage it stop. Therefore, your medication has not started to work. It will take a minimum of 2 weeks or longer before you begin to notice a difference in your symptoms. My message is stop being so hard on yourself. It takes time to adjust to the diagnosis of chronic illness, never mind learn to live with it. Pacing is extremely important. Experience will tell you how to achieve it.

May I ask why your guests did not offer to help with the dishes? If they could see that you were struggling, that would have been a nice gesture. I'm sorry that you have to clean up the mess too.

Try to take a deep breath and relax. It is going to take time to figure all of this out. Dirty dishes can wait if you are too tired. They may be unsightly bug they don't kill anyone. Be good to yourself. Take care.

I'm struggling with pacing myself too. Sometimes I actually have good days where I have energy, and I try to get everything done, then, but it's a vicious cycle because then I end up hurting all the more for overdoing it.
I don't know if this is an option for you, but I started asking family and friends who understand my illness if they can do little things for me, like maybe doing my dishes some nights, or sweeping my floors occasionally (I've come to accept it's not likely they will get mopped again any time soon). I live in an apartment building for the elderly and disabled, and I have a couple of people who tell me "just call me, I'll do what I can". I've actually tested that theory a couple of times, and they have come. The hard part for me is that I'm picky about how things are done, and when others do them I get a little unnerved that they're not being done "my way". But beggars can't be choosers, and I'm getting used to it.
I hope you can find people to help you. Don't be afraid to ask, most people will want to help you, even if that's not an option for them. Pride is definitely one of the first things I've given up since I've come to realize how sick I am. I currently do home care for seniors, who often tell me one hard part of growing old is having to ask for help doing things they used to be able to do. I tell them that sometimes, no matter how old you are, you are going to need some help in life, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help.

I understand about the messy house thing, but if you do a little bit everyday, you will get just as much done and you will not be in as much pain. Do a bit and go sit down for a bit, do a bit more and go sit down for a bit.

I think pacing would be a little more realistic if I didn't have to work. I can pace if I'm at home for the day, I get that. But workdays are difficult. Sometimes by the time I have a shower and blow dry May hair I feel like I need a break and my day is just beginning! By the time I get home I'm wiped out and not in the mood for cleaning or much of anything.

Fantod - yes I am being hard on myself and I realise it is still going to be while longer before medication starts to help. I did have the offer of help with the dishes but it was Mother's Day and so I refused the help, mums are supposed to be pampered not put to work lol like ledev68 said, it's hard to swallow your pride and admit defeat.

Happyface I can totally relate. I work full time mon - Friday and my last job of the day is to mop the cafe floor. After being on my feet all day this damn near kills me. Some days I have to sit in my car for a bit before I can even drive home. When I get in all I want to do is sleep. My other half works evenings and so I have to go out again to pick her up. I try to juggle rest and a few jobs in the evening as well as being able to drive out again. Hair is a pain, I have just washed and straightened mine this evening and I am paying for it! Really need to go and get it cut, one less struggle then!

Pacing is connected to planning and sometimes we also have to rethink what we do and how we do things. It may mean more breaks or rest periods during the day and even a short nap if possible. We learn little shortcuts and compensate when necessary. An example would be, we all have periods during the day when we feel sharper mentally. That is when I do things like balance a checkbook. It takes time to figure these things out, but for right now you can try to reduce or eliminate stress. Try not to take on more than you can handle. Mmm sheperd's pie--you made me hungry!