Hi,
I’m really busy today, but I thought I would post about what I did to keep my head above water.
My place used be so messy that I couldn’t have anyone over and I lost important documents.
Here are the steps I took today to relieve stress.
- Up and made coffee.
- Checked email. (Highly dangerous, …could get sucked into a black hole of lost time. Jumped off as soon as hubby got up.)
- Made the bed.
- Made hubby’s lunch; gave him his supplements.
- Ate breakfast with husband. Checked email. (Warning could get sucked into a black hole of lost time. Set a timer for 15 minutes.)
- Got dressed to shoes.
- Walked the dog. (Always see someone I know and say, “Hi.”
- Shined the bathroom sink and swiped the base of toilet and surrounding floor. Filled the sink to soak breakfast dishes.
Now I can start my day.
P.S. I pay a lady to help me organize. She will help with the mail, bills and gives tips or assists with cleaning. This is worth more than most of the therapists I have had. I know many of you can’t afford this…but I do believe I would still pay her even if I lost my hubby’s income and was in poverty. She keeps me sane.
Naturalgal's Weblog 
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June 4, 2008 at 1:07 am
sbwrites
This is an important post. I once read (although I can’t remember where) that bipolars do much better if their lives are organized. And I know this is true for me. If I have a schedule to which I adhere, I feel much more in control of things. That doesn’t mean I’m not flexible, but if I know that every morning, I get up, make the bed, eat breakfast, take a shower, walk the dog (and yes, there is always someone to say hi to), and then write out my “to do” list, it makes for a much better day.
Susan
June 4, 2008 at 2:13 am
naturalgal
Yes, Susan,
Thanks for your comments. I am a super flexible person, so a routine helps me stay on track. I once had a psych doc try to say I was ADHD. I just laughed it off. No way did I want another diagnosis…I will just work to keep a schedule.
June 4, 2008 at 2:17 am
Bipolar Wellness Writer
If we listened to doctors, everything we do would be one disease or another. Everyone is so quick to want to pin a label on behavior that I believe the end result could be a sameness in people who are all taking medication just because of their individuality!
June 5, 2008 at 2:05 am
PJ
SO IRONIC that you posted this!! I had my first counselling session yesterday, and we were talking about stress. My homework for the week is to list things that need to be done; “Priority”, “Goals” and “Other Stuff”. I find that I am so stressed on Fridays (due to my lack of dligence during the week) that I feel like I am losing control. He said that it may seem rigid for a while, but if I stick to it, it will become a part of my life and I’ll live MUCH more stress-free!!!
June 5, 2008 at 2:07 am
Naturalgal
Hi PJ,
Yes, I have resisted systems for many years. But this does work for me.
Sounds like a good counselor.
NG
June 6, 2008 at 12:27 am
Jazz
Naturalgal–
Staying organized is one of the things that helps me, too. I have a schedule–certain chores get done on certain days…that way it’s mostly tidy and I don’t have to worry too much about scrambling if my folks decide they’d like to visit (you know, Mom with the white gloves!). I also find planning my day in my morning journal entry is a help.
Hey, I nominated you for a Flower Smeller Award…details on my blog post for today!
June 6, 2008 at 11:01 am
giannakali
Staying organized is something I’ve never mastered and my happiest time in terms of orderliness was when I did, indeed, have a housekeeper. He was the greatest part of my life when I was single.
My husband wouldn’t consider help around the house and he gets upset with me because I’m a slob. It’s worse now that I’m physically ill…
I do intend to spend more time with your beloved flylady.
I know I feel better when everything is in order. But keeping it that way is a huge challenge for me…I literally don’t notice clutter….until it gets out of control…my husband has a hard time believing this…but I really don’t.
In any case I am much tidier now that I’m married (at least compared to when I was single an DIDN”T have a housekeeper) so there has been some improvement.
June 7, 2008 at 11:16 am
naturalgal
Jazz,
I am lucky, I never worried about my mother (s) in-law.
Once my MiL came to visit and she and my FiL did some dusting and cleaning. I guess maybe I was too naive or clueless to be offended. I was grateful. But I had friends at the time who would have been insulted. They liked me and knew I was having problems with depression AND they were used to hard physical work.
Thanks for the for the Flower Smeller award.
Gainna,
Nice to “see” you. I cetianly know what you mean about not even seeing the clutter. I don’t see my own….although I do “see” my husband’s. I pay a lady to help me once a week and, for me, it is worth more than a shrink and a whole lot cheaper. AND of course I try to stay on board with the Flylady routine. My bed is now made, I am dressed and ready for the day and I have eaten my breakfast.