I've always functioned *much* more efficiently when my world around me is organized.   This is a must do for me even while living with chronic illness, although it's not quite as easy.  I work hard at using the energy I do have, in the most efficient way I can, thus making it stretch as far as possible

     This list includes (but is not limited to):
       

• I keep a couple of note pads and pens in my bedside table.
• If I'm having a bad day and am unable to get up (or just pacing myself a bit), I jot down notes as things come to mind.  This includes everything from groceries, to house chores, to things I need to tell my kids.  Everything that needs doing, gets written down.  This helps defeat  the brain fog.
• When I do get up, I do things from my notes in the most efficient order possible, reducing the amount of energy I expel walking around (ie on my way to the office to retrieve the bills so I can pay them from my bed, I stop at the pantry to check supplies and record what needs to be replenished, then stop at the laundry room to start a load of laundry, before getting to the office.  After I retrieve the bills, I head back to bed to rest before logging online to pay the bills.  
• I loosely plan out my day based on energy available to me.  If I'm in a lot of pain or extremely fatigued, then bed rest for the morning it is and hope I feel well enough in the afternoon to tackle day's chores.  If not enough in the afternoon, perhaps the evening.  If the whole day is a write-off, then everything gets pushed to the next day.
• I give myself permission to be sick and not able to complete scheduled tasks if I'm having a particularly bad day.
• I do what I can from my bed.  This includes paying bills, planning out my day or tasks *before* I use energy getting up and standing around, making calls.
• What I can't do from bed, I save for when I am able to sit at my desk.
• I prioritize everything -- must be done, would like to get done and bonus if I can get done
• On the days I'm feeling a little stronger, I cook double batches of my meal and freeze one for the days that are a total write off.  Those are the days I need top-notch nutrition (but obviously am unable to prepare any food whatsoever).
• I break tasks up into small parts.  Sometimes I accomplish all the parts, sometimes only a small part, sometimes none of it.
•  I delegate what I can.
•  Once things are in place, I try to keep them in order.  This saves energy the next day and beyond by not having to re-do something I've already spent energy doing once.  
• I actively look for ways to reduce my energy output by combining things where possible and putting practices into place which reduce the number of steps I have to take over the course of a day.  

     
      For me, organization is the key.  It saves time and energy which allows me energy for other things.    Every little bit of energy saved, helps by extending my energy envelope!

      Keeping organized so I can have

                                        Balance....despite the chaos!

​

     As I've mentioned elsewhere in this blog, before Chronic Illness came to live at my house, I thrived on details and being organized.  I was a morning person in.the.extreme.  

     Then chronic illness came knocking and while I was still those things "in my head", my body clearly had other ideas.  It felt like my body was playing a cruel joke on me -- demanding to be completely opposite of the way I was wired and operated.  This took a lot of getting used of and if honest, I still struggle with today.  I find being disorganized frustrating to say the least as it prohibits me from getting as much done as I could if things were in order.    

     The lesson I've learned from this though, there is absolutely no sense in fighting against what is.  I've made so many flares worse (more painful and longer lasting) by trying to fight against them.  Getting upset with myself and/or pushing on through is a huge mistake that took me quite some time to learn.  A temper tantrum by my body where my body clearly wins (unfortunately).  I am getting much better with this, but my old ways seem to lurk just below the surface somewhere and rear their ugly heads if I don't constantly work at keeping this in check.  

     The idea of getting my work done early in the morning thereby giving me the rest of the day was (and still is) one of the most difficult things to give up.  I had to change not only my way of thinking but also my way of doing. I still wanted to get things done early in the day, but the ole body would just not cooperate.  Frustrating.

     Both of these things have caused me much grief leaving me to feel I can't be the person I am or function the way I am wired.

      I have been struggling with this and have decided while I have had to change drastically and accept this fact, I still am who I am.  I feel part of my issues which still linger are are brought on from the constant disarray everything seems to be in.  I need to --- and can --- still incorporate some of the old me.  A compromise of chronic illness and myself 101 of sorts.  The time has come in my journey to get myself back on track as much as I am able.   I do realize (and need to remember!), I won't be able to function at the level I once did, BUT, I should be able to function at a higher organizational level than I currently am.  This starts with loosely made, basic planning and goals.  

     I've been giving this a lot of thought and have come up with some goals.  They are small steps for now, but a start nonetheless.  I've identified the following things and my goal is to plan time each day to accomplish these things.  

     They are as follows (in no particular order):

       *  Blogging
       *  Posting on Social Media (Work Related)
       *  Social Media (Personal)
       *  Personal Care
       *  Meal Planning
       *  Relaxing
       *  Paid Work
       *  Meal prep 
       *  Chores
       *  Paperwork 
       *  Miscellaneous needs that may pop up

     I really need to remember, these plans need to be loosely made.  With chronic illness, flare days happen -- not might happen, but do happen and I need to have allowances for these built in.  I need to remember to not be upset with myself on these days as stress just makes it worse.  Stress can easily turn one day of missed things into two, three or beyond.  Giving myself permission to get off schedule if necessary, is key to keeping on schedule.  I know that's difficult for many (especially healthy people) to understand, but truthfully, it is the way it works.  While missing one day puts me behind, it's not nearly as behind as I'll be if I miss days or weeks because I was stubborn and pushed on through.  (Ya...Been there, done that and have the t-shirt.)   It's certainly better to miss one day than a whole week.  If only I'd learned this point earlier on in my journey! 

     I need to plan these things according to my body's schedule.  Pain is worse in the mornings so that's the time to plan things which are less physical.  While I'd prefer to get my chores done then, I'll need to pencil them in at a more appropriate time (probably evening).

      I am looking forward to getting back on the organizational bandwagon.  It's been far too long and I'm hoping in doing so, I will feel more settled and at peace.  When we're wired for one way, it's really difficult (if not impossible) to completely change that.

       Perhaps in a future blog post, I will have a "day in the life" type of post.    I find writing it down really helps me get a feel for it.  I will keep you posted!

       Trying to stay Balanced.....        despite the chaos!