I don't know about you but I find the holiday season very stressful. There are gifts to buy, wrap, ship, parties to plan and others to attend, cards to write and send, and in my world- finals, buyback and prep for Spring term. It really is a recipe for the perfect storm of guilt or flares.
The problem, I think, is that one one hand in order to preserve my strength and not beg for a flare, I have to prioritize. On the other side, I hate to disappoint anyone that I care about whether it's by not attending their function or by being late getting my cards/gifts out. Work is ramping up and that has to be a priority because that's what pays the mortgage and supplies the health insurance. That means that shopping, going to events and the rest all depend on how I feel after work.
The past week was the tip of the iceberg. By the time Saturday came around I was sore and tired. So, I went to work, did about 6 hours of counting and moving books (with my awesome Assistant Manager) and then came home and crashed. I was sore enough that I didn't go back on Sunday as planned. I also didn't go to a housewarming that I had very much been looking forward to or to a play that I wanted to see to support one of "my" haunt kids. Yesterday I got up at the normal time but then allowed myself to chill out until almost 1pm. Then I watched the football game, grocery shopped, roasted a chicken and veggies and planned and journaled my meals for today. After dinner I helped Jim mount the TV in the living room on a bracket he had purchased and then relaxed while he stripped the chicken and dealt with leftovers and I watched my Sunday shows (Fairy tales and zombies!) while I worked on some wands to replace the ones I have given as gifts before trying to get some sleep.
The keyword in the previous sentence was *trying*, My shoulder and elbow were hurting and I couldn't get comfortable. I would find a position, doze until it started to throb, shift a little and repeat. Not being able to fall off completely set my mind going on what all I have to do this week and that took care of that. I was in bed at 11:45 and out of bed at 2:15. I've gotten a lot done so far. My work email is caught up, my home email is almost caught up, laundry is dried, dishes are washed, lunch is packed and I am going to head into work early.
Coming up this week at work I have finals starting today which means buyback and rental returns and working open to close Monday through Thursday, a conference call I may opt out of on Tuesday, interviews for temps each day, a late lunch to take Mom and Dad to the airport (it's silly to park in Long Term Parking when I am less than 20 minutes away) and on Friday a retreat for the directors of the departments in my division of the school. Saturday I will be open for four hours as a courtesy for those last minute rental returns, then I have a Christmas party in the evening. Sunday may bring more work but if not- hopefully I can get my Christmas cards written and ready for mail and at least some of my gifts wrapped and prepped to ship. It's tiring and stressing me out just thinking about it all. Sadly- the first thing to drop off would be my party, the second shopping and Christmas cards.
The weekend following I have a trip to TN solo so I will be able to catch up a bit then but I would rather use it to just recharge. We shall see.
2 comments:
Just remember those of us that care about you also understand with chronic illness comes limitations. It is not those you care about that you will disappoint. It is yourself. Stay strong, do what you can and don't worry.
Often things get int eh way of my very best intentions. Today I was engaging in my weekly MTX hangover. When I woke up around noon I went back to bed. Then when I got up, I fell asleep again. But darn it tomorrow I get to start over, except, unless I still feel this way tomorrow.
You have to do what you can do and the great thing is that is plenty most days.
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