trough? I mean through!
pollx
1 Like
The egg-timer trick can sometimes work when energy levels are low. Set the egg-timer for a short time: 10 minutes, 15 if you’re feeling enthusiastic. Then do sorting-out until the timer goes ping. Let the phone ring; leave the email unchecked; don’t be side-tracked by anything whatsoever until the timer goes ping. Then stop. Repeat as inclined/able. I find it amazing how much can be achieved in a short but undistracted spell. For me, it doesn’t work for longer stretches; I lose heart and my attention wanders and I give up. But it tends to work reliably up to 30 mins. The magic of it is that one isn’t immediately disheartened by the magnitude of the overall task.
Alison
1 Like
sounds a good idea Alison. Cheers!
pollx
2 Likes
OK have got the bit between my teeth now! MS still here but writing on here has made an enormous difference.
So I’ve had empathy, helpful ideas to role models!
What has happened? I asked for some help - and people have been helpful - and I’ve been amazed and thankful.
I’ve made more space to organise myself @ my chair - on side tables with all I need handy.
6 more boxes have gone to charity shop.
I’ve asked my family to come and help sort the place out and they have been pleased to help.
Bought a 2nd hand bookshelf unit - much needed
Plastic drawers - magic.
I’ve allowed myself to fail and not given up.
Day 1 of my list - which I thought was achievable easily with help - actually took day 1, 2 and 3 or 1a, b + c
Somehow I’ve been able to stop panicking and decided to just allow myself to rest a lot - being more chilled has meant that I’m kinder and able to be more interested in other folk too.
Thanks everyone!
Sylvia
4 Likes
Yessss - I used this for gardening - when I would just “do a little bit more” repeatedly and overdo it so much that I’d be out of commission for days. So I set the egg timer to 1/2 hour and stopped when it went ping - well usually ! [I’m a bit of a rebel at heart]. Don’t know where pinger is now! If does not turn up in next week or so, could send for a new one.
In the meantime I asked two family members to help me - humping, sorting papers, and cleaning and paid them by the hour. Side benefit for me was increase speed of sort out and a little time spent enjoying chat when I’m not knackered having been trying to sort out for “visitors”. My daughter -in-law and brother - in -law will also benefit -with money and both patently enjoyed helping and chatting also.
We’ve agreed that they do paid work for an hour and then stop. Both have chosen to stay and chat afterwards.
I’m sure that both would have come round and helped for free - but I wasn;t happy with that.
Good memories of gardening to egg timer - another goal - in sight - to get out in bungalow garden.
Cheers it’s good to see the sun!
Sylv
2 Likes
great!!!
pollx