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A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Canton, GA

I'm curious how any of you keep your house clean? I just can't seem to do too much at a time..I just dusted 2 pieces of furniture and folded a small load of clothes and I'm exhausted. I can remember when I could clean all day.

November 3, 2016
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Answer Summary

Members opened up about the deeply personal struggle of maintaining a clean home while living with chronic illness, acknowledging the grief of... Read more

Members opened up about the deeply personal struggle of maintaining a clean home while living with chronic illness, acknowledging the grief of no longer being able to clean like they once could. Many members shared practical strategies that have helped them adapt, including breaking tasks into smaller chunks (cleaning one room per day, setting 15-minute timers, doing one or two chores daily), using lightweight tools like stick vacuums and microfiber cloths that don't require chemicals, sitting down while folding laundry or doing dishes, and enlisting help from supportive spouses, family members, or professional cleaners. A recurring theme was the emotional journey of letting go of perfectionism and learning to give themselves grace, with members encouraging one another to accept that a spotless house is less important than managing their health and that doing what they can when they can is enough.

A MyFibroTeam Member

I use natural cleaners because smells trigger me really bad! I try to do 1 or 2 jobs a day. I'm currently working with an occupational therapist to learn to pace myself! I'm now pretty good at doing one task then have a rest then another task before resting again (instead of pushing myself to do it all and then rest all afternoon!). However she has just got me to think about breaking tasks down even smaller, yes the job may take longer but will hopefully stop flares so In the long run I can do more. For instance the dishes... (i find it hard standing to do them some days) instead of doing them all at once do half of them ( or a quarter of them) and then have a break before doing the rest.
And for things like vacuuming do one room a day rather than all the vacuuming in one day. Cleaning the shower can be broken down into 4...like cleaning one side every 2nd day, makes it more manageable than doing the whole shower and hopefully will prevent over doing it and causing flares.

November 3, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

I just do what I can and when I can. That's all that can be expected of people with chronic illness. I often pray for strength and can do more after that. I can also do more when I'm alone in the house. I have always enjoyed housework but there are things I just can no longer do like scrubbing tubs until they shine. I now just disinfect and wipe.

November 3, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member,
I work a full time job so I seldom have any energy to clean my home. It used to depress me and then I discovered a web site called FlyLady.com. I got some useful ideas to help me clean my home. One tip I use is to set a timer for 15 minutes. Then whatever I am going to clean I begin and when my timer goes off I am done for the day. If I feel like doing more then I can.

I also sit down with my calendar and put 1 task per day on it. Then if I feel up to it I do that one thing and I'm done till the next day.

November 3, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

Just accept that you can't do as much. Accept that having a spotless house is not the most important thing in life and we have to give ourselves a break. Having said that, I do have a very supportive husband who will just start dinner as soon as he gets home from work without even commenting on why I haven't started it. I sit down to fold laundry, no more standing as my feet hurt so much. Opening containers is the worst for me as my fingers hurt when I press them. Some days are better and I try to do more things then, but have to also guard against doing too much and paying for it the next day.

November 3, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

I have like the worst OCD .... I will literally kill myself cleaning half the house before taking a quick power nap and doing no more that day, I have one washing basket for everyone's clothes so im not hunting in rooms, beds are made while the morning drugs are kicking in and before I'm even awake .. The washing basket stats where the washing is... Husband does the dishwasher before I get up I just fill it through the day ... Sofa is plumped by the kids jumping on the cushions on the floor then I put them back ... It's a team effort xxx

November 3, 2016

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