OS ways and Poor Health

LameWolf wrote: »

Larumbelle well done on getting your life back together - I can empathise, as I also have depression (been on anti-d's for 44 years now - and no that's not finger-stutter, it is forty-four), general anxiety disorder and social phobia. And I am, like you, my own worst critic. I think you have to say "If it was my best pal, would I criticise him/her like I'm doing to myself?"
And I loathe having to ask for help.

Thanks for sharing your list; I for one think it's extremely helpful.

Thank you :-) TBH I have had so much help to get my life back together I really cannot take much of the credit :rotfl:

I am very fortunate to have received much help and support from various people and places. You hear some awful horror stories where 'the system' doesn't work but I didn't experience anything like that. I have a wonderful counsellor through a local charity, and had a support worker from Salvation Army during my homeless spell who was just amazing. Even the council and DWP were helpful, something I never expected after reading about so many people's problems with them. I have a couple of true friends who have stuck by me, and I have a closer relationship with my family now, as they finally understand that what I am going through is 'real'. I can honestly say that while being homeless was one of the worst experiences in my life, it was also one of the most positive, as it showed me that there are some good people in the world. I honestly count my blessings every day.

But of course there are also people who think, that's great, so why aren't you better already then? I try not to let that kind of ignorance bother me.

LOL my counsellor uses the 'would you think/say that about your friend?' argument all the time. So does my actual friend! But as you know, it is easy to tell yourself something that you know is rational, it is harder to feel it emotionally and actually believe it. It has taken me a long time to accept that terrible self-esteem and tendency to beat yourself up is part of the illness. I can only control it to a certain extent and if I start to hate myself for not being able to control it, I only make myself worse.

I am sorry that you have had to deal with it so long, but (sorry if this sounds clumsy, I don't know how to put it) I am glad that you have managed to get through it as long as you have. Because I know how much of a struggle every single day can be, but you have got through each one of them, so well done you :-)

Hi Guys,
We're set up a little differently here - we don't have any home delivery services so I use click and collect once a month in the city and shop locally each week. I cannot use a big trolly, just one of the wee ones, but this limits what I can purchase which is a bonus. Have looked at Amazon Pantry, but not sure if it would do us.

We have single duvets on the double bed - easier to change, and I just throw a couple of blankets over them in the colder weather if needed. In summer I use the old fashioned two sheets & a blanket - much easier to manage and cuts down on washing.
I've never been houseproud, but have a loose rotation now for covering the rooms - I can't vacuum but brush instead, and when I have visitors who offer to help I show them the vacuum cleaner :-)
My biggest problem is the garden - I try and grow a little fruit and veg, but if often gets away from me in the summer, particularly when the weather is bad and I can't get out. I'm going to try and re-arrange it over the winter to make it more productive and manageable. I have two chucks who do a bit of digging for me, which is helpful.

The other biggie for me is how long I'm going to be able to keep working, so trying hard to cut back even more to save a little for that day - doubt I'll make it to retirement.
WCS

Really handy thread. After 2-3 years of increasing pain, fatigue and concentration issues, with every test coming back clear and ever increasing amounts of medication, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and eventually too a career break from my incredibly stressful job. So we approached my 40th with me home full time and about £2.5k a month less in income ~ cue lots of OS ways.

Pacing became key to me and getting rid of anything that caused me undue stress or took too much effort. over time, I decluttered the house and broke housework into smaller chunks, sitting down to do things, or stopping doing certain tasks, e.g. ironing. Doing little and often was much more successful and I got a better sense of achievement (getting downstairs on my own some days was an achievement). Plus it was easier to keep on top of with the boom/bust cycle of doing too much and paying for it for days. I got an easy to use hoover, got a mop with built in spray to avoid carrying buckets around for cleaning.

Things like the slow cooker have been godsends. It means I can use cheaper cuts of meat, if using, and only have to prep the veg once for a few days worth of meals, if I'm feeling rubbish. I batch cook when well and freeze the leftovers, so always have a quick, tasty meal in. We bought a second freezer so could stock up for when I'm not well enough to go shopping, but also to take advantage of YS goodies, plus any gluts from our allotment.

Ill-health has changed my perspective on a lot of things and made me re-evaluate whee our money goes. On the positive side, having our allotment where I can potter, get some vit D and fresh air and grow a few things is a godsend and I took the plunge and came off all my pain meds as they were making things so much worse. Best decision I ever made.

Will be following with interest.