Hi I need some compassion/advice. Whenever I’m sick (and this happens quite a lot bc I work with kids) my executive functioning immediately just leaves and so even things like picking up clothes I’ve thrown on the floor are Too Much and as a result, my room becomes a disaster area during the week or so I’m sick. Then when I feel better, I feel worse again bc now I have this mess I need to clean.
I’m sorry this reply is coming so late, I hope you’re feeling better now! It sounds like you’re low on “spoons”, which some people find helpful to describe exhaustion. It tends to be a phrase for chronic fatigue, but (as far as I know!) it also can be applied to disabilities like ours. If you haven’t heard of Spoon Theory before, I think it might help you feel a bit more valid!
When you’re ill, you’re low on energy. Things that might not usually take up that energy suddenly will. Not to mention it’s no wonder you might feel miserable, you’ve just been unwell and unable to keep your space clean! Just because you’ve gotten over a cold doesn’t mean the stress of having been unwell for a while won’t get you down.
My advice would be that once you realise “oh, I’m starting to get sick...” you try to do small things over the next few days that make your life as easy as you can for future you. This could be:
Putting a laundry basket next to your bed so that your clothes (whether they’re clean or not) can go straight into it (and then put out of sight until you’re ready to deal with ‘em)
Changing your sheets so you can be poorly in a nice-smelling bed
Leaving encouraging notes for yourself around your home
Wishing you good health! Do our followers have any more advice?