A Little At A Time

Today's going to be one of those days.  I knew that yesterday.  And Why?  Because I didn't follow my #1 rule.  "A Little At A Time".

The one thing having fibromyalgia has taught me is that pacing yourself is paramount.  For about a year now, I've kept to the "One Major" rule.  One major task a day.  Work or shopping; never both.  Any more than one, and I risk a flare.  No, "risk" is the wrong word.  That indicates there's only a chance.  "Ensure".  I ensure a flare.

So, here's the ultimate question: what made me think I could do 3 shopping trips yesterday?  In my defense, the third was unintended.  Though, if I am to be honest with myself, I was not even up to shopping at all.  I had eyed the stairs between me and my clothes with dread.  My legs burned and my shoulders were in agony by the time I got up the stairs.  Somehow, I got up the gumption to get dressed and wait downstairs for my Mom to pick me up.

But I forgot my socks so back upstairs I went.

Fortunately there was about an hour still of waiting for Mom, so I got a little rest.  I had 2 goals: grocery shopping and a run to the craft store.  Mom wanted to stop at another store to pick up some stuff for the house, and I had to admit, I wanted to go as well anyway. I got some much needed stuff for my bedroom, so it wasn't for naught.

Next stop was Michael's. This is always a doozy for me.  Every time I plan to go, I think it will be a quick run to pick up a few things.  But I can't help but look at everything when I go.  It's like a candy store.  So many bits and baubles and inspiration around every turn.  It's glorious!

Somehow, I managed to not get the very thing I went there to buy.  I don't understand how a craft store can completely run out of black embroidery floss, but they did.  Oh well, I'll buy it later.

Now for the groceries.  As we pulled in, and I reminded Mom of my handicapped placard (lifesaver!), I thought, "OK, I've walked through all the other stores, so  I can just take the scooter this time.  It's probably best."   Isn't it just my luck, there were none.

OK, I'll be dead on my feet by the end of the day, but I'll muddle through.  A third of the way through the store and I'm ready to quit.  But I really need to get some things, so I press on.  What do I find when I finally check out?  If you guessed "scooter" you were right.  Figures, right?

By this time, I'm wiped out.  Thank God for little brothers.  Andrew and Evan were a huge help getting my groceries put away.  I spent the rest of the night doing nothing. Ok, that's not true, I did get the non-perishables put away.  Even after all I'd put myself through that day, I still had the urge to DO something.  I resisted the urge to clean my room up a bit when I went to bed.

Exhausted as my day made me, I woke up early this morning.  I always know it's going to be bad when I wake up early.  It doesn't change how tired I am, I'm just awake.  So, I'm expecting the next couple of days to be rough.  I really hope I can make it to church on Sunday.

The moral of this story: It doesn't matter how much everyone else can manage in a day, never do more than you are capable of doing.  A Little at a Time.  Doing otherwise turns you into me: taking naps at 10 in the morning.  Speaking of which, I'm heading upstairs.  I need more sleep if I'm going to be up to my One Task tonight.

Hoping you all take everything A Little at a Time.  (I eagerly look forward to questions or comments about my writing.  Constructive criticism is also welcome.  Thank you to all of you who read these and learn something from them.)