It's time for a new attitude! I need to get back to focusing on what I CAN do, instead of what I CAN'T do.
I really appreciated all of the great comments you've left on my last blog entry, about having fun. And reading all of them made me realize something. I don't think that having CFS is really my biggest problem when it comes to not having enough fun. My problem is the same as it was before I got CFS: I feel like I should always be doing something productive. So, when I have unstructured time, like on the weekends, I'm always trying to cross items off my to-do list, instead of just relaxing. I feel guilty if I'm not accomplishing something. CFS has actually helped me in this respect; I now accept that there are times when I need to just rest and do nothing. But I still have trouble relaxing if I'm feeling well. And isn't that just silly?
Baby Blues, my favorite cartoon, says it best. Maybe this is something all Moms struggle with:
So, I am recommitting myself to my goal of making time for fun each day. And, since I often don't know what to do, if I'm not working down that to-do list, here is my list of FUN things I can do:
- Take a short, easy walk, alone or with friends or family
- Play a game with my kids
- Read for fun (not just at naptime or bedtime)
- Watch a movie or a favorite TV show
- Work on a jigsaw puzzle
- Do a crossword puzzle
- Play a computer game
- Call a friend, just to chat, without a purpose
- Invite friends over for take-out or lunch or dessert
- Meet a friend for lunch
- Browse the sales racks at a favorite store, when there's nothing I need
- Sit on the deck with a book when the weather is nice
- Go out to dinner with Ken
- Play with iTunes and discover new music
- Take a short hike at a local park
So, last evening, instead of burying myself in my laptop as usual, I played games with Craig (pick-up sticks, Pay Day, and Jenga) and worked on a puzzle with Ken. And I had fun!
I know, I know. It's pretty sad that I need to make a list in order to have more fun, but it's progress for list-addicted, over-achieving me! Baby steps.
I really appreciated all of the great comments you've left on my last blog entry, about having fun. And reading all of them made me realize something. I don't think that having CFS is really my biggest problem when it comes to not having enough fun. My problem is the same as it was before I got CFS: I feel like I should always be doing something productive. So, when I have unstructured time, like on the weekends, I'm always trying to cross items off my to-do list, instead of just relaxing. I feel guilty if I'm not accomplishing something. CFS has actually helped me in this respect; I now accept that there are times when I need to just rest and do nothing. But I still have trouble relaxing if I'm feeling well. And isn't that just silly? Baby Blues, my favorite cartoon, says it best. Maybe this is something all Moms struggle with:
So, I am recommitting myself to my goal of making time for fun each day. And, since I often don't know what to do, if I'm not working down that to-do list, here is my list of FUN things I can do:
- Take a short, easy walk, alone or with friends or family
- Play a game with my kids
- Read for fun (not just at naptime or bedtime)
- Watch a movie or a favorite TV show
- Work on a jigsaw puzzle
- Do a crossword puzzle
- Play a computer game
- Call a friend, just to chat, without a purpose
- Invite friends over for take-out or lunch or dessert
- Meet a friend for lunch
- Browse the sales racks at a favorite store, when there's nothing I need
- Sit on the deck with a book when the weather is nice
- Go out to dinner with Ken
- Play with iTunes and discover new music
- Take a short hike at a local park
So, last evening, instead of burying myself in my laptop as usual, I played games with Craig (pick-up sticks, Pay Day, and Jenga) and worked on a puzzle with Ken. And I had fun!I know, I know. It's pretty sad that I need to make a list in order to have more fun, but it's progress for list-addicted, over-achieving me! Baby steps.