Overstretched Mum

Working living mumming the best way I know how with 0 energy. Doodles & giggles. She/her
#spoonie #fibromyalgia #fibro #eds #ehlersdanlos #chronicfatigue

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

BLOGPOST: Why we need to let go of solutions and my spangly new website https://t.co/4J2VDrRKCI #spoonies #chronicpain #chronicillness #eds #chronicfatigue Please RT

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

4 *Edit starting at 6.30am and finishing at 11pm having the kids in between

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

1: I need to air my story.

I've been on a phased return to work (from home) after a really bad patch where I basically couldn't get out of bed for a month. Couldn't stand, sit, pain awful, zero memory, palpitations, exhaustion. Couldn't walk, drive, even thinking was too much.

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

4: since covid began I've actually felt a lot better. So I went up to full time, working shifts with my husband, often staying at 6.30 so we can both get a full day in and manage the kids. I spend my afternoons home schooling. Of course my sleep is still bad and eating isn't fab

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

11: I'm someone who ppl see as a high performer, they forget what I'm juggling on top of work.

It's important to ask how your team are and to really mean it. And to listen when they say they're struggling. To pay attention to boundaries and apologise if you cross them.

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

10: she's also said things like 'let me know how your health is, just don't give me chapter and verse'. That after explaining I'm waiting on a life altering, life limiting diagnosis. Both'll be sympathetic and tell me to manage my boundaries then ask me to take calls when I'm off

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

@EhlersAintEasy Thats great you know what works for you. What's been a barrier for you in the past? And what might help you navigate it?

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

This times a million. Thank you.

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

@EhlersAintEasy Pardon the pun but I think it's just about stretching your limits slowly wherever you're at. And being kind to yourself rather than pushing through the pain. I was in pain after each day but it was within my tolerance. What would good look like to you?

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

@SpoonieTees_ Omg this is so problematic on so many levels.

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

@EhlersAintEasy Yday I did maybe 1.5miles with both kids and carried the 2yo for about 600m. Huge for me.

I've done similar before building up after a bad period. But when my routine gets broken I do suffer badly as everything weakens again.

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

@EhlersAintEasy 3mths ago I could barely walk across the house without pain and pots. I was due to be on an intense physio and pain mgmt prog which was obv cancelled. So I started walking daily with my stick, a bit further each day. Then without my stick but shorter. 1/2

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

@bennessb Even now as I'm starting to coming out of a 6m bad phase, I feel my internalised ableism creep up and think I'm not disabled. Despite knowing I need accommodations 24/7.

[Overstretched Mum @SoOverstretched]

@bennessb I have life long condition (eds) that's only recently been diagnosed but have had phases in my life where I'm on mobility aids or house bound. It took me working around diversity and inclusion before I ever considered myself disabled. 1/2