Fibro and Home Improvements
Doing laundry and the dishes are one thing, but home improvement is something completely different when it comes to Fibromyalgia. It's easy to know your limits when folding the laundry, but how about peeling off wallpaper or trying your hand at landscaping by digging holes for flower beds or apple trees?
I've often utilized the famous phrase, Roman wasn't built in a day when it comes to home improvements, and I may sound like a broken record, but it's worth repeating over and over again until you get so sick of hearing it, it becomes you mantra.
Who ever told you that you had to take down every square inch of wallpaper in your hallway that's attached to your living AND dining room in one day? Was it those Weekend Warriors over at HGTV?
Come on now! Even THEY have made mistakes that's what editing room floors are for! Look, you don't have to be a hero, just be a warrior that paces yourself and have a winning attitude. If it takes you all summer to peel one section of wallpaper-- that's fine because you are one wall closer to finishing the job. And frankly, if you ask me, who the heck would want to sweat over the summer taking on such a huge task?
Relax and take on one wall at a time and make sure you clean up by throwing out your scraps and putting away all the tools. Doing this will help in making you feel less stressed about finishing the project and also less guilty. And start the project during a month (or four) where you won't have time constraints. For instance, taking on a painting project that requires you to peel off wallpaper, prime the walls, sand, spackle, and then paint wouldn't be a good thing to try in say the month of November if you happen to be hosting Thanksgiving this year.
And if you happen to try and feel like you've failed to meet a personal deadline, know that your family doesn't care that you are in mid stream. Celebrate the fact that you are trying with them and share you colorful ideas. I bet they'll love them and maybe even offer a hand! Asking for help isn't a bad idea, by the way. No warrior goes to battle on their own. They ALWAYS have help-- remember that!
If for some reason you can't find the human help you need, look for tools that will help. Gardeners have a wide variety of tools from wheel barrels to chainsaws. Each tools will do a specific job and it's good to research what it will help you with before you take the plunge to purchase. Certain tools might not be a good choice for a Fibro sufferer to use. I've had a lot of problems holding power tools for a prolonged period of time. So I tend to opt for manual hedge trimmers as opposed to electric or gas models. I also have problems with heavy drills and saws.
When a project really calls for something heavy duty, I will ask for the help I need-- be that my husband, brother, dad, or father in-law, or even a professional. There's nothing wrong with asking for help, even if you are a home improvement diva like me. I've spent many days in the Home Improvement area at the Sears Holdings stores in New England because I was an associate and manager there for a huge chunk of my adult life.
I've sold paint to some famous TV stars, as well as Pro wrestlers (I don't mind telling you who-- just ask!) and I've also learned from some of the best trainers out there how to sharpen the blades of a garbage disposal, how to determine a paint or moisture problem, what type of lawn mower/ tractor to use depending on your lawn, which exercise equipment suits my glut obsession, and finally, why drill torque is important.
It's funny in a way to think that you'd get an education from being a sales associate, but I have to say you really do-- especially when it comes to hardware and home improvement. Ana from 50 Shades of Grey is right.
Having said all of this, have a happy summer and enjoy your home!
Stay fabulous!
Love and friendship,
Kimberley
I've often utilized the famous phrase, Roman wasn't built in a day when it comes to home improvements, and I may sound like a broken record, but it's worth repeating over and over again until you get so sick of hearing it, it becomes you mantra.
Who ever told you that you had to take down every square inch of wallpaper in your hallway that's attached to your living AND dining room in one day? Was it those Weekend Warriors over at HGTV?
Come on now! Even THEY have made mistakes that's what editing room floors are for! Look, you don't have to be a hero, just be a warrior that paces yourself and have a winning attitude. If it takes you all summer to peel one section of wallpaper-- that's fine because you are one wall closer to finishing the job. And frankly, if you ask me, who the heck would want to sweat over the summer taking on such a huge task?
Relax and take on one wall at a time and make sure you clean up by throwing out your scraps and putting away all the tools. Doing this will help in making you feel less stressed about finishing the project and also less guilty. And start the project during a month (or four) where you won't have time constraints. For instance, taking on a painting project that requires you to peel off wallpaper, prime the walls, sand, spackle, and then paint wouldn't be a good thing to try in say the month of November if you happen to be hosting Thanksgiving this year.
And if you happen to try and feel like you've failed to meet a personal deadline, know that your family doesn't care that you are in mid stream. Celebrate the fact that you are trying with them and share you colorful ideas. I bet they'll love them and maybe even offer a hand! Asking for help isn't a bad idea, by the way. No warrior goes to battle on their own. They ALWAYS have help-- remember that!
If for some reason you can't find the human help you need, look for tools that will help. Gardeners have a wide variety of tools from wheel barrels to chainsaws. Each tools will do a specific job and it's good to research what it will help you with before you take the plunge to purchase. Certain tools might not be a good choice for a Fibro sufferer to use. I've had a lot of problems holding power tools for a prolonged period of time. So I tend to opt for manual hedge trimmers as opposed to electric or gas models. I also have problems with heavy drills and saws.
When a project really calls for something heavy duty, I will ask for the help I need-- be that my husband, brother, dad, or father in-law, or even a professional. There's nothing wrong with asking for help, even if you are a home improvement diva like me. I've spent many days in the Home Improvement area at the Sears Holdings stores in New England because I was an associate and manager there for a huge chunk of my adult life.
I've sold paint to some famous TV stars, as well as Pro wrestlers (I don't mind telling you who-- just ask!) and I've also learned from some of the best trainers out there how to sharpen the blades of a garbage disposal, how to determine a paint or moisture problem, what type of lawn mower/ tractor to use depending on your lawn, which exercise equipment suits my glut obsession, and finally, why drill torque is important.
It's funny in a way to think that you'd get an education from being a sales associate, but I have to say you really do-- especially when it comes to hardware and home improvement. Ana from 50 Shades of Grey is right.
Having said all of this, have a happy summer and enjoy your home!
Stay fabulous!
Love and friendship,
Kimberley
