As we all know with CFIDS, being reliable is a thing of the past. Although many of us were always the most dedicated workers, reliable workers, and perfectionists in our fields, this disease has changed all of that. I have found myself many times committed to doing something for someone and then having to back out. Family and friends don’t always understand and they see this as you just being flaky, uncommitted, and unreliable.
As hard as it is, I have just found that it is better not to volunteer or commit to anything. I catch myself now and again getting caught up in things and I forget momentarily that I am not Superwoman, and I will take on too much.
But it doesn’t happen often and when it does, I have to let people know to always have someone else lined up to follow through just in case I can’t. It’s a hard part of life for me because I like to help others. But there are times when I can’t even help myself and it is better to know and accept that I might not be able to do things instead of trying to be everything to everyone and then hurting myself and others in the process.
Educate others so that they realize that you have to pace your life on a “wait and see” basis. Help them to realize that you cannot commit fully to anything with your illness. If they don’t understand, then you can’t worry about that either. Take care of you first.
Right on! For sure! We have to take care of ourselves. This isn’t a choice when you suffer from CFS/FMS.
Kris