Can you help me?

[educatingarti]

I am struggling a bit. I am extremely overtired. I have to do about another 2 hours work at least today ( I work partly from home). I would also like to get some housework done. I need to write a few more Christmas cards and wrap some more presents. I need to do more washing and ironing. Ideally I 'd like to have a clean tidy house by Monday!

I'm struggling emotionally too as well as being tired and I'm finding it really hard to do anything at all except watch junk TV or waste time on MN .

So far today I have:
done a load of washing and hung it on airer to dry
let plumber in to fix boiler (all fixed)
made myself eat breakfast and lunch
walked to bank and back ( 20 minutes!)
posted a few cards etc
I'm going to make a cup of tea and see if I can re-gather my strength.

I'm in need of gentle encouragement to keep going!

You've achieved quite a lot already!
When I am struggling with getting going/overwhelmed I write myself a 'list of three' - basically three jobs that I need to do before I do anything else. If needs be it can be 3 very short jobs. If there is a big job I will split it up into smaller chunks and disperse it amounst others.
Might be something like: 1. Write 2 Christmas cards 2. Clean kitchen floor 3. Mark 4 books (teacher!).
Quite often I find that my lists start of with things I can get done in a total of less than 20 minutes, then I am happy to write in longer lists, then finally I find myself just carrying on and I abandon writing a list.
I will write a list of three for myself to do now, before I take DS swimming (so I have less than 25 mins to get it done):

1. Bring in veg from porch
2. Empty out school bags/lunch boxes
3. Brush teeth!

I have a level system with my housework that also helps me at times like this as well. I'll come back and post about that when I have done my list and I'm back from swimming.

Cup of tea is always a great starting point!

Personally, getting a load of laundry done is always first on my to do list. Gets the laundry off floors etc. if possible hang stuff like Tshirts on hangers to dry after giving them a shake. I rarely iron tops now as drying this way leaves minimal creases.

Can you have a 20 min nap? You might focus better on your work after a bit of shut eye and work will get done faster :) it appears to be the most vital but of your list!

The rest doesn't sound like it has to be done today so I reckon feet up after work finished, then later this evening stick on a movie/ favourite tv show and iron the bare minimum.

If its Christmas movie you could also drink wine and wrap gifts while watching ( that's my tradition!) though obv not while ironing

Thank you all for your encouragements.
Since 4.30pm I have:
wasted more time on MN
made cup of tea and stacked dishwasher while kettle boiled
Collapsed in from to random rubbish telly and opened post while drinking tea
Done about 30 mins work
Put on a load of washing

zlist

I think you are right, I need to just concentrate on individual tasks. I usually just do things in 15 min bursts but that wasn't working today. But just getting the next load of washing on has been manageable.

Blue carrot - I'm aiming for the movie and ironing (min will have to be done if I want anything respectable to wear and I'm working tomorrow so respectable is needed!)

Ok - off for another cup of tea and another 30 mins work!

in front of - not in from to!

Thank you for your encouragements. I got the most urgent parts of my work done and another load of washing on the airer! Ironing hasn't happened but I will have to get up early enough to do a bit before work tomorrow!