Chores

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Does anyone else here struggle with daily tasks? I struggle and get overwhelmed with doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, and especially groceries and grocery shopping. I just get overwhelmed with each task, have trouble following through to the end, and always take a long time due to a mix of sensory issues/overthinking/etc. I tend to pay such close attention to details that the big picture takes a very long time to complete. I end up taking all day on one task. I tried to explain this to my therapist but she hasn’t helped me.

I do my laundry, take out the garbage, buy my groceries, vacuum the bedroom carpet, wash the dishes, and change my cat's kitty litter. But cleaning every nook and cranny of the apartment and scrubbing the floors, walls and furniture is something I'd just rather not do. Also I don't get why I'd need to wash my bed sheets more than once a month unless they got visibly soiled.

I did fair to reasonable with those things before the ME/CFS hit in 2005 though my place was never going to be the cover photo on Good Housekeeping magazine, but it was also in no danger of being the cover photo on the American Landfill Operators Association magazine.

Although, even back before, there were occasional times where the amount of things which were needing attention, needing doing, felt overwhelming to the point where I shut down for the day and none of it got done that day.

Other than becoming more than 1 of myself I don't know any solution or fix for it.

I can relate to the OP. Yes, overthinking is a big problem here. I often find it hard to get started because I try to analyze and plan the whole task before starting. Each task feels overwhelming although I have improved as I got used to the tasks. I wish I could do everything more casually without feeling overwhelmed.

Grocery shopping is a mix of fun and dread. I love looking at all the things available in supermarkets, particularly food, including confectionaries. However, having to buy all that I need puts pressure on me, which isn't fun at all.

I have no other choice, regardless of how much I struggle or not, as the other choice will be more arduous, and that's something sworn. Chores, maintenance, upkeep and so on or homeless. I'll never live in a group home, hospital or assisted living facility. So, I do what I must do. I don't ask for help, nor will I accept it, as I'm pathologically self-sufficient, so I must endure and come what may.

A routine that you stick to and the pre-planning that goes along with that helps the most I've found.

I’ve realized that my issues with chores stems mainly from my parents being messy/not teaching me or making me do chores when I was younger. It’s just been stressing me out a lot lately and causing me to be overwhelmed.

Try to keep all the cleaning supplies exactly where you'll need them.
That means having doubles or triples on hand.
Then you can do really quick and easy touch-up cleaning any time you go in any room.
Every time you're in the bathroom you can wipe the counter top or clean a mirror.
Any time you are near the laundry you can wash a couple of shirts.
The worst part of cleaning is lugging stuff around, or having to do everything all at once.

I keep the motto "Be where you are".
^ Wherever I am in the house, I can do something quick to tidy up whatever's in front of me.
It's easier to do ongoing little jobs than one huge day of everything.

I have no issues with the chore as an activity itself.
No matter what sensory or even tool related obstacles involved.
I can be bored enough to just do it or told me to do it, and no problem doing it.


It's keeping the habit or any routine over any chore I'm struggling with.
It's also chores related to when and how should I do it... More so if people has preferences, and people refuses to elaborate.

I don't do well with being told to do things 'later' as opposed to 'drop everything and do this other thing now'.
And some organization related issues -- like where to find said tools. Or spending too much time finding that tool or whatever needed instead of the task itself.

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