The Ultimate Guide to Getting Things Done with Chronic Illness

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” – Bob Marley

I had big dreams for 2018. After focusing mostly on my family last year, now was the time to grow this website, write another book and work on some important personal goals. Life, however, had other plans.

The cold and flu season has hit our home hard this winter. It’s never fun having to take care of sick kids and spouses, especially not for weeks on end. But add a history of chronic illness, serious sleep deprivation and other important responsibilities to the mix, and you have the recipe for a body crash in the making.

These past two months reminded me again how much I (have to) rely on energy-conserving strategies to get things done no matter how good or bad I feel. After all, there are only so much tasks you can drop, delegate or defer.

I’ve written a lot over the years about ‘hacks’ that make life with chronic illness a little easier, from planning and pacing to ‘minimalism with a backup plan’, stress-free meal planning and sheet pan dinners.

But today I’d love to hear from you.

What is your best energy-saving life hack for getting things done with chronic illness? Which tricks do you use to do your job, run a household, raise a family, have a social life and/or pursue your passions despite of the pain, fatigue and symptoms you’re experiencing?

Help me make an ultimate guide of how to get things done with chronic illness by adding your tip(s) to the list!

Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

Getting Things Done with Chronic Illness

Self-Care

• Beyond Bubble Baths: What Self-Care Means When You’re Chronically Ill
• Why Pacing Beats Push-and-Crash Cycles (And How You Can Best Manage Your Energy)
• Expert Advice: How to Overcome Obstacles to Exercising with Chronic Illness
• Functional Fitness: How to Train for Everyday Life
• Why You Should Get Your Daily Nature Fix (Even When You’re Housebound)
• Why Entertaining Yourself When You’re Sick Isn’t a Luxury

Work, Study & Personal Development

• How to Get Through Your Workday When You Feel Exhausted
• 11 Tips for Working from Home with Chronic Illness
• A Study Guide for the Chronically Ill: 23 Proven Strategies
• 13 Spoonie-Proof Strategies to Improve Your Attention Span
• How You Can Still Pursue Your Goals and Dreams When You’re Ill

Relationships

• In Sickness and In Health: How to Keep Love Alive When You’re Chronically Ill
• 12 Date Night Ideas at Home for Spoonies
• How to Be a Good Friend Even Though You’re Chronically Ill
• Parenting with Chronic Illness: How to Take Care of Your Baby and Yourself
• 30 Ways to Entertain an Active Toddler When You’re (Chronically) Ill
• Back-to-School: 13 Energy-Saving Tips for Chronically Ill Parents

Home

• Getting Things Done with Chronic Illness: Housekeeping Hacks 101
• 12 Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Accessible 
• Less But Better: How to Make Minimalism Work When You’re Chronically Ill
• How to Effortlessly Make a Healthy Dinner When You Are Tired

Please share your best tip about getting things done with chronic illness in the comments below!