What day is it?!
Navigating Christmas and New Year Celebrations
Hello, fellow Long Covid sufferers!
I am writing this during that strange period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Honestly, I cannot tell you what day it actually is; everything is in a blur. I guess that is true for many people, but a chronic illness just adds to the sense of disorientation.
I have had a lovely Christmas. It’s been super chill spending time with close family. We have played games, watched Christmas television and eaten far too many snacks (especially chocolate). It has also been a whirlwind of family visiting, and it has been great to catch up. I have received some really thoughtful gifts this year, you know the type that makes you realise ‘this person really gets me’.
So far, so good.
I wrote before Christmas that I had some kind of flu/cold, and it has continued throughout Christmas. That would typically be fine, but even without a cold, seasonal celebrations can be challenging to manage. My energy levels are carefully (some might say obsessively) controlled during the week.
Unable to work, I spend most of my time at home, managing my time carefully by alternating between writing/recording, housework, and resting. I don’t always get the balance right, but I am getting good at managing what little energy I have.
All that gets thrown out of the window at Christmas.
It is impossible to predict my days, let alone hours. I find myself pushing through nearly every day in order to fulfil something I really want to do. I am fortunate that I can do that for a while, but the truth is that the crash will always come sooner or later.
Right now, I am happy that I have managed to have a good Christmas, but I am waiting to see what the payback will be. Post-exertional malaise is unpredictable in its timing and severity. In the past two days, I have been exhausted, so I think it is coming.
How did you manage to traverse Christmas? It would be great to hear from you more in the comments below.
Paul.