Pacing Myself

November and December mark the general time of year when I start to overdo things. It’s the end of the year and there are just so many things to catch up on. It’s the never-ending holiday season and I’m trying to balance general life with increased social obligations, the cooler weather, and I’m sure other things that I cannot remember at the moment.

Holiday 2020 doesn’t exist this year (thank you, pandemic), but I still find myself like a chicken with her head cut off. I wonder if now, that I am back in school, I am feeling the rush of the end of the semester.

My medications seem to be puttering out right now (I’ve written about this previously), so I find that pacing myself is just as important if not more so, than in previous years.

Pacing has never been my strong suit

I generally feel worse during the colder months (I am secretly an ectotherm and hate the cold), so I have to practice the art of zen and spacing out my activities. But, now with all the added pressures, I have to especially cognizant of this.

Pacing myself has never been a strong suit. I like to do things quickly, and at the same time. Then, and only then, can I relax and enjoy leisure time.

Learning how to pace myself due to RA

Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis has different plans. Long gone are the adrenaline-infused long days and doing more than two activities a day. I realized quite quickly that my rheumatoid disease did not allow those. I took a page out of Joey’s book and learned to spread out just a few things over an entire week (if you know, you know)...

What does pacing look like?

But what does pacing look like? Is it, a la Joey, spreading out my to-do list over a longer period of time? Or, is it doing everything on the same day but allowing for some breaks in between? Or! Is it doing work for a large chunk of time, trying to get everything done then allowing myself an equally long rest period? Or, secret option...just throw out the to-do list and sleep?

What works? Is it just one option or a mixture of all four? What dictates my plan for the day?

Building in time for breaks or rest

I remember way back when my school schedule was jam-packed. I was on campus for a full eight hours, running between buildings in the short ten-minute break between classes. I usually scheduled a “lunch break” and the afternoon was the same as the morning.

Now, as part of my accommodations, I can register for classes earlier than other people so I can schedule time between classes: time to walk and time to rest. This spaces out my classes over a longer period of time which makes it feel like my day is much longer.

Unfortunately, this is the only thing that works (visa vie school). I had some study sessions right before class and I crashed in the middle of the class. I need that rest break. As much as I wish I could go-go-go, that doesn’t work. So, that option is out – even for non-school related activities.

The others seem to be dictated by my disease activity. When I am flared, that to-do list flies right out the window. When I feel okay, I can still get things done, even if the breaks are a little longer than desired.

One benefit that I've experienced

It’s funny. Tasks have due dates, right? Things are done in relation to those due dates. My RA laughs at due dates. It has been a long time since I heeded a due date. Sure, I turn in assignments or work-related projects BY the due date but never particularly on it.

The one good thing that has come from pacing myself is that I often get my work done earlier. I don’t know how I will feel any given day so I try to get any work done well before it’s “due”.

I am by no means a pro at pacing. I still find old habits die hard when I try to move through things quickly and get them done in a lump sum. But, I quickly remember that is not possible when I flare up as punishment.

How about you? Do you pace yourself or do you find getting things done and out of the way is the best way to go?