The level of exhaustion I can reach is hard to explain to people. Sometimes I seem fine. I can dress up and go out into the world and function well. The adrenaline gets me through, but then I go home and collapse, and I can barely imagine doing it all again, until I do. But each time, the exhaustion gets worse and the recovery time takes longer. Other people my age have three, four, even five times the schedule I have, and they would look at my life and think I was the luckiest person in the world, with so much downtime. I know that people, even those close to me, believe that I am overstating the problem, and that when I have to work five days a week I will be able to do it. But I’m really scared that they are wrong.
The other day, I saw a performance of a tap dancing troupe called The Red Hot Mamas, made up of women from age 59 to 87, and instead of being inspired, I felt like a loser. I would fall on my head if I tried one of the dance routines they were doing, with such obvious energy and enthusiasm. I used to love my tap classes (when I was four years old), and the sound of the taps when they hit the hard floor. None of these women were breathing hard or struggling for balance, but I would have fallen off the stage in the middle of my first high kick.
I feel guilty for being unwell, without even a diagnosis to name what’s wrong with me. I feel like I’m being lazy, and melodramatic, and should just get up off my ass and join a tap dance group. And I don’t really understand why I can’t.
I am jealous of Cricket’s great joy in running, and sniffing, and playing, as if every trip outside is her first. And I am in awe of Butterfly’s stubbornness. When she thinks a task is beyond her abilities, or wishes, she just stops. She doesn’t go along just because I want her to. She says, no, I’m tired, I’ll wait for you here. When it’s raining, she says, I don’t need to walk all the way down the block just because that’s what Cricket wants to do. I’ll stand here under the awning.
“Nope, Mommy. You can’t make me do anything.”
“Superpuppy!!!!!”
I wish I could do what the dogs do and nap between every activity. But when I take a nap, I wake up disoriented and still exhausted, and they wake up ready for adventure, or at least for snacks. Cricket generously tries to share her enthusiasm with me, however misguided her methods may be (scratching my face and blocking my airway are not pleasant ways to wake me up, Cricket).
“It could be worse, Mommy. I could wake you up with my gardening toys.”
The fact is, the adrenaline that gets me through the day takes forever to leave my system, and until then I feel exhausted and hyper all at once, and constantly afraid that I won’t get my work done in time. I barely finish my school work for one week, when I’m already two days behind for the next week’s assignments. Unfortunately, working my fingers to the bone with typing, and note-taking, and revising, does not burn many calories. This is very disappointing.
I need a break. I want to read a novel. Heck, I want to write a novel. I want to bake, or go food shopping without a list. But there are all of these deadlines to meet, and expectations and obligations to live up to. I feel like someone has pushed me off a cliff, thinking I would fly, but all I can do is fall. And those crash landings really hurt.
Maybe what I need to do is to follow the dogs’ lead and cover my body with a coat of fluff, so at least the landings would be a little bit softer. That could work, or I could just cover myself with my cozy winter blanket and take a long nap with the puppies by my side, and hope that when I wake up, I’ll start to feel better.
“Sleep well, Mommy.”
Fingers and paws crossed.
rachelmankowitz 
we could all learn so much from our dogs. they just are. besides, most of us would fall flat on our faces if we tried to be a “red hot mama”, dancing or anything else.
But these ladies were incredible! I’m thinking there were some genetic experiments going on up there.
Oh, Rachel, I know exactly what you mean about being unable to verbalize the level of exhaustion! How can people understand that simply cooking a meal can be so painful and so tiring that I need to go sleep for 12 hours? We can only do what we can, Sweetie. And if people don’t understand…tough. The dogs are a completely different issue. Remy always thinks I should be up to take them outside and let them play for a few minutes…or hours.
Hours and hours. Cricket has no sympathy for me.
Henry is willing to go out when we decide to take him. He comes in when we’re done. He enjoys naps as much as I do. Remy, on the other hand, is that kid who doesn’t have an off button!
Rachel, you are a winner. Right now you are probably under a great deal of stress due to your academic studies, the holidays and the everyday activities of daily living. Keep looking up and this too shall pass. Cricket is keeping you smiling and moving. Aren’t pets great.
They are wonderful, and so are you!
Your puppy is sooooo cute!!!!!❤️❤️
Thank you!
😊
Luckily my dog is not terribly energetic and like most Boston’s totally stubborn, I’m not feeling That energetic myself so its working out. 🙂 what’s with the dancing ladies??
I used to have an English Bulldog neighbor, Rupert, and we were on exactly the same wavelength. His dads would grump at him for sitting down on his walks, while Cricket grumbled at me for slowing her down. Rupert and I would glance at each other across the sidewalks, and take comfort in not being alone.
Too sweet. English Bulkdogs are notorious for not want to go for walks. Haha!
Rupert was notorious throughout the neighborhood. The temptation to sit down on the sidewalk with him, and take a nap, was enormous!
haha, there was a couple living across from me with an English BD, Fenster, so adorable and ornery and quite lazy. Perhaps it is the huge head and jowls, just too much to drag along! 🙂
There is a whole world of readers here who hang on your every word and rejoice every time you post a new post. When you find yourself bogged down in the mundane, real world, remember who you are here. Purrs, Quicksilver et al; Woofs and Wags, Cosmo and Stella
You are so sweet and so kind. I am so lucky in my blogging community. You guys get me through everything!
My best friend has an autoimmune disease. Sometimes, the adrenalin is the only thing that helps her get out of bed in the morning, but it comes at a price, and there’s always the looming specter of adrenal fatigue. One day, it just won’t be enough.
I share that because I want you to know you’ve got a champion in me–even if we may never meet. I love reading about your life with those two beautiful canine superstars. You spread light.
That is so validating. Thank you! A few years ago, I tried to use caffeine to get me through the day, and at first it worked really well, and then my body started to break down, and refused to recover. But most people don’t understand what I’m talking about. they think if I just had more coffee, I’d be fine.
I wish you didn’t feel so poorly 😦 give the girls a hug, maybe that will help
It always helps!
🙂
I think I must be Butterfly in human form. If I don’t want to; I don’t. Rachel, there are things I used to wish I could do but now, honestly, I prefer to watch them that do and go back doing what I want to do. With your schedule, me-time has got to be your time. Cricket, are you listening? ….I didn’t think so. 😀 Take care of you.
Yeah, Cricket is not a talented, or willing, listener.
Poor, sweet Cricket.
So eloquently you have expressed what I, too, feel. I hate myself for not being able to keep up. I am afraid to push too hard because of the lengthy recovery time of a “crash”. Someone told me once that this gets better after menopause (and it does), but that is no consolation while you are still young. One day at a time. That’s all we can do. *hugs*
Thank you! Hugs help tremendously!
Upon reading this a few thoughts came to mind. I deal with many of the same issues as you do, although I’m many years older. I’m still “too young” though to be this worn-out. And like you, it’s puzzled me why so many other people older than I am (and obviously the younger ones) have so much energy and can seemingly go and go and go; do high kicks and tap and dance a guy off his feet (I watched a 76 year old friend of mine do just that..she wore her dance partner OUT).
Forgive me if I offer advice that you’ve already heard and may have tried to do something with..but
Have you had your oxygen intake checked? I found out that (apparently) I suffer from rather severe sleep apnea (I stop breathing several times a night) and my body therefore says “HEY! YOU’RE NOT BREATHING!!” and I wake up (not all the way, but I never REST fully apparently)..this lack of proper sleep lends itself to lack of energy in the daytime.
I’m diabetic. It’s not well controlled. That alone makes me more tired and with less energy than many my age and older. Apparently.
Those old ladies you saw do that tap routine and high kicks and limber stuff have undoubtedly kept up their exercise regime throughout their whole lives. Used it and therefore they never ‘lost it.’ Me? I never HAD it (well briefly when I was 18 I did, but I didn’t keep up the exercise and today? I hate exercising). So don’t be too hard on yourself that you’re not at their level of fitness…most people aren’t.
Depression and anxiety leech energy from us. I don’t know if you suffer from those, but if so, again it’s a real thing. Not imaginary or all the psychiatrists/therapists in Utah are wrong. I’ve heard it from all the ones I’ve seen.
Lastly, I’m an introvert. My personality is less people seeking and more me-time seeking … well heck you know what it means, that’s your field of study sort of, isn’t it? And I don’t know how much stock you might want to put into the following, but I think it’s true. Simply from having lived with it most of my life at least. It’s sort of new-agey..
We all have energy fields and some of us (extroverts) gain more energy from being around people. They draw off others. Introverts exude energy being around people and have to have down time to recharge their psychic batteries; introverts are the ones the extroverts are drawing from (apparently). So if you have a tendency to be introverted, that may explain your lack of energy too. And why you’re so worn out at the end of a week of classes and interacting with groups of people.
I’m no doctor or professional, all this stuff is just stuff I’ve observed happening to me and since I’m not one to accept the “this is just how it is” school of thought, I went and researched it and asked doctors lots of questions and so forth.
It would be wonderful if like dogs we could just accept our circumstances, have simple needs and simply sit down and refuse to go on when we’re too tired. Dogs are wiser than humans in my opinion. They don’t force things.
Best wishes dear for you feeling better and more rested. Stress doesn’t help things either. Nobody much any more lives without THAT in their lives, do they? Take care.
Thank you for so many interesting ideas!
I sometimes think it’s depression too, but don’t want to self-diagnose..
Stress alone can exhaust you. Remember to be kind to yourself and if you take longer than someone, who cares? And if you need rest, that’s your right. Don’t be hard on yourself. We all take a little longer doing something. Try and find ways to release stress though!
Thank you!
I totally empathize Rachel … even when I finally learned I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and could (after all those years of not knowing why I felt like a hypochondriac) now explain the myriad of aches, pains, and other debilitating symptoms I’ve lived with my entire life, I find myself STILL struggling with wanting to do more and worse, battling against the thoughts that I SHOULD be able to overcome what I know is an incurable condition. We are always our own worst enemies it seems … but it’s time to show ourselves the kindness and compassion we give so freely to others. I wish you continued strength to carry on as best you can with the wisdom to do so in the ways you need to, not the ways others might. “Comparison is the thief of joy” – one of my favourite quotes. I hope it helps put life in perspective for you too!
One of my doctors said I have Ehlers Danlos, and then shrugged and said there’s nothing to do for it. But it helped me understand why my early attempts at Yoga led to so many injuries; just because I CAN stretch that far, doesn’t mean I should. I had the same experience in physical therapy, where the PT watched me doing my back stretches and made horrified noises each time.
I recognized so much of myself in your writings, for a good reason 😊. It’s really a matter of dealing with the symptoms as they arise, it seems, since there’s no way to permanently fix an unfixable underlying structure, which is how our bodies are glued together! If you haven’t gone to Inspire.com and checked out the Ehlers Danlos Syndromes subsite please do – lots of great support and ideas on how to deal with the varied symptoms this Syndrome produces in all of us that are invisibly affected. There are way, way more of us than people realize, and lots more that are affected that don’t even know they are who continue to wonder “what the he$& is wrong with me?”
Great idea! Thank you!
Hi Rachel. I suffer from chronic pain and there are times when I feel completely out of sync with the “normal” world. It is very isolating. Sometimes I feel like I have a bus sitting on my shoulders. I find solace in my writing and in my dog Sailor. I understand what you are going through. Be kind to yourself and take what you need. You are not alone.
Thank you! It’s amazing how many people suffer from these invisible illnesses, and yet sympathy and understanding in the wider society is still so limited.
Love, love, love your writing. I feel your exhaustion and your ache to do more without crashing and napping. Follow the lead of the pups and just do what you feel like doing. We are all different. By the way, I couldn’t tap and breathe either!
Thank you! Every once in a while, I’;m tempted to put taps on Cricket’s paws and see how that turns out. No one else thinks this is a good idea. Hmm.
I’m with you. I don’t have this all the time, but when I deal table games, I come off the table so full of energy/bull-crap that I can’t explain it, then I start to come down…sometimes I feel I use more energy when my players are winning than when they are losing. Either way, I’m never sure I have enough time to recover before I have to do it again, but I signed on for this job, and I have to show up(much of the time). Add in school, and I’m ready to fall asleep at my too early in the afternoon class, so I hope I have an engaging professor, or I’ll be standing for another hour (only to aggravate my heel spurs I earned from dealing ten hour shifts). I don’t think I’m at the level you’re at by any means, but there are days I know that feeling…However, not all of us have to the high kick in the tap routine…start with yoga perhaps….if you can get in thirty minutes every other day, perhaps with more water, perhaps you won’t need so much adrenaline to fuel you later….it’s only an experiment though. I already admitted I can be full of crap…at least when it comes to cards;-)
Ha! I can’t imagine the amount of adrenaline flowing around a card table; that’s heady stuff!
I was recently diagnosed with CFS/ME and am just learning to allow myself to feel exhausted and to rest. Vulpe, my dog, has no sympathy whatsoever! There is a technique for managing energy called ‘pacing’ that might well be worth a look for you 🙂
I was really careful about pacing, until schoolwork kicked in and pushed me way past my limits. I hope you are doing well, and that Vulpe doesn’t follow Cricket’s relentless example too much.
This is so cute ❤
https://emenihwl.wordpress.com/2016/12/10/lets-talk-positive-thought-to-start-the-new-year/
Sorry to read this, Rachel
Thank you!
We all have our own speed and it’s wise not to exceed it. Try not to worry about what ‘someone’ else may think about how, when and what you choose to do. It took me a while to learn that. 🙂 So many people would be thrilled to death to be able to write as you do. Take care.
Thank you so much!
Oh, Rachel! I have no diagnosis either, but I completely identify with what you wrote. I wish the world were more manageable for both of us!
Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!
I love to read about your life and to see the wonderful photos of your dogs. I’m so sorry to hear about your chronic fatigue, and am wondering if you may actually have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Your fatigue is real, whether you have a diagnosis or not, but sometimes having an “official” diagnosis helps, especially when you feel the need to explain. I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which includes a lot of fatigue. I have only about 4 hours out of 24 when I can be (and feel) productive, so I truly empathize with you. I’m glad to see that many others have given you support in their comments. Very best wishes to you!
Thank you! I did a lot of research a few years ago on all of the different diagnoses that could possibly fit my symptoms and I read about your diagnosis along the way. Most of the doctors roll their eyes at me and offer me Ritalin or something like it. I get the feeling that I’ve read (a lot) more of the research than they have, which is really disappointing. I have some mix of autoimmune/neurological disorders, and maybe a centralized pain disorder as a result. But…who knows.
I like to imagine all those energizer bunnies spending time obsessing about their abundance of energy! Oh right, they don’t because it meshes with our driven culture. We have the energy we have, no more, no less. Peace and love to you.
Oh those energizer bunnies! I used to have nightmares about them!
Sending a special warm cyber hug to you. ❤
Thank you! I can feel it!
Rachel, I’m like you. The smallest activity leaves me exhausted and when I travel for work I can keep up the pace, but when I return home, it takes a couple of days of good rest to get me back on track. Thankfully my spouse is a mensch and completely understands and my pooch is my lover boy. He will nap with me all day if I do. He loves a good romp at the local dog park, but is the best boy at home and fills both me and my husband with the greatest delight. I know I couldn’t live without either of my guys, human or canine!
I love your life! Thank you for sharing!
Rachel I am too familar with those medical rolling eyes and finally said “expletive deleted” to the lot. Eventually through alternative connections I found a doctor who said I have no clue what caused your problems but I can help. Even though he was a true MD virtually his whole program was alternative treatments many MDs dismiss. It worked.
Hearing some of your symptoms and problems and that at least one diagnosis was Ehlers Damlos I would suggest you give yourself permission to forget about yoga. It is much more strenuous than most people think. You might want to look into Tai Chi instead. It is very slow and gentle and the movements are natural, not like all those bends and stretches of yoga. Even if there is no convenient instructor near you, there are many good instruction videos and it’s much safer to learn on your own than yoga. My morning routine is only 8 minutes, so hard to overdo.
And you will finish school eventually. I have faith in you, you have a great heart.
It’s worth a try! Thank you!
Check out the videos by Dr. Paul Lam. His worked well gor my arthritis and fatigue and he is a doctor as well as a tai chi teacher.
Sounds good!
Rachel so many people have already offered so many ideas here but I’m still going to chime in because I recognise how you feel. Just wanted to say that I’ve had ME/CFS for 30 years and like you I read everything and got fed up with knowing more than almost all the specialists I consulted over the years. Quite a while ago now I gave up that tactic and instead I just concentrate on doing everything I can that supports me and makes me feel as well as I can be – which still varies considerably no matter what I do – and I’m quite firm about not doing what I know is too much. It’s a more positive way of being (for me) and I’ve also found that for some reason it’s made it much easier to draw up boundaries and tell people that I’ll do what I can, but that there are limits and I can’t overstep them – and this isn’t a matter of choice but of necessity. It’s strange but the attitude I have about my own illness seems to have altered the way others see it too, which is interesting (and encouraging). I love your blog and try never to miss a post – I wish you energy, happiness, and above all…fun!
Thank you!
Hope you are feeling better. It’s awful when you can’t identify a reason for feeling so tired all the time. Take care, do what you can when you can, and let Cricket and Butterfly work their magic to de-stress you.
Cricket is resting up right now, just in case I need her help later. She’s cool like that.
🙂 Hugs to them both by proxy (and you too, I’m feeling huggy today!)
I’m sure you’re already taking a high quality multi vitamin. I’d google the symptoms and see if it is an unbalance. It might be seasonal because of no sun there.
My doctor is great at following up on imbalances and suggesting vitamins and tests and all kinds of things, but…who knows. I keep trying.
Oh Rachel, I didn’t realise you were suffring from chronic fatigue… It sounds awful. I recently lost a friend who took her own life because of an unexplained fatigue syndrome… They said she had ME. She had an extreme case, she was practically paralysed and couldn’t stand any noise or light… Her life had become terrible agony. But it breaks my heart to think that she might have got better – it seems that people eventually do recover. I hope you do too, soon! 💚
Oh no! Thank God, I’ve never had it as bad as your friend did, but I wish she could have had more help from the medical community. The research is being done, however slowly.
Yes… There was a total lack of help for her. Nobody knew what to do with her. She couldn’t move or feed herself and yet she was never hospitalised. Her father did everything for her. In the end, she was convinced that her life was going to continue being hell until the end of time, and she somehow managed to hang herself. It was beyond awful. It’s two years ago now but it still feels “recent”. I so wish more could have been done for Emily. She was a police officer. Her family and colleagues are trying to raise awareness and funds for research, but I’m not sure how well that is going. Sorry, I must be depressing you! I’m glad to hear research is being done. Maybe one day, there will be a cure. Xx
I agree with Elizabeth. Try not to care about what others may think. You do the best you can.
I’m trying. But ignoring people is not one of my strengths. People are so interesting!
Yes that’s also true 🙂
I have MS and I know all about physical exhaustion I’m sorry you are going through it without a diagnosis. It took over three years for them to diagnose my MS. Every day can be a struggle but somehow I get through and so will you. You don’t realize how strong you are:)
I’m so sorry you’re going through this!
Thank you – I hope better days are ahead for you too:)
So sorry to read that you are having a health issue. It makes it worse when there is no diagnosis. My prayers are with you – for a diagnosis, for wisdom for your doctors and especially for healing. Our God is the great physician, and I trust Him with your care. And of coarse thanking Him for the joy of having Cricket – I remember one dog we had Smokey – he became my chemo buddy always laying with me after my treatments and now our hooligans who have been such a comfort since Tom passed away. They know our hearts and care for us in their own ways. Blessings.
Hi Rachel, I’d never heard of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and I’m a former nurse. I looked it up so now I’m better informed. Thank you.
You commented, “Most of the doctors roll their eyes at me and offer me Ritalin or something like it. I get the feeling that I’ve read (a lot) more of the research than they have, which is really disappointing.” Unfortunately, not all doctors keep up or even believe you when you tell them of your issues. However, you also wrote that your doctor suggests vitamins and tests, so he/she sounds like (s)he has your best interests at heart.
I hope you get a winter break soon so you can take a rest.
A rest would be great! Thank you!
Sending you energy from Australia, Rachel!!
Thank you!
Any time – ps. low thyroid function can lead to exhaustion…
I understand what you’re saying, Rachel. We all have our limits. Honestly, I think you should listen to your body. If you’re tired, rest. If that doesn’t work, have a check-up with your doctor.
Thank you!
It may say something about the US that the term “loser” is so freely and contemptuously applied. You’re better at some things than others. Who isn’t? Did you set out long ago with the clear, firm aim of becoming an old dancer? No? Then you haven’t lost.
Ha! Thank you!
Slowly I’m learning my own limits…I went from running marathons to barely running three miles (knee trouble). I really place too much value on my “doing” and less on my “being.” Your wonderful blog is as much of a gift to the world as any dance. Mental gymnastics are just as difficult as physical gymnastics. We each have our “thing.” You’re ok in the very place you are. Sending you positive energy – to dance, dream, and to write – from deep in the heart of Texas. ha ha
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
Never give up, never surrender! =)
I have the same exact problem with exhaustion. I don’t work or go to school, but even the little things wipe me out. It’s been this way for many years. I’m not that old and I feel my life is passing me by while I’m sleeping. I have chronic depression and I always thought that was the cause, but I’m on an antidepressant that helps that aspect, but not the exhaustion. So no diagnosis here either. It’s frustrating. I’m glad to know I am not alone though. The way you describe it sounds like what I feel, but could never put into words. Thank you for that. I hope you find answers.
I seem to wake up more tired then when I go to bed! I watch dancers and wonder what it would be like to move like that. If I ever could have, that day is long gone. What I did do, at my lowest moment, is join a gym and sign up with a trainer. I am not athletic, fit, financially well funded, or very coordinated. It took a while, but over 2 years, I was surprised at the energy I generated by just moving my body. And all those aches and pains … they got worse for a while, and then they disappeared! This July, my job took precedence and I had to stop going. 6 months later I am lazy and depressed … and eating everything in sight. I know I have to get myself going again — I am so ticked that I dropped the ball and have to start again from a negative place. I don’t know if this helps, but I was truly surprised at the difference 3 hours a week of moderate, exercise (cardio and weights) made in both my body, my physical challenges (bad spine), and my energy and attitude. Hang in there and at least get those dogs out to walk!! They will keep you going for sure!!
Lots of good ideas, thank you!
Dogs on the go🐾🐾🐾
Rachel, this is a really lovely post.
Thank you!
I can relate to the tiredness and the pain and the not feeling like anyone else gets it. I have six autoimmune diseases (I’m an overachiever) and each diagnosis has been a struggle because *I* know there’s something new, but the docs don’t get it.
I spent 18 months sleeping 16 hours a day and being told it was my MS fatigue (no, it’s not. That’s different.) Went temporarily blind and was finally diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes!
Take care of you. Celebrate each victory no matter how small – waking up counts.
Also, increase your vitamin D. Like drastically. Ignore the RDI on the bottles, that’s not based on actual need. Fun fact: the RDI is how much D there is in a tbsp of cod liver oil! If you do have an autoimmune condition, then you won’t be metabolising vitamin d well. Get your levels tested and aim to get yours in the upper levels of the range. It will also help with your anxiety and depression, especially as it’s winter where you are.
Seriously, read up on it. There’s some fabulous stuff being learned about it and it might be valuable for you.
Hugs and kittens from Australia.
Wow! Thanks for the info, and wow, wow, wow for managing so much difficulty so well!
I do what I can and try to find a ‘bright side’ in everything. In pain? The bright side is I can feel my nerves are working, yay! Also, look into using light weights or resistance bands. Small amounts of strength training will help your mental health immensely *and* help stamina. Bright side? Watch tvs and work out! Happy Hanukkah.
Sounds good! Thank you!
I wish we could harness the energy of those that have a lot to share with those that don’t. 🙂
Hi Rachel,
I don’t think there’s anything to say that hasn’t already been said but I will send you some hugs and a stack of empathy. What I have found and others as well, that some movement is better than no movement. I did Weight Watchers years ago and my instructor talked about sneaking steps into your day to burn off calories and its the same thing with people living with chronic illness. I drop my daughter at the station and then walk her 20 metres to the stairs and back to the car. Simple stuff like that. I try to take the dogs to the beach but have been getting slack. The heat is intense and I guess I’m not just being slack either but it feels like it.
A friend of mine has Ehlers Danlos so I will check with her if there’s any treatment. I thought they generally hit all these things with prednisone. Speaking of which, mine is now at the lowest level in 10 years…6 mg. I am doing so much better. Winter is still a battle though with my lungs.
Anyway, take care!!
Lots of love,
Ro
Speaking about dogs and energy, Bilbo is now 70 in dog years and ou try telling him he’s overdoing it chasing the ball at the beach. He comes home exhausted but you can’t hold him back.
Miss Butterfly is twelve years old now (ancient for a Lhasa Apso), but when she’s in the mood she runs like the iwnd!
some of us are Crickets and some are Butterflies. I hope you’ve had a physical lately. I have issues with anemia and low iron and often feel tired. Carbs are killers too. We all need more protein and veg, but you know this.
So sorry you’re not feeling peppy. When I’m running low on energy, the whole world seems drained of color. Shorter winter days, especially chilly ones, are the worst for making me want to hibernate & eat sugary things. You’re kind to share so honestly with us. Wishing you the best.
Thank you!
Loved it
Lovely post. I’m OK now, but many moons ago had ME so totally understand about the exhaustion and not being able to verbalise it. I learnt not to compare myself to others – then I wouldn’t feel like a loser and that I was wasting my life. I’d just say go gentle on yourself. Do what you can when you can, and write your blog with your delightful dogs 🙂 Best Wishes
Thank you so much!