Supermommi on Strike

I am on strike. With no explanation to my coworkers,family,or friends, I put myself on strike last Thursday night as an experiment. My goal was twofold... to gauge the reactions of others and to give myself a much needed break.



My terms are simply this: I will not go out of my way for week to do favors for anyone else if at all possible. I will not cook unless I am in the mood, will not clean up a single mess I did not create, will not babysit or work extra for work or home.

Selfish? Yep. Mean? Possibly. UnChristlike? Probably.

The reasons for my unheralded strike are numerous but I will share the most important ones here.

1. It is often said you must take care of yourself first in order to be able to take care of others. By "often said" I mean people tell me that absolutely all the time.

Funnily enough some of these same people expect much more of me than they should, more than what would be considered fair, certainly more than they offer of themselves. I wanted to try this theory out.

2. I was curious as to the reactions to those around me. I have so far experienced reactions of disbelief, shock, silence, resentment, as well a couple of slaps on the back, a " You go girl" or two, and quite a bit of uncertain laughter. It seems the most popular response was the laughter as people assumed I was joking as I said "Ummm... No. But thanks for asking so nicely."

3. I need a break. I'm exhausted. I need a massage, a nap, a home-cooked meal I didn't create. I want someone to take me to my favorite restaurant. To tell me to put my feet up while they get those dishes. To clean up their own mess. To look me dead in the eye and say "I know you better than that. You are not fine. How are you really?"

Now to be fair let me set the record straight. I enjoy taking care of those I love. I really,really do. I get a kick out of their reactions when I bake them something amazing,or make them a present. I love it. I always have.

The thing is? I just...sometimes? I need a little care-taking too. Or at least a break from all of the requests and demands.

Having chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, and fibromyalgia doesn't make me an invalid and I don't let these things control my life. It does affect me though, daily, in ways big and small.

Almost every day after work the first thing I do is lay down. Sometimes I get back up shortly, many times I simply can't. If it is not pain holding me down, it is exhaustion.

I appreciate those people in my life who get this, who understand. There are some people who are prayer partners for me (like Cass, Laurie, and Liz) and some who try to help me and do kind things for me (Deb and Dan come to mind first). For those who make me smile no matter what my pain or fatigue level is (like Clinton and my kids and those who think they are my kids lol). Y'all all bring me joy.

Just know this? I do want to be there too. I want to be sweet and do things for you, to help you. But I can't always. Sometimes I have to take care of me. I try not to burden others but sometimes I can't carry them either, no matter how much I'd like to.