Having trouble doing the washing
Have you noticed that doing the washing is taking more and more energy? Perhaps you can still manage the washing itself. But lifting, hanging up, folding and tidying away may be too much. Or the washing is left lying around, so it just keeps piling up. This can cause anxiety and sometimes even feelings of shame. Doing the washing involves many small steps: collecting the laundry, sorting it, putting it in the machine, taking it out, hanging it up or drying it, folding it and putting it away. If you’re in pain, get tired quickly or find it harder to keep track of things, this task may feel more daunting than others might realise.
What do you notice?
Difficulties with doing the laundry can arise at various times. Lifting, bending over and repetitive movements in particular often make the task strenuous.
You may, for example, notice that:
- lifting laundry baskets is too heavy;
- Bending down to the washing machine hurts;
- Hanging up wet washing takes a lot of effort;
- standing for long periods whilst folding is tiring;
- you forgot to take the washing out of the machine;
- clean laundry is left lying around;
- you are finding it difficult to keep track of things;
- you are dreading doing the washing;
- the washing is piling up quickly.
Sometimes you try to get all the washing done in one go. That may help temporarily, but it can also cause more pain or tiredness afterwards.
