10 Practical Tips for Managing Housework with Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic illness is not enjoyable. It's not ideal, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It affects every part of our lives and our loved ones' lives, from our social lives to our careers, to how we manage self-care, and not forgetting the most mundane tasks like keeping up with household chores.

As someone battling with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), chronic pain, and fibromyalgia, as well as spinal issues, I understand how overwhelming it can be to not only manage my chronic illness but also balance self-care, family responsibilities and to try to keep a clean home. Over the past few years, I've discovered strategies and routines that have helped me stay on top of housework without compromising my health or leaving too much of it to my husband.

Below are my 10 practical tips for managing housework with a chronic illness:

1. Prioritize Tasks

One of the most important things I've learned is to prioritise tasks based on urgency and energy levels. Each morning or sometimes the evening before, I make a list of essential chores that need to be done and tackle them during the hours I feel best able to tackle them. By focusing on the most critical tasks first, I ensure that the most important things are taken care of, even if I run out of energy later in the day.

2. Break Tasks into Manageable Chunks

AKA ‘Pace myself and my tasks’.

Instead of trying to do everything at once, which is impossible for me to do as my body simply doesn’t allow it. I break down larger chores into smaller, more manageable chunks - I pace them throughout the day or even across days. For example, rather than overwhelming myself with cleaning too much at once, which would inevitably cause me to have a Post-external malaise crash (PEM) or severely inflame my back, I focus on one room a day or even part of a room - and that room might take me all day or even a couple of days to clean it, as I pace it by doing a bit, then stop and rest, then continue a bit more cleaning, and then stop and rest again, and so on. By balancing it so I don’t push myself too hard and inevitably push myself into a PEM crash. This approach allows me to accomplish small tasks and gives me a sense of happiness and achievement.

3. Establish a Routine

Having a consistent routine has been crucial in helping me stay on top of housework; it allows me to feel more in control. Of course, there are days when I am simply too poorly to do anything. But by designating specific days for certain tasks, such as cleaning the downstairs toilet on Mondays and dusting the stair bannisters on Fridays, I create a predictable schedule that makes it easier to manage my energy levels and plan ahead.

4. Embrace Technology

Incorporating technology into my cleaning routine has been really helpful. I use apps to set reminders for tasks, create lists (I love creating lists), and track household management. Additionally, investing in modern cleaning tools, like my iRobot vacuum and electronic scrubbing tools, has made chores more manageable, less physically painful for me and less physically demanding.

5. Delegate Tasks

As much as I begrudge doing it, I do ask for help when I am simply too poorly to do anything. Whether it's assigning chores to the kids or considering hiring an occasional cleaning service (I am thinking once a month deep clean). I have no choice but to prioritise my health, and luckily, I have a very understanding family, but I try my best to do even the smallest of things just to take that pressure off my husband or my kids, i.e. I like to do the dishes before my husband gets home from work as if they are left, I know he will do them. He cooks dinner daily, so doing little things like the dishes means he doesn’t have to do it all. And it makes me feel so much better.

6. Practice Self-Care

Self-care is non-negotiable when managing chronic illness. I prioritise activities that recharge my batteries, such as gentle yoga, reading, or meditation. Taking care of my physical and mental health will not only improve my overall well-being but also give me a little bit of strength and resilience to tackle daily chores.

7. Simplify Your Space

Minimising clutter and simplifying the home can make a huge difference in my ability to keep up with housework. I try decluttering regularly, implementing storage solutions, and creating a more streamlined environment that is easier to maintain, especially for the low-energy days.

8. Be Kind to Oneself

Living with chronic illness is devasting, and it robs you of a lot! Thus, it's essential to practice self-compassion. On days when I cannot accomplish as much as I'd like, I remember that it's okay to take a break and prioritise rest and that the dusty stair bannister can wait a day or two. I listen to my body, acknowledge my limitations, and celebrate small victories along the way.

9. Meal Planning

Meal planning is crucial not only to managing our housework more effectively but also to managing our household budget. We write a meal plan for the week ahead every Sunday before he goes to do the weekly grocery shopping. Hubby does all the cooking, and he likes to cook from scratch, but we do have backups for those tough days, like if he’s had a hard day at work, or he is running late, or on days when he needs a break from cooking. We make sure to have a stock of microwave meals or treat ourselves to takeaways.

10. Stay Flexible

Flexibility is key when managing housework with chronic illness. I accept and understand that some days will be better than others, and that I must adjust my expectations and priorities accordingly - it all depends on my body and pain levels. I allow myself to accept I cannot do it during challenging times and when I do complete small tasks, no matter how small, I make sure to celebrate the victories.

Final Thoughts

Navigating housework while living with chronic illness requires a combination of practical strategies, self-care, and flexibility. By prioritising tasks, breaking them down, practising pacing, establishing routines, and seeking support when needed, I am able to create a manageable system that works for us. By implementing these tips and adapting them to my unique circumstances, I can just about maintain a clean and organized home—with the help of my husband and kids.

About me

I am a married mother of four children. One of those four children is our granddaughter, for whom we are SGO (legal guardians)/kinship carers. I run a small business and enjoy writing, so I blog. My blog focuses on my family life as well as my experiences of living with chronic illnesses and disabilities such as ME/CFS, spinal stenosis, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia.  Oh, and I am only in my mid-40s.