I'm so happy you're here. I so EXCITED to tell you about this because it absolutely changed my life. I needed this so badly and consider it a "God thing" that I know about it now. I'd love to hear what you think? And how's your week going?

@Rachaelworld

12 күн бұрын

Hi there, thank you for sharing this technique, I am going to try it out and see if I can get my partner to start using it. We are both ADHDers (late diagnosed) and we struggle to manage our energy well. I wanted to share something with you because you talk about having Fibromyalgia. I was active in a large Peri/Menopause FB group a couple of years ago and a number of women who had Fibromyalgia started talking about how their symptoms dramatically improved and even disappeared after starting HRT, one woman started HRT on purpose as a friend had seen this and told her and she said the relief was almost instantaneous. I told my friend who had been suffering with Fibromyalgia symptoms for a decade and she was hugely sceptical but as she was also having Peri type symptoms she decided to start HRT. She didn't want to admit it so she kept shtum for a couple of months but then wrote a long post for the group about how she saw almost instant relief too and that most of her FM symptoms were gone and had stayed gone. It may be that some women are getting misdiagnosed with FM when actually it is Peri, or it could be that FM is caused by Peri, who knows. There also has been some discussion about Long Covid symptoms being improved when on HRT but I have less anecdotal evidence on that. Anyway, I just thought you might be interested if you are not on HRT, it might be worth you trying it. Even if you are long past going into Menopause you can still start HRT at any point in life theoretically, you just need to find a Menopause specialist who is trained in *Regulated *Body-Identical HRT (rBHRT) and NOT *Compounded *Bio-Identical HRT (cBHRT). Even if you no longer have a uterus you can still benefit from taking oral systemic micronised true Progesterone (Utrogestan is the brand name in most countries) and transdermal Oestrogen is a must for all women. Check out the Balance Menopause website for science based information on everything Peri/Meno and HRT that challenges the misinformation and myths that are so prevalent. It is worth noting that unfortunately most doctors, even OBGYNs etc are woefully under trained and misinformed about Per/Meno and HRT so please don't rely on what they have told you previously, you really need to see a trained Menopause specialist, preferably one who is experienced treating women with FM and complex medical history such as yours. I hope this is helpful.

@cuppajoylady

8 күн бұрын

How often each day do you "check in" with yourself?

@TowardsASimpleLife

8 күн бұрын

@@cuppajoylady I’ve been doing this long enough that I am automatically checking in with myself all day. For a long time - when I was still having to use the calendar - I checked in and marked it 4-5 times a day. If I ever start noticing that things are sliding backwards. I will use the calendar again. Hope that helps!

@skulljaden3187

6 күн бұрын

Less things less work. After getting rid of unnecessary, accumulated things I enjoy the simple housework.

@TowardsASimpleLife

6 күн бұрын

@skulljaden3187 so true!

Anyone else feel purple but force themselves to keep going because everyone expects you to? That has been my life. How wonderful it would be to be allowed to just REST. Just rest.

@TowardsASimpleLife

5 күн бұрын

I spent too much time during my life doing that. It’s no wonder I ended up collapsing for a while. I wish I had known about the spots earlier, but am grateful I know about them now.

I just found out im autistic and that autistic burnout has been happening for years. Trying to get over it. This seems very useful. I feel guilty for not being able to do things, like everyone else.

@TowardsASimpleLife

13 күн бұрын

I’m so glad it will be helpful to you!!

@gohawks3571

6 күн бұрын

I'm not sure if I have something (I suspect ADHD, my brothers were tested but I was expected to get over stuff and just do things). I feel exactly the same as you. I'm trying my best, and that's all you can do. Especially when depression happens, that makes it even harder☹️ Hang in there, friend; you're worth it!🫂

@TowardsASimpleLife

6 күн бұрын

👍❤️

@cremebrulee4759

2 күн бұрын

I hope that you can find a way to accept that you are doing the best you can do. I have depression, anxiety, ADHD, and probably a touch of OCD. I struggle with motivation and energy every single day, so I understand. Do the best that you can do and then praise yourself for doing it. The best you can do is all that you can do, and it's enough.

@SeanPalmerLOFI

2 күн бұрын

I was thinking this same thing

The bedspread is cheerful.

@TowardsASimpleLife

10 күн бұрын

Thanks! I love it. I get it out every summer. ☀️

@pinchebruha405

8 сағат бұрын

Was thinking the same thing. I love the pattern so cute 🥰

I love this idea, but it’s so hard when you’re a mom and your kids need you every minute.

@TowardsASimpleLife

12 күн бұрын

You' re right - it's so hard. I remember that when my kids were small, I felt like I got up and ran all day long until I collapsed into bed at night. It was grueling. And when they are in certain time periods, it is just the way it is. They can't be ignored. In looking back at that time period, I'm wondering if part of my problems was that I can get kind of perfectionistic and hard on myself sometimes. I think I may have had too high of standards for myself. (Does that sound weird?) I think I'm improving here and, actually the dots have helped because they taught me to listen to body, but sometimes I still push myself harder than I should. I think it's a process to learn to do well, but not do so well that you harm yourself. What is that about the oxygen on the plane? You have to put it on yourself before you help others? I remember talking to my father about this very thing when my kids were small. I was telling him how exhausted I was and that I couldn't do any more and I felt bad about it. He said, "Don't run faster than you are able." He was a wise man. I'll never forget that moment.

@bitrudder3792

22 сағат бұрын

This reminds me of a story that was told about Susanna, Wesley, mother of Charles Wesley. If I recall the story, correctly (no guarantees on that these days 😂😂😂), She had a large number of children, but they all knew to give her some peace and quiet when she put her apron over her face and head. That was her quiet time for prayer and meditation, and a little peace and quiet I suspect - a pause from the incessant demands of children. And no doubt prayers that they wouldn’t turn into hooligans when they got older! True or not, Susanna, or not, I love the idea of a mom carving out time, no matter what. If she could do it… Other moms can do it. On a similar note, other moms have trained their children to not interrupt unless fire, blood or broken glass are involved. Things like that. Same idea but with a thoughtful direction to keep people safe.

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 сағат бұрын

@@bitrudder3792 "apron over her head." :-)

@shoshanaeri8035

7 сағат бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife Sounds like we gotta start wearing aprons again! 😅

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 сағат бұрын

@@shoshanaeri8035 I love aprons! I have a nice collection and wear them all the time. I just didn't think of using them like that. Maybe the next time my grandkids get extra loud, I'll put the one I have on over my head. 🤣

Killer dots is more fun. I’m 73 and have learned that each day I start with only a certain amount of energy and must decide what to spend it on. Major surgery on my digestive system in my 20’s with long term effects, then fibromyalgia, chronic anemia, and Covid twice for sure have really impacted my wellbeing. I’ve been doing something similar to your coloured dots for years using my kitchen calendar. I use coloured pens, pencils and highlighters and can look back on my weeks and months and see how I’ve done. I also use emojis sometimes to express myself. Instead of a journal, I use the calendar to mark down notable activities, events and people I met or talked to. I like your coloured dots though as a more concise way to keep track of myself on each day. It will take up less room on my calendar.

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 күн бұрын

I bet your calendar would be a fascinating read! I’m so glad to hear the killer dots will help you with it. 🟢🟡🔴🟣

@debrac1688

2 күн бұрын

any advice for sleep difficulties and "waking up" tired, not refreshed

@TowardsASimpleLife

2 күн бұрын

I have a few tips in that video with 53 tips. But sleep can be a struggle. Have you ever been tested for sleep apnea or reflux? I have to take sleep medication because it’s common for people with Fibro to have sleep problems. Working on sleep quality is the top thing they do. I also find I am extremely sensitive to sound and light and sometimes I get woken up by odd things - even the air conditioner coming on or someone coming in the front door (the door pops) can be a problem.

I love this method. Most days I try to push myself but then I end up in red and purple. I wake most days in yellow. But I had a realization from this video. Yesterday I felt like I had a bit of a head cold coming on and I went into what I call taking care of me mode. I made myself soup and a cup of cocoa (yes in the summer). I enjoyed it and took the day slow doing something that wasn't on a to do list. After most of the day went by I got up and told my hubby I was going to get some work done because I was feeling better. Your video made me realize I need to do selfcare everyday when I start to get tired not just when I am sick.

@TowardsASimpleLife

13 күн бұрын

I'm so happy to hear that this is helping you. It's made such a great difference in my life. I'll always be grateful to John for teaching it to me. I'm glad I could share it with you.

I had three years of CBT trauma therapy after my 30 year abusive marriage ended. This aligns so much with the tools that I’m already using some of which I forget to use from time to time and things slip into old patterns. Rebuilding my life has been extremely difficult, had Covid in the midst of it all and having to start a career at 60. Taking care of an elderly mother, my children’s lives being in turmoil and my grandchildren, I tend to not take care of myself as much as I should. I too push through, where I end up in purple, a terrifying place to get to and SO challenging to come out of. This is a gift from God and an answer to prayer. Thank you so much!

@TowardsASimpleLife

9 күн бұрын

You certainly have had some large challenges to deal with! Wow. I am sooo glad this video has been helpful to you. Thank you for letting me know. It’s a blessing to me. I hope you have a nice weekend!

@dianefine7081

5 күн бұрын

Same here. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2000. Mom of 8 and the youngest diagnosed with Down Syndrome/Autism, and abusive spouse. I was able to leave the SOB in 2013 with my special needs son and life got better. But because we shared a special needs son, he still didn't leave me alone. Long story short, I got long-term Covid in January of 2021. However, as I was still recovering, in November of 2022, the ex began a legal nightmare that still isn't resolved today (he's stringing it out) and I've been in purple since then. Now, my 8 kids are grown adults with the mom of 8 grown adult children, with 7 spouses or SO, and 14-going-on-16, Grands. I'm so used to pushing myself but I physically cannot push myself any more. Even my 90 year old mother knows that. But in the midst of this legal battle, I work when my son's here (3 weeks out of the month and every other weekend) and do absolutely nothing the week/weekends he's gone. That's what I'm down to. And it is a scary place to be. Thank you for sharing so honestly. I can relate so much with what you shared, I immediately subscribed and watched the video again.

@TowardsASimpleLife

5 күн бұрын

@dianefine7081 I’m so sorry about all you’ve been through. So many challenges and courage required to keep going. You’re very brave. It does sound like we have some things in common. I’m so glad you’re here!

@dianefine7081

4 күн бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife thank you! I'm so happy to be here!

I've just taken a shower and am in yellow, verging on red. In a tricky transition and staying with my parents, which is not so great at the age of 54 and there's a lot of stress. I am too good at covering up how I honestly feel and they don't like to acknowledge I'm not well. I spend a lot of time in my room, trying to get back to a green, or even a yellow, then engage with them again and retreat to recover. It's a very useful video - thank you! I've been pushed to purple and red too many times over the past eighteen months and I feel totally validated by this. At least insanity is one less thing to stress about!

@TowardsASimpleLife

18 күн бұрын

I'm so glad it has helped you. Tracking your energy states will help you. When I was learning to do it, I taught my family members what the colors meant and then, over time, I could say to them, "I better rest because I'm in the yellow and I can tell that if I don't, I'll end up in the red." It became a signal to them that you do need to rest and they got more and more supportive. It gave us a langue to communicate with and over time, they stopped thinking that I was exaggerating. Now, if I tell my husband that I'm sliding into red (I sometimes say "orange", because I'm past yellow but not quite to red," he'll firmly tell me to go rest. They have learned that the more I honor yellow, the faster I am back in the green and it makes a difference to all of it. I hope that your parents can get it. It could make a big difference for all of you!

@susanlynn6545

22 сағат бұрын

Taking a walk or sitting outside and looking at nature helps recover energy. Happy music and funny TV shows. ❤

@laurenlauren4239

16 сағат бұрын

I feel for you. I've been in this situation in my fifties and it's tough. From my experience, I would say focus as much as you can (gently, without forcing) on any friendships or interests you have that make you feel good about yourself and boost your confidence, that give you a healthy sense of yourself and your place in the world. Someone above mentioned looking at nature, funny films... whatever you have access to and helps. Looking back, I can see that I didn't do enough of this, I was so bogged down in the situation, health problems, difficult transition and aware that my parents were worried about me and didn't know how to help.... disempowering to my sense of myself as an adult. With some help from a wonderful local healer I was eventually able to move on. Remember, this situation doesn't make you any less of who you are, even if it might feel like it. Be proud of who you are and what you've accomplished and coped with in your life, even if no one else sees those things. I find being around parents/ family can make me feel invisible... putting a hand on my heart, the other one on my belly, helps me to re centre and give myself some love. You'll find a way through this. My heart is with you, I wish you strength and lots and lots of tender self-care 💞🌹

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 сағат бұрын

@@laurenlauren4239 This is great advice.

@NothingByHalves

6 сағат бұрын

@@laurenlauren4239 Thank you for your supportive words. My parents did indeed betray me through lack of trust shortly after writing this, but my sister came through for me. I am in a challenging financial situation which triggers a lot of shame, and I've been trying to find somewhere to live and coming up against my fears and shame...and somehow taking them on and turning it all around. The result is that I am soon to move into a place of my own, despite my worries, the right little property popped up in right timing, all the referencing checks went through and I am arranging the tenancy start date. The next couple of days will be floating around orange, but knowing what I need to move the needle back to green. The thought of having access to all my creative things is what is keeping me going! It's so nice to hear a success story. Thank you and much love 🤗💕

There are no coincidences. Your video came through my feed and I didn’t even read the videos titled. I just clicked to watch on a whim when I saw your kind face.

@TowardsASimpleLife

14 күн бұрын

Oh what nice thing to hear. You’ve made me smile. Thanks so much for saying hello!

@thriftedpassion

14 күн бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife I don’t know how YT algorithms knew that I needed to learn and implement the dots method in my life because I’ve never searched or watched a video on this topic. What you described you have gone through with long C19…its what I’m experiencing currently. Your words hit deep. I’ve been red/purple for too long. I need to give myself more Grace and thanks to your kindness to help people out with your videos, I now have better tools to cope. I’ve already implemented the dots, currently purple and passing dinner off to my husband so I don’t have a meltdown. I am a firm believer in acknowledging and giving thanks to people for their good work and helping others out of the kindness of their hearts . 😊

@TowardsASimpleLife

14 күн бұрын

Isn’t it neat how knowing about the Dots gives you a language to let you communicate with yourself and others about how you are feeling? It has been critical to my own life and has made such a difference with helping my family understand where I am and what I need to do. I’m so glad it is helping you too. John has blessed both of us!

We like to take breaks with screentime which isn't taking us out of yellow!

@TowardsASimpleLife

4 күн бұрын

So true. I do this more than I should, but it does help that I am far more picky about what I watch than I used to be.

I can't live without breaks. The to do list will still be ridiculous when I'm dead. I might as well not be dead prematurely because I'm trying to do too much.

@TowardsASimpleLife

13 күн бұрын

This is great! I’m going to remember that.

@joeycrunch

7 күн бұрын

Oof, that hit me hard! “The to do list will still be there when I’m dead” 😵 Such a good wake up call to prioritize self check-ins 😤👏🏼 And thanks Rozanne for the lovely video ❤️‍🩹

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 күн бұрын

@joeycrunch I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

I have been doing this method organically but I like the idea of colors which can be used to explain your current state to your family without having to tax yourself thinking of the words to explain. This video should be required listening for anyone with a chronic illness.!! Ty

@TowardsASimpleLife

2 күн бұрын

That’s what the colors do for me. Nobody knew what I meant (including me) when I said, “I don’t feel good.” Being able to give them a color has been game changing. I feel so blessed to have met John and am happy that I could pass this along.

Killer Dots is SO much more fun than coloured dots, even though it's not quite right! I've realised that I am spending so much of my time in yellow and nowhere near enough in green. Too much in red and even in purple occasionally, when I have to cancel everything and everyone thinks I'm hopelessly unreliable. What a great way of describing how you are doing and alerting yourself to problems.

@TowardsASimpleLife

16 күн бұрын

Yes, it's not quite right although it did occur to me that being in the red or purple feels like a killer state. Ha! I'm unreliable too. I've finally started to tell people that. I was extremely reliable before I got sick and now I'm not. I feel it's better for them to know that I really do want to go - and will go if I can - but that they shouldn't take it personally if I can't come. I'll be disappointed to. I'm also not reliable around here. My ability to do things is soooo up and down. It takes getting used to. But at least, I have the dots which helps me understand what's going on and when I need to stop back and "cool my jets" for awhile. I'm so glad John taught this to me!

This sounds so much like me... I push through and then I can't do anything as I am exhausted. I will monitor myself with this method. Thank you. ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

28 күн бұрын

That’s what I used to do too! DOTS has really helped me. Glad you’re here!

Great video! I also want to say I love the colorful bedroom! I’m sick of the gray and white in so many videos.😊

@TowardsASimpleLife

29 күн бұрын

Thanks! I love color and have it everywhere in my home. I just couldn’t get into the grey and white color scheme. Seeing the colors I love around makes me feel good. So glad you like it too!

@Megan6772

14 күн бұрын

Yes the bedspread is beautiful

@M_SC

7 күн бұрын

And the wall

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 күн бұрын

Thanks! I love the paint color so much.

@claudialupper

5 күн бұрын

Same here, so inspiring. Gray walls are sad.

There's nothing to feel guilty about when you're taking care of yourself! Really needed to hear this right now, as I'm early in pregnancy struggling with morning (all day) sickness and fatigue and having a hard time getting much of anything done.

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 сағат бұрын

Yes, take care of yourself! The sickness will pass, but then, after you have the baby, you'll be so busy it will feel hard to take care of yourself whenever you can. You'll probably have to let your standards drop for awhile, but it's okay. It really is. Sometimes, things are more important that keeping everything shiny and clean. So happy for you about the baby!

I’m going to have my husband watch this entire video. He hasn’t learned to pace himself as well as I have but he is getting better. God bless you and yours❤️

@TowardsASimpleLife

27 күн бұрын

This really helped me. Hope it helps him too!

I love this concept so much!! It is so expected to push through when you’re tired, but it’s so counter productive.

@TowardsASimpleLife

6 күн бұрын

So true! The best thing is to rest and then, you can get it done.

I’m so sorry you got sick with that nasty thing and it blasted you like that. Sucks. Blessings to your beautiful human soul, for still doing videos and sharing your message and inspiring insights. Much love ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

Күн бұрын

Yeah, not fun. But good things often come out of bad things and meeting such nice people on my channel is one of them!

Hola. People dont realize how bad covid affects ur cognitive abilities. Ive been feeling yellow for the last 2 weeks. I believe it has everything to do with the heat. Ur bedding is so cheerful. This video is going to help so many people. Self awareness is a super power. We all need these essentials. Have a great weekend.

@TowardsASimpleLife

24 күн бұрын

So true! Covid does so much more to some people that people understand. Paxolid was a blessing when I got Covid the last time. It even helped my Long Covid improve. The whole experience, and the dots, taught me so much. Yes, self-awareness is a superpower!

OMG, thank you so much for this live-saving resource. I’ve been told by specialist to learn to PACE for the last 5+ and this is he first time it’s actually been explained in a way I find accessible.

@TowardsASimpleLife

12 күн бұрын

I am so glad that it's helping you! That's awesome!!

@crystalclear6864

11 күн бұрын

Yes pacing explained very well

❤ thank you. I needed this, tears are running in a healing way while listening to you. And I love watching, your bed is so lovely decorated, I like colours and flowers. Hope we all get energy back and heal. God bless you ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

Күн бұрын

I’m so grateful to hear that the video was helpful to you. It means a lot to me that it was. God bless you too!

Most people are rarely in red or purple? Woah. 🤯 Those are my normal. This explains so much

@TowardsASimpleLife

2 күн бұрын

It was a wake-up call for me too. It was so important for me to learn what that means, because I could start doing something about it.

It would be fun to do a Happiness check in, using 3 smiley faces, one with a smile, one neutral, one sad mouth. If sad you could ask yourself what would make me smile. Love your energy dot idea and will start using it. My issue is when I collapse in a heap I feel guilty that stuff is not getting done so it is a downward spiral. I like the idea of just doing the essentials. Thanks for your channel.

@TowardsASimpleLife

18 күн бұрын

Tracking your happiness level along with the dots is such a good idea, because your emotional state can be associated with how your feel physically. I'm so glad you're here! Have you seen my lastest video about the book, "How to keep house while drowning: by KC Davis? It may help you, because you don't need to feel guilty about doing less when you;re not feeling the best. KC is a therapist and she shares what she teaches her clients in the book, who suffer in this way. You can watch it here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/opyFuKqKmtute84.htmlsi=t7GjqbKs3DNSrzwS You might also want to watch the video about Essentialism. It really helped me start to figure out what I consider essential and what is non-essential (so I don't need to do it. kzread.info/dash/bejne/opyFuKqKmtute84.htmlsi=t7GjqbKs3DNSrzwS I hope that helps!

Thank you for this! It makes me realize I push myself too hard until I "hit a wall" which is red/purple for me.

@TowardsASimpleLife

14 күн бұрын

You’re so very welcome! You sound like me. That’s what I tend to do. The Dots have given me a reality check.

This is frightening! So beautifully simple and like a brain worm, now that I’ve seen it I can no longer pretend! I’m an orange today and was prepared to behave like green, and it pulled me up! The pushing through is such a horrible compulsion but this is going to help me find constructive and kind ways to be in each of the colours. I have had ME/CFS for thirty years, which has included being bed bound. I am now very active but with good and bad days. This system and the intervals forces us to be honest with ourselves, that’s why it’s frightening, but that’s why it has the potential to be a game changer. Killer coloured dots! I love it. Thank you 🙏🏼 🤩

@TowardsASimpleLife

26 күн бұрын

I’m so glad it will help you. It has made a big impact in my life. I really needed it. Thanks so much for letting me know!

Your story is so similar to mine! I'm mid twenties and it hit me in university. Trying to get better with no income or savings meant I had to live in a van for nearly 3 years. This seems revolutionary. Thank you so much

@TowardsASimpleLife

12 күн бұрын

So sorry that you've been through this. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It's amazing that such a simple thing - tracking how you feel with dots - could help so much. I guess it's because it's so easy to really pay attention to ourselves.

HI, I'm a millennial with a boomer work ethic.😆I wish that I had these amazing tips when I had my first MS relapse. It would have saved me much distress! At least I can put these into practice now. Thanks for the excellent video!

@paigebecker6446

14 күн бұрын

I'll have to watch this video in spurts because the brain fog is real today!

@TowardsASimpleLife

13 күн бұрын

You are so welcome. I’m glad it’s going to be helpful to you!

@TowardsASimpleLife

13 күн бұрын

Brain fog is SO real. I hate it when it happens to me. The Dots help me reduce it and get over it faster, but it’s still a thing sometimes. Hope you feel better quickly.

I’m a long hauler, 3 1/2 years now. This is the absolute best thing I’ve seen on pacing to date. I’m super visual, so to have a visual representation of how i am feeling and be able to color code it to measure is incredibly helpful. I’ve done so much OT and PT and no one has taught anything like this for pacing. Thank you for spending your own spoons to make this helpful video. ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

10 күн бұрын

Oh, I’m so glad that it is going to be helpful to you. It makes such a difference to me. I still mess up, but I can easily label where I am and know just what to do to get back in the green. And I can easily tell my family how I’m feeling and they get it. So glad I met John and he would be happy to know he helped you too!

@jessicalambert7753

10 күн бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife may I ask how long you did cognitive rehabilitation? I’m about to start soon. Do you think that was the most helpful for you in recovery?

@TowardsASimpleLife

10 күн бұрын

I was in CT around 9 months. What ended up happening to me was that I got Big C again and was really sick. My doctor gave me Paxlovid and it ended up helping my Long Covid too. I still have the after effects, and probably always will, but I took a leap forward. I don’t know how well I would have done without the Dots because I still use them every single day to assess where I am. (I don’t have to mark a calendar because it’s just part of me now.) For instance, two days ago I had a cleaning thing I had to do that I absolutely had to do and I knew it would be hard on me physically. It seemed to be okay afterward and so I did some other things. I should have stopped. Yesterday morning I felt awful, even a little depressed. I realized I was Orange (a made-up state because sometimes, yellow isn’t right but I’m not quite red). As soon as I realized what was going on, I stopped what I was doing and gave up with the idea that I could do anything other than recover. I’m a little better today. I did some things this morning but quickly hit yellow so I have to stop again. The worst thing is that my brain also goes dead when I’m not green and then I can’t figure out the thing I need to figure out. But I have no choice other than to cool it and wait when this happens to me. As soon as I feel better, I can figure things out. (Trying to plan a future video.) Pacing was the most valuable thing to come out of CT and really, was the thing John and I spent almost all of our time on. I’ve had some other doctors surprised by that answer, but then again, they didn’t know about the Dots until I told them about it. I tell them “pacing is everything.” When you are an “overachiever” like I am, it is so hard to accept you just can’t keep pushing through and do everything you can think up. I finally did accept it. This is my life. It’s okay. I hope this helps!

@jessicalambert7753

10 күн бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife so sorry to hear you got the big C again! It’s just awful! Your reply is so helpful. Thank you for sharing your experience. I can relate SO MUCH to everything you said. I’m very similar. When I’ve depleted by batteries I can’t even form sentences. I really try to not get to that stage (purple) but it happens occasionally. I’m so excited to start this dot system to help pace better. So grateful for you sharing your experience. Wishing you many more Green Day’s and continued healing. 🙏🏻✨

@TowardsASimpleLife

10 күн бұрын

@jessicalambert7753 ❤️❤️

Killer dots is funnier! Watching you today has brought me from yellow to almost green in just 2 videos! Think I'll watch one more and then go take on the rest of my day (in green!!)

@TowardsASimpleLife

29 күн бұрын

💚💚💚💚 love this!

Oh yea… I need to do this. I have days where i wear myself out and can’t do anything for the next day and sometimes days after that. This is a great idea.

@TowardsASimpleLife

21 күн бұрын

So glad you found it. I think it will help. Hope you have a great week!

My choice is Magical dots! Also, since i LOVE the color purple, I'm going to use brown for that stage. Thank you for this! I can see it having a big impact on my fibro/cfs life. 😊❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

5 күн бұрын

I love that you're adapting it. I ended up adding a couple of colors - particularly orange - because sometimes I am tireder than yellow, but not quite red. John thought it was funny, but he said that he's seen other patients do the same thing. I think it's just important that we start listening to ourselves, particularly when we have chronic illnesses. (You know that too!)

Thanks for this! I’m a school teacher in Australia and this is very much like what our Wellbeing team is implementing with our students, where they are required to check in several times over a day to see what “zone” they are in…It’s a program called Zones of Regulation, and has those colours you mentioned. Great ideas!

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

This is so interesting to me. What are the odds? I think it’s wonderful that you are teaching the students this. What a wonderful skill to grow up with!

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

This is so interesting to me. What are the odds? I think it’s wonderful that you are teaching the students this. What a wonderful skill to grow up with!

I took notes so I figured I'd post them here in case anyone else would like them. Check in with yourself throughout the day (ideally 4 or 5 times a day). At that moment, notice your energy level and record it with a colored dot: _Green_ - feeling good and like you can do things - ideal for getting things done _Yellow_ - starting to get tired in your brain, body, or emotionally - often we are tempted to push through this zone - ideal time to take a break: - short walk - coloring in a coloring book - activities where you can "turn your brain off" or your mind can wander aimlessly - taking a break closer to the onset of this level can mean that you recharge in a shorter amount of time _Red_ - stop! - feeling exhausted, hard to be around other people, low amounts of patience - feeling like you can't handle even one more thing _Purple_ - really unwell - depression - suicidal thoughts may appear - unable to take care of basic life tasks, like showering and eating - make basic life tasks as easy to accomplish as possible (ex: baby wipes "shower", ready-made food and snacks) - don't guilt yourself in this state! give yourself permission to take care of yourself

@TowardsASimpleLife

3 күн бұрын

This was very kind of you to do. Hope it helps others as they are inspired to start using the dots method after watching the video and hearing my story. Thanks!

@jenniferparkinson9411

Күн бұрын

Killer dots...Genius...😅😅😅

@TowardsASimpleLife

Күн бұрын

@@jenniferparkinson9411 😀

@karenmoore7309

9 сағат бұрын

COLORED dots. Thank you so much for typing this list! I've written it down for myself, writing the color name in that color🎉😊. May we all take better care of ourselves and be well! God bless us in Jesus' name, amen!

@karenmoore7309

9 сағат бұрын

​@@jenniferparkinson9411COLORED DOTS because words have power and our subconscious is always listening. Keep words positive for our own good. Be well!

LOVE that quilt!!

@TowardsASimpleLife

4 күн бұрын

Me, too! I bought it 4-5 years ago from Amazon and get it out every summer. It's so cheerful!

I think I’ve just realised that there is so much to learn that I haven’t enough life left to learn it. I would suggest they get a move on with transhumanism. Then none of us would get tired. 😅

@TowardsASimpleLife

2 күн бұрын

Now that’s an idea… 😀

You're an intelligent individual. I like "killer colors". Maybe your subconscious is leaking out your creativity! Thanks for the techniques! ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

3 күн бұрын

That is so kind of you to say. I suspect my subconscious leaks a lot of things when I talk. Hopefully, not too many bad things!

I’ve never heard of Killer Color Dits, but I can relate to this idea; it’s how I’ve been able to keep my sanity. I grew up very much like you, always able to accomplish a lot & stay focused, etc. Aging, illness, grief, loss of a job or career, and other life issues or unresolved trauma can flip a switch that makes our old self almost seem like a different person. Now if I need to stop and take a walk, draw a picture, pet the dog - whatever I really enjoy AT THAT MOMENT - I do it without apology. It is self-renewal. Our tank gets empty from endless energy output and it takes more than food and sleep to fill it!

@TowardsASimpleLife

22 күн бұрын

You’re so right. It does take more than food to fill our tank. I relate to the “flipping the switch” sentiment. When I was young, I couldn’t have imagined everything that happened to me and to life tends to change with each new turn in the road.

Soooo interesting. I have way too many responsibilities and too many expectations of myself. I enter red all of the time. I have too much traveling in my mind and it doesn’t stop. Thankfully I have seen some of my patterns and make myself to take breaks, but somehow I need to limit my expectations. Very much enjoyed this video.

@TowardsASimpleLife

5 күн бұрын

I'm so glad! It is helpful to me to know where I am. I still have Fibro flares and don't feel good, but the dots have helped me know what to do to get pas them. I'm very grateful that John taught me to do this. So happy to pass it along to you!

We talked a long time ago when you started your other channel and I absolutely loved it. I’m so glad you popped up on my feed. 😊

@TowardsASimpleLife

28 күн бұрын

Hi. Glad you’re here!

I’m grateful for you and this video. Thank you so much.

@TowardsASimpleLife

18 күн бұрын

You are so very welcome. I’m glad to have helped a little.

Game changer! Thank you for posting this.

@TowardsASimpleLife

26 күн бұрын

You’re so welcome!

I love this sm! Thank you for sharing this ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

6 күн бұрын

I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. I appreciate hearing from you.

So glad KZread sent me here, this is so helpful - thank you ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

18 күн бұрын

So glad it was helpful and that KZread helped you find it!

This kind of reminds me of the spoon method. I think this theory could help people with adhd a lot from avoiding burnout.

@TowardsASimpleLife

4 күн бұрын

I've heard of the spoon method, but haven't used it. Someone else said that they have been using the spoon method, but this seemed to be a little bit more clear to them. I don't know about that, but I do know I'm glad John taught me how to do this.

I heard killer dots…. I like this, I’m keeping it.

@TowardsASimpleLife

14 күн бұрын

So glad you liked it! 😀😀

Thank you for making this video! Such a helpful method, I can't wait to put it into practice

@TowardsASimpleLife

6 күн бұрын

You are so welcome! I’m so glad John shared it with me and I’m happy I could share it with you.

What a delightful person you are! Thank you for sharing and helping me improve my life. God bless you and yours beautiful lady!💖👏🏼🙏🏼

@TowardsASimpleLife

14 күн бұрын

You are so welcome. I truly appreciate hearing from you. I’m glad you’re here!

Thank you so much. I had such a rough day at work today. This was so helpful. ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

12 күн бұрын

You are so welcome! I'm so glad it helped!

Love this!!! I got so much out of this video. It really resonates with me. Thank you so much. And thank you John!

@TowardsASimpleLife

2 күн бұрын

So glad! You are welcome. (And John would be happy to hear it’s going to be helpful to you.)

Just found you and I am thrilled! I seem to be in your same boat at 77. I will be listening closely and appreciate your insight!

@TowardsASimpleLife

29 күн бұрын

I’m so glad you’re here!!

Omg, thank you! I think this is really going to help me regulate so I'm not having so much wild swing trying to keep moving forward ❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 күн бұрын

I'm so glad! My favorite part is that I understand what is happening to me and can take breaks and slow down when I need to without feeling guilty. I know the ultimately, this is the fastest way back to green. It’s great to talk to you.

Just stumbled across your video, I’am currently struggling with long covid & dysautonomia almost 3years ! I found this video very helpful and informative, thank you

@TowardsASimpleLife

23 күн бұрын

Hi! I’m so glad it’s helpful to you. 3 years is a long time. It truly helped me - made such a big difference. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s better than it was there for a while. Learning how to do this has been key.

Also.....I fully appreciate this and I think that emotional things drain us more than we like to admit to ourselves and people who are empathic or sensitive on top of having health issues and high stress are easily impacted by day to day life especially when wild situations pop up! Have you ever heard of the workout witch? That's the name of her channel, She's here on KZread and teaches somatic exercises that release trauma stored in your body. I think doing these might help you or anyone to bounce out of any killer color dots levels that are lower than a vibrant green! Please please please check her out and look into these things because they have made a huge difference in my own life and I just know that if you give them a chance you will benefit from them greatly. ❤ Thank you for sharing this information! I have ADHD and cptsd and I am a widow with 3 kids .....I absolutely will benefit from the killer color dots! Thanks again XoXoX

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

Thanks! I’ll checkout workout witch and see what I think. I have to be careful with exercise because of my Fibromyalgia, but maybe it will work. Appreciate the recommendation. Hope you have a great weekend!

@sarahbliss8417

Ай бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife it's exactly perfect for you, try it!!! I hope you have a lovely weekend as well!!! ❤️

@laurenlauren4239

16 сағат бұрын

Thanks Sarah... somatic exercises keep being sent my way recently by KZread, so after your comment maybe its finally time to check them out! Love to you 💞

Great video! I use my celphone timer to take breaks and move around...its helping me not overdo. I am a long Covid hauler and after two years, i am actually changing my mindset from panicky to feeling grateful...i love your Dot process and actually follow it my mind where I am constantly checking up with myself... I stop when i realise any anxiety or stress setting in...

@TowardsASimpleLife

5 күн бұрын

Oh goodness… I was using a timer for a while and kind of forgot about it. It really helped. Thanks for the reminder. I’m glad to hear the Dot video is helping you!

@earthrooster1969

4 күн бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife so glad it helped and am happy to be the reminder the Universe sent you via myself 💝😃

I am feeling soo very blessed to have been gifted 💝 your kindness❣️ Thank you for your journey and for sharing it with us. So thankful for John’s too! 🤗

@TowardsASimpleLife

14 күн бұрын

Thanks Lisa! I’m so grateful for John too! He made such a big difference in my life.

Thank you so much for taking the time (and energy!) to make this detailed video! It was very helpful - and I'm thankful that it helped (helps) you, too. Appreciate it! Good video.

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

You’re so welcome Deb! I’m glad it will be helpful you. It has helped me so much that it’s difficult to express. It’s a blessing to you. Thanks for your support!

Fascinating! I am going to try this. Thank you for the information and explanation!

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

You are so welcome! ❤️

Thank you for sharing. I've been trying so hard to track myself. How I am feeling and doing. This simplies it. Looks easy and I will try it

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 күн бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Great video ❤ Meant alot to me. This fatigue ruins my life. 😢 But now I'm finding ways to manage. This is so helpful 😊 Thank you xx🎉

@TowardsASimpleLife

19 күн бұрын

So glad! I’m happy you found it!

I have cerebral palsy - thank you for this perspective!

@TowardsASimpleLife

5 күн бұрын

You are so very welcome!

What a brilliant system.

@TowardsASimpleLife

22 күн бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you for this. I really could use this in my life. I have my own disabilities yet I am still caring for 2 other people. I need this!

@TowardsASimpleLife

29 күн бұрын

I’m so glad it will be helpful to you. I’m grateful that John taught it to me and happy I can share my experience with others. Thanks for letting me know!

I love anything coloured. I hate anything violent.

@TowardsASimpleLife

2 күн бұрын

😀😀

Oh yes! I love this!

@TowardsASimpleLife

26 күн бұрын

Thanks!

I have fibromyalgia and work a very stressful job in mental health. Just getting over COVID. This was both interesting and upsetting because I recognize that I live mainly in yellow and red dipping into the purple several times a month. Green is pretty rare.

@TowardsASimpleLife

11 күн бұрын

Oh man… my heart goes out to you. So tough. I hope it’s helpful some that the dots will give you a language to think about and communicate how you are feeling. It’s done that for me. So now, instead of just telling my husband “I don’t feel good,” I can say “I’m feeling yellow” and he knows just what I mean. And I know what I mean by that. I had no idea how to explain how I felt before I met John. I hope you can find some way to take care of yourself when you need a break.

@leahrenea2709

11 күн бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife thank you. I'm going to try it out. Might show me how to make some changes. My son has fibromyalgia and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis so he is very understanding and supportive. Glad you have found a way to help your husband understand

Wow, wow, wow! I’d never heard of this system before. Thanks for sharing and I will give it a try. Subscribed 😊

@TowardsASimpleLife

22 күн бұрын

You’re welcome! Glad you found it. Have a great weekend!

Thank you, this was so helpful. I'm going to implement it and look for what my "stressors" are with my dots. Thank you for sharing what you have learned so that we can find help too. 😊

@TowardsASimpleLife

29 күн бұрын

You are so welcome! So glad it was helpful to you.

This is pretty astonishing to me. Thank you

@TowardsASimpleLife

2 күн бұрын

I hope it helps!

Thank you for this. I have fibromyalgia, too, along with other health issues. I think these killer dots will help me. I easily cross over from yellow to red, and I'd like to boost my awareness of yellow so I can decrease going into red.

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

Oh, I’m so glad to hear that it might help you! It has made such a difference to me because I learned that I regularly blasted myself into yellow and then ignored it and went red. Then I’d crash for days or weeks. I still have problems like getting ill really affects me as does extreme weather changes (drops in pressure are awful), but overall, I would say that the DOTS make me and my family more patient with my reality. So glad to talk to you!

Brilliant content, thank you for this.

@TowardsASimpleLife

Күн бұрын

You are so very welcome. Thanks for commenting!

Wow, incredible method. Thank You for sharing 💐💕 love your videos

@TowardsASimpleLife

Күн бұрын

You are so welcome! I truly appreciate that you’re here and watching. ❤️

I have had to learn to stop doing all of something just to get it done, because i have severe low back pain plus all over body pain, so big chores like sweeping the pool, i decide before hand what half i will do, do that half and just stop, might be break time, then either later that day or the next day, do the other half. I always say it's better than it was, or it's more done than it was.

@TowardsASimpleLife

2 күн бұрын

That is so wise. It's so important to learn when you need to break up chores.

Thank you so much for this video!!!! I’m in my 30s and I got long covid in 2022 and it’s been quite the life altering experience!! Energy pacing has been key and I think I will add this method to my regiment as well 😊thank you!!!

@TowardsASimpleLife

8 күн бұрын

Long Covid changed my life completely. I’m glad this will help!! 😀

School starts back soon and I teach PreK through 3rd...it's exhausting and so stressful because 'the system' just expects SO much and the students are veryyyyy high energy...it's just all really demanding and physically and mentally draining. I come home totally depleted. I want to implement this but there's no way I'll be able to do this at work because there is no taking a break...I have to keep pushing through. 😔 I feel like there's very little of me left. I definitely will concentrate more on getting proper sleep and improving what I take to school to eat this year!

@TowardsASimpleLife

3 күн бұрын

(former school teacher here!) Oh my... I can completely see why you feel that way. I think you have such a tough assignment because you always have to have "eyes" on the kids. It's so challenging. You do have to keep pushing through when you're in the building. You'll have to just do your best to take care of yourself when you're home and I would say, try not to be too demanding of yourself, Relax your standards and don't be perfectionistic. (This is coming from someone who has to work on this too.) If you are too tired to do anything, then don't do it. You can clean or do whatever it is later. Teachers are heros!

@marilynwashburn4480

3 күн бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife I definitely let more and more go, and I don't decorate like I used to. It gets me down sometimes, but it's also kind of "freeing"! 🥰 Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experiences with us! ❤️

@TowardsASimpleLife

3 күн бұрын

@marilynwashburn4480 I’ve really cut down on my decorating too. I am still decorating the shelves in my dining room but that’s been just about it. I’m wondering what I will do about Christmas. In one hand, I do love the decorations and had fun last year. In the other hand, I worse myself out. I guess we’ll all find out together what I end up with.

Killer dots! Killer dots! 😁👍🏻

@TowardsASimpleLife

4 күн бұрын

I love it too. I keep finding myself saying it.

Wow, I’m in purple way too often. This makes so much sense, thank you so very much for sharing.❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

8 күн бұрын

You are so welcome!

Love this simple idea . . . my brain is very taxed working at a crazy start up where they change the game plan almost every week. Very exhausting! My brain is tired with all the constant changes. I don't get down on myself because even the 30yr olds are brain tired and just don't work as hard. lol

@TowardsASimpleLife

4 күн бұрын

Wow, that sounds exhausting. I actually grew a start-up and it was a crazy time. I don't think I have the physical ability to do that now. I wish I'd know about the DOTS method then, though. I drove myself so hard that I got sick over and over and over... Yeah... don't get down on yourself.

Really glad this video popped up. I'm wary of tracking too much so I don't get absorbed in symptoms but seems a simple system.

@TowardsASimpleLife

13 күн бұрын

It is a simple system! I can't get into complicated systems either. I tend to do it for one or two days and then I'm out. This one works for me.

Wow, this is so me. I will have to review this vid. The basics are easy to understand, but I feel there is more there.

@TowardsASimpleLife

15 күн бұрын

So glad that you found it! If you have any questions, I’m happy to help.

Oh my gosh I need to share this with my family.

@TowardsASimpleLife

22 күн бұрын

😀

This was great! Thank u for sharing 😊

@TowardsASimpleLife

12 күн бұрын

You're so welcome!

Killer dots!! Easier to remember

@TowardsASimpleLife

28 күн бұрын

I just heard from John. He saw the video and liked it. I think the name Killer Dots amuses him and you’re right: it is easier to remember!

very helpful, thanks for making this video

@TowardsASimpleLife

23 сағат бұрын

You're welcome!

I really do need this. July 4 4 AM I was at the ER very high blood pressure trembling. When I left, I was healthy according to the doctor. it took a day and the Internet to realize I had had an anxiety attack. I definitely will be checking other episodes

@TowardsASimpleLife

15 күн бұрын

I’m so glad it was helpful to you. I think this method could help. It takes a little bit to get used to logging and you might forget sometimes, but just reconstruct what you can remember and move forward. Any record you make will be helpful to you. I’m starting to use the method to log something else, to see if it can get me past a problem. If it does, I’m going to do another video about what happened. It will be months before I know though. Thanks for saying hello!

Great video. I'm going to use these colors. I think it will be very helpful method of deciding to work or to rest.

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

Thanks Connie!! It sure helps me. Eventually I got to the point where I don’t have to mark up the calendar, but it took quite a while. I guess I’m a slow learner about myself. But now, everyone in the family knows what I mean if I say I’m in the yellow. Occasionally, Gary will tell me I’m pushing myself into red and I need to stop now. It makes it so much easier to communicate where I am with my health without anyone getting bugged about it. They would lots sooner help me stay in the green as much as possible.

Pushing through when you actually have COVID really brings the long COVID symptoms to your body. Thanks for this great system to heed the body's wisdom!

@TowardsASimpleLife

4 күн бұрын

Sometimes that is very true. When I got Covid (and early Long Covid), they were giving really bad advice and reommending these programs of improvement to work your brain. All that happened for me is that I blew my brain up (although, it may have happened anyway). I ended up getting Covid again last fall and my doctor gave me Palovid for it. It helped me quite a bit because it killed some virus cells that had been hanging around. I've read that it has helped other people with Long Covid. It did seem to stop it, but it didn't repair the damage. The DOTS help as much as anything I've tried and I'm learning some work-arounds for other things.

You've made good points about taking breaks and not feeling guilty for taking care of yourself. I'll definitely check in with myself more often because of it. I won't do tne jounaling because I really don't want to put extra focus on what I 'can't' or 'shouldn't' do. I believe what you focus on is what you get more of, like attracts like, sort if thing. Focusing on too many yellow/red/purple dots will beget more if the same -ymmmv. I'll just remind myself I can continue my task after a break or the next day if need be and it isn't procrastination. Instead, it's taking care of my health. Thank you for some extra insight and management.

@TowardsASimpleLife

24 күн бұрын

I think that maybe I didn’t explain the journaling well. I just wrote down the activities I did which enabled me to look back and remember what happened. Then I started to see patterns. It wasn’t a record of what I can’t or shouldn’t do. Instead, I learned what I can’t or shouldn’t do when I am fatigued or sick, because I hadn’t been taking care of myself well. I tend to forget from day to day what happens and what I did. I started to see that so often, I had ignored my body and had done too much and made myself worse. The logging was important to help me respect myself more. I don’t agree that focusing too much on /yellow/red/purple begets more. This is not obsessing on colors. It is educating yourself. Remember: I had Long Covid. I was very sick. Instead of resting and caring for myself. I had seriously overdone it which made me much worse. This is why there was such a long period of red and purple. It was not an obsession. It was a real illness that needed to be respected. Seeing the colors taught me a lot and helped motivate me to take better care of myself which eventually moves me back to green. It is not understanding yourself that makes things worse and the dots method helped trained me to respect the messages my body was giving me. For instance, I came down with a cold this week. I caught it at a restaurant. I have learned that if I want to get over viruses faster, I have to respect my body and give it time required to heal. I cannot rush it because rushing it actually extends the recovery period. My cognitive therapist watched this video and he said that he is astonished at the improvement I have made. The dots method was key. I learned it so well that I don’t have to make a log anymore because it taught me to listen and honor my body. Whenever I feel fatigue begin, I listen and take a break. It doesn’t take long for me to bounce back and I can go back to activity. I hope that helps!

Excellent Video.. Killer Colour dots.. for me Xx

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Thanks for sharing your strategies!! I have been using journaling to help manage my life, but had not thought to monitor my energy levels throughout the day. This makes so much sense to me!! Definitely adding this idea to my routine. For the longest time all I could do was track what I was doing without understanding the links between my activity and my results. The bullet journal method has gotten me quite a long way, but now I have killer dots too! I’ve been using Kuretake dot markers in a lot of different ways as I journal, and here’s a great addition!! Off to play with color in my journal, whee!!

@TowardsASimpleLife

23 күн бұрын

It seems to me that this would work perfectly in a billet journal. Good idea!

Thank you so very much for sharing this technique. I have tried so many and none of them have worked. This makes perfect sense and is simple. You mentioned that you had thrown away your handouts from your therapist. Perhaps he would allow you to share the handouts with us or post them himself. The handouts may help us in determining where we are in yellow/red. I also have fibromyalgia and find I get mentally overwhelmed easily on my harder days. A consistent standard would be helpful. I do love your clear explanation and you have a wonderful demeanor/personality. I am so glad I found your channel.

@TowardsASimpleLife

29 күн бұрын

You're so very welcome! I wish I could share the handouts (I really don't have them, because I threw them away quite awhile ago,) but they were his copyrighted information, so I really couldn't even share them if I still had them. The best way to get going with the DOTS is to just start and then, pay attention to how you feel. The more you log your state - being consistent - the easier it will get to tell how you are feeling and will know when it is time to stop and rest and when it's okay to do things. You'll get so you know when you are yellow/red/purple after you've logged for awhile. Promise. You'll also get better at figuring out what you can do to rest. I learned that just sitting and watching TV wasn't necessarily the answer for me. If you have a spouse or someone you live with, you could have them watch the video so they know what you mean when you start saying things like, "I'm in the yellow." All I have to do is say, "I'm in the yellow," and everyone knows they need to leave me alone because the sooner I rest, the sooner I'll be back in green and nobody wants me to get down in red and purple if they can help it. It gives you a common language rather than just saying, "I don't feel well," or "I'm having a bad day." I mean, what does that mean? But saying, "I'm in the yellow," or "I'm in the red," feels substantial. Hope that helps!

@TLB-g7c

29 күн бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife Very helpful, Thank you. I'll just keep going. This has really changed my perspective.

Very helpful THANK YOU

@TowardsASimpleLife

19 күн бұрын

You're welcome! Glad it helped!

Thank you for this! I’m new to the channel. Here’s my experience in hopes it helps someone else to feel less alone. I’ve always had ADHD, and depression as a result (at least partially.) I’ve always pushed myself hard during my “good times”, then I crash really HARD, physically and emotionally. I get headaches that last for days, muscle pain, exhaustion (the kind where getting food and showering is too much, and I get out of breath easily) which all leads to deep depression. I did get COVID at least once (one of the less serious strains.) For me it was like the flu, so I didn’t consider that to be a factor in my worsening symptoms, but I am now rethinking that. I have a way of downplaying my issues, especially when I compare myself to others that have things worse. Also, we had a very difficult move and many family crisis that have contributed to stresses on my body and brain. I’ve come to feel more and more brain dead and useless over the last few years. I’m on purple and red A LOT, leading to feelings of guilt, and constantly feeling obligated to apologize for my “deficits.” I’m in a complete fog most of the time, but have people depending on me, so I really beat myself up for not being more available for them. I’ve come to heavily depend on my adhd meds for the brief window of productivity that they give me (some days) and also caffeine and sugar. This obviously leads to worse cycles of overdoing it and then crashing and sometimes (more so recently) incapacitating anxiety. I refuse to up my meds, so I have to take frequent breaks from them (every few days) or I build up a tolerance. I’m going to try this method because, I now realize that the second I get to yellow, I start pushing. I’m also going to save this video as a way to explain my situation to others. It’s so hard with these “invisible” illnesses to feel “validated” and to NOT feel like I’m just making it all up. I’ve never had a doctor that has really taken the time to help me, and honestly I have stopped trying. I’m too tired and overwhelmed to even go to the doctor, if that makes any sense. ..especially if they are just going to tell me again that the tests are normal and i just need to try different depression meds. One Dr actually laughed at me years ago and gave me a sheet of paper with stretching exercises when I asked about fibromyalgia. That’s why I wanted to leave this (extremely long 😅) comment, in case my experience helps someone else to understand that,maybe, it isn’t all in their head. I have a tiny glimmer of hope again, when it comes to managing my energy, so thank you. And by the way, watching this video and writing this comment has exhausted me, lol. That’s how wrecked my brain has become. But there’s always hope, right!💪😁 To the creator of this channel, and anyone else in a similar situation, hang in there! You’re not alone!🥰

@TowardsASimpleLife

7 сағат бұрын

I'm sure you will have helped many people. There are so many out there feeling that way. I'm sorry that doctor was such an idiot about your Fibromyalgia. That's cruel and just shows his ignorance. If he was following the research, he'd know better. I'm grateful that John taught me this and it's an honor to be able to help other by sharing it. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us!

@IronicleseAndSardoniclese

6 сағат бұрын

@@TowardsASimpleLife Thank you for taking the time to read my comment and reply! I subscribed after watching this video and am going to be working through your other videos. Thanks for putting yourself out there and sharing what works for you!

@TowardsASimpleLife

6 сағат бұрын

@IronicleseAndSardoniclese so glad you’re here!

whoo-hoo congratulations on 10k subs! 🎉🎉🎆🎆🎶🎶🤗🤗💗💗🙏🙏🍕🍕

@TowardsASimpleLife

25 күн бұрын

Thanks! I’m kind of pinching myself here that it happened. It feels like a miracle to me. 😀 🙏

Helpful! Thank you

@TowardsASimpleLife

29 күн бұрын

So glad!

Love this!! Killer dots are so creatively useful! Also, I’m using an energy tracker called Visible. It job is to make invisible, illness, visible, but for me, it helps with pacing and also shows me which activities really take a lot out of me. I was shocked to see how much mental work saps my system even more than physical! I’m not affiliated with them, just wanted to share, because it’s another tool!

@TowardsASimpleLife

28 күн бұрын

Thanks! I’ll check into Visible to see what I think. Thanks for the recommendation. I always enjoy leaning more. 😀

Thank you for the explanation!! I think I should focus on “colored dots” instead of the other. I need to stay positive!! Blessings from Tx

@TowardsASimpleLife

29 күн бұрын

You are so welcome!

This s a very interesting idea! I am really interested in looking into it❤ might have to watch again to let the ideas sink in❤

@TowardsASimpleLife

Ай бұрын

I’m glad you liked it, Dusti!

Works for chronic fatigue also i think. Great idea. Alongside ‘spoon theory’👍👍👍👍

@TowardsASimpleLife

11 күн бұрын

Yes it does! It's a great tool for Chronic Fatigue too. So nice to meet you!