Hi again, I posted toward the beginning of the year about wanting more me/cfs friendly goals and how I made bingo cards to reframe my perspective on rest. It's been 4 months and it's going really well! 


Starting with a blank, black image but the following images are bright.


Here are some of the cards I've made this year and how well I did on each. I make them according to what level of ability I think I'll have that month with no pressure to complete every square. There's no reward system for completing a bingo but it's certainly something that could be done!


Benefits:
• I've reframed my perspective on aggressive rest. It doesn't feel like endless time doing nothing, it feels like an achievement.


• Connecting with friends. Two of my besties make their own cards too and it's a fun way to connect with their love of goal setting. Sometimes we share goals which makes me feel good.


• I'm more motivated. Between productivity trackers and my bingo cards, I'm much more motivated to lay down for a rest. Even if it's not perfect, going through the motions is better than nothing and helps me pace. And when I can't decide what kind of rest to do, it acts like a little menu.


• Little bursts of dopamine. It feels so good to cross off different squares. I typically design the cards with the ability to fill multiple squares with 1 activity for days I need that extra dopamine and motivation.


• It gives me something to do and something to look forward to. It's so much fun to create these cards and has become a end of the month ritual for me. An additional bonus is that it helps the passage of time not feel so blurry.



If you want to make your own:


• Keep pacing and rest in mind with your goals. If these goals are likely to make you push through fatigue or other symptoms, consider different goals.


• Make goals achievable! I've realized some of my year-long goals might not be attainable at my current severity but I'm not going for perfection. Which reminds me...


• Perfection isn't the goal! This helps me do things that are beneficial to me but obsessing over doing it perfectly and doing it all is not helpful.


• Repeat goals are totally fine. Simple goals are totally fine. Every square could say "Survive the day" or "Breathe" and that would be enough.


• Have fun! If this isn't fun for you, that's okay. We're all trying to get through this however we can. Do what works for you.



The final card is blank if you'd like to make your own. The one before it corresponds to an Insight Timer playlist called "Aggressive Rest Bingo." You may have to supplement with tracks you find on your own.

Bingo cards 4 month update