Cover image of I Didn't Do The Thing Today

I Didn’t Do the Thing Today

Letting Go of Productivity Guilt

Madeleine Dore

Avery (2022)

  • Emotional, Occupational
  • Book, Premium Content, Resource Summary

Key Takeaways

  • Redefine “a good day.” Your worth isn’t measured by completed tasks; it’s measured by how kindly you treat yourself and others.
  • Work with your energy, not against it. Embrace natural ebbs and flows; on flare-up days, creative micro-steps count.
  • Swap perfection for “delightful discipline.” Choose processes you enjoy (e.g., gentle movement, journaling) so follow-through feels rewarding, not punishing.
  • Balance by balancing. Instead of chasing a mythical work-life equilibrium, make small, real-time adjustments that honor symptoms, rest, and recovery.

The Essentials

Madeleine Dore dismantles the cultural script that equates productivity with value. She invites readers to notice how “to-do-list living” fuels anxiety, comparison, and relentless self-critique. By reframing productivity as a creative, flexible practice, Dore shows that rest, spontaneity, and connection are not detours but integral parts of a full life.

For people navigating Functional Neurological Disorder, these ideas are game-changing. Fluctuating symptoms can make rigid schedules—and the guilt that follows when they collapse—especially painful. Dore’s approach normalizes nonlinear days and offers gentle tools for responding to what your body and brain can do today.

Why This Matters for FND

FND often brings fatigue, cognitive fog, and variable motor control. This resource helps you:

  • Release perfectionism. Accept that symptom-driven pauses aren’t failures; they’re data guiding you toward sustainable pacing.
  • Cultivate creative flexibility. Simple swaps—like treating rest as a purposeful “splodge” of time—reduce flare-related guilt and conserve energy.

Resource Qualities

Applicability:

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Evidence-Based:

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Practical Applications

For Individuals with FND

Low-Energy Days

  • Pick one “splodge” (5-10 min) to do something soothing: stretch in bed, voice-memo feelings, or text a friend.

Building Long-Term Wellness

  • Create an “ebb-and-flow” plan: list 3 nourishing actions (e.g., pacing breaks, art, breathwork) and choose whichever fits your energy level each morning.

For Care Partners

Low-Energy Days

  • Replace “Did you finish…?” with “How’s your energy? Need a pause?” This language affirms fluctuating capacity.

Building Long-Term Wellness

  • Schedule your own “splodge” daily—ten guilt-free minutes to rest, read, or breathe, modeling healthy pace-setting.

When This is Most Helpful

  • Newly diagnosed: counters early overwhelm.
  • During flare management: offers guilt-free pacing strategies.
  • Care-partner burnout moments: reframes rest as productive.

This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. It is not intended to replace professional consultation or treatment. Always consult qualified providers regarding your specific circumstances, symptoms, or questions.

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