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I can hear you thinking what on earth do tomatoes have to do with Long Covid? Do I need a basket of tomatoes? Are tomatoes the miracle cure? And does size really matter?
Islands, Hidden Tides and Magical Boundaries
In this case yes size does matter, size can have significant implications for your life. So, what on earth am I talking about, has cognitive dysfuncation taken a menacing tomato-like turn? It is something called the Pomodoro Method. I first heard this in a discussion between the writers Madeline Miller and Susanna Clark in this video (at 33 mins)
These authors and their writing are relevant to Long Covid as both have experience with energy limiting illnesses. Madeline Miller has Long Covid and has written some eloquent threads about her experience. Susanna Clark after her debut novel Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell experienced the profoundly disabling illness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and was cast into the wilderness for some time.
I tend to listen to an inordinate number of audiobooks as it is the one thing that I can do without energy dispersion. Although the book was published in 2018 before Miller got Long Covid, Circe is prophetic in its own way, of a woman caught in her own restrictive magic circle within the strict boundaries of the island of Aiaia. A restraint that is often felt when the body cannot follow the will of the mind. I must admit I am a total fangirl of this book, its simile dance and evocative feelings conjured by the first-person narrative is captivating.
Piranesi, which won the Women’s Prize in 2021, is a world caught within tight boundaries, again of magical means. Even though the House is infinite, a parallel world composed of halls and vestibules, it is a place separate, a place parallel and a place that is lonely and boundaried. It conveys an isolation with only the rhythm of the tides for company. Interestingly an inspiration for the book came from the artist, Piranesi, who produced a series of 16 prints entitled’ Imaginary Prisons’, something which Myalgic Encephalomyelitis can feel like.
Image credit: 'Circe' John William Waterhouse
Tomatoes Ho!
Anyway, this is a digression from the focus of this piece which is tomatoes. The Pomodoro Technique is one of time management. It relates specifically to pacing, which is vital to manage the tight boundaries of energy limiting illness. Those who experience PEM, post exertional malaise, are all too familiar with the electric fence that limits our lives. This fence can be as close as circling our bed to maybe a few miles away - but the fence is there regardless of severity. Staying within this boundary without torturing ourselves by hitting the fence is critical to maintain what small vestibules of health we have. What is so unique about the Pomodoro Technique is that it gives a form, a shape, and a slightly silly association. It gives us the opportunity to think of our time in tomatoes.
This method was developed by Francisco Carilli in the 1980s, an Italian student at the time. He used a tomato timer to break work down into doable chunks. The aim of this was to increase productivity. Yet it can be adapted to any exertion or activity for those with Long Covid or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. It also has value in neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD. Knowing our ideal length of focus, our safe energy bite, can help us stay within the electric fence. It is also beneficial for children and young adults as it brings an aspect of fun and silliness to the very serious subject of post exceptional malaise.
This is a description of the original technique, which has 6 steps.
1. Decide on the task to be done.
2. Set the pomodoro timer (this was originally 25 minutes).
3. Proceed with the task.
4. When the timer rings finish what you are doing and take a break.
5. If you have finished fewer than three pomodoros, go back to step two and repeat until you go through all three pomodoros.
6. After three pomodoros are done, take the fourth pomodoro and then take a long break typically 20 to 30 minutes. Once the long break is finished returned to step two.
Image credit: Study Smarter.
The Pomodoro Method is based on flow and focus and aims to keep one in a flow state where one can be most productive by taking breaks. What is valuable about this method is that it recognises the importance of rest even if you are able bodied. In this capitalist all pelt world where the faster, stronger, harder more mindset looms over us it is worth remembering that rest, space, daydreaming and simplicity have their place and are as valuable.
As I write this I can feel the fence looming so I’m off to take a break!
GM tomatoes - generally modified
Yet, we can see that the standard method is not ideal for somebody with post exertional malaise. But with some creativity and tomato adaptions it is perfectly possible to move forward with this method. What can be helpful is to imagine your own personal basket of tomatoes, each one a different size to match your exertion task.
It is important to recognise that different levels of activity require different tomatoes. With some practise and experimentation, you can find the perfect length of time for different exertions. Say for example you want to look at your phone, a realistic tomato time might be 15 minutes, whatever works for you. The adapted form might go something like this.
1. Decide on the exertion.
2. Choose the perfectly sized tomato from your basket.
3. Set your tomato timer - this can be physical or there are digital pomodoro timers online.
4. Stop your exertion when the timer goes.
5. Rest and decide if you have another tomato in the tank or if this is enough.
Unlike the able bodies in the muggle world we might need tomatoes for even the most perceived simplest task like standing up, sitting up having a conversation, a bath, sunlight. Yet with practice and experience we can create our own safe magic circle around us, away from the nasty electric fence. For those of us who can work at times then having a set time frame like Susanna Clark does for her writing can be invaluable.
In the context of other human beings, the Pomodoro Method can be useful in giving a physical time bite that others can recognise. Once others know your time boundaries they can hopefully understand and give you that space. We all know how difficult it can be to retreat from people to say that we can't, to say no. Especially for activities that seem so simple to other people. Yet it is imperative to stop this time banditry of people taking what we don't have. And yes, this includes the medical profession!
Image Credit: ‘Time Bandits’ by Terry Gilliam.
Yet it is also realising that this process is not easy and can be frustrating as lurking in the background resources of the mind are the memories of things that we used to be able to do without a second thought. We must deal with the epistemic injustice of the fact that post exertional malaise is not well recognised in the medical world. It is hard to explain and even family and friends can often not really understand the all-pervasive impact it has on a person’s life.
So, if you feel that this technique can help you give a form to what can seem ineffable, please adapt it as you wish. Harvest your basket of tomatoes and I wish you at some point in the future world record-breaking massive tomatoes where you can be active to your hearts delight.
The largest tomato in the world - Giganatom or Steakhouse.
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