Try to take a day at a time.
I recall a Foxtrot comic strip where “Andy” the mother, was hiphip hooraying when the kids were back in school, and she didn’t feel one lick of guilt.
I’m going thru a semi-troubling time for now, so I try to focus on positive. Such as random stuff like not really wanting to watch the Hobbit but finally did on Redbox and was smitten for the actor who played Thorin. So I discovered a wealth of work he done in the past to cover my summer. (such as Spooks and Strike Back, just wow!)
Hang in there!
One thing I’ve done recently is kept a journal. I usually fill up a few pages and it gives me some time to reflect on my thoughts and emotions. Here is the best part. At the end of each entry, I have a spot for “Gratitude.” I write 3 things that I am grateful for that day. Usually, my parents occupy at least one of the spots. It helps put things into perspective for me and I find myself appreciating them more and more each and every day.
Also, music. Sometimes I just jam out and it’s hard to feel bad when you sing. I literally cannot get enough of Bay City Roller - Saturday Night. It’s impossible to sing that song and not be happy. Also, this song sounds appropriate for you right about now.
Other than that, just don’t give up. Try to improve yourself each and every day and give it your best. That’s all you can do.
Courage.
Are you me? My response is a gratitude journal and music. It might seem a little syrupy but when I do keep up with it I really do feel better about things. I try not to repeat any one thing in the same week. Even on my darkest days I can find something to be grateful for. It might be just that a stranger held a door for me, or I got a really good donut that morning.
I also take solace in a variety of creative activities but when things are pear shaped I don’t like to take supplies out and I feel like all my ideas are crap. I’ll find a song or two and listen to it on repeat until I feel like I understand it.
Time in nature helps me, too. Even if it’s just bird watching from my back deck.
I also post here a lot more when I’m having a tough time.
The Straight Dope gets me through times of no money better than money gets me through times of no Straight Dope.
Ditto. During my own tough spot recently, Cute Overload and comedies on Netflix streaming did a lot to help.
I’m sorry to hear about your chronic pain. I’ve had overwhelming pain in the past too, and it really does suck. Reaching out to others is a good idea - do local friends/family/coworkers know of good housecleaners or childcare providers? I know it’s hard to ask others for help, but it feels so amazing when they step up for you. Give them a chance. 
Best user name / post combination in thread.
I’m saddened by some of the remarks in this thread. Playing the ‘‘I have it worse than you’’ game is an endless exercise in futility, because there’s always someone who has it worse than you. When I’m really in rough shape, I try to remember that - the fascinating thing about life is that no matter how bad it gets, it could always be worse.
You say you don’t have time for things you enjoy, but I honestly think you must make time if you are to get through this rough patch. It’s all a question of priorities. I realize you have a lot of important things on your plate, but there’s some stuff you must do that can be put off for another day. If there ever were a time to let housework and yard work slide, it would be now. Spend as much time as possible in the moment, appreciating the little things. A cup of tea. A hot bath. A pretty clear blue sky. Try to remember all the little miracles we have every day.
For me, it’s been martial arts and music. I have suffered recurring bouts of depression and when I feel myself slipping into one, I increase my workouts. The endorphin release from hard exercise, combined with knowing that I am doing something positive to help myself and stay healthy, offsets the depression.
And my guitar and I have spent some sleepless nights together. I’ll focus on learning a new song or a new style and play until I’m exhausted and my fingers are bruised.
Breathe. Deeply. And for long periods at a time, that’s all I do. I concentrate on each breath and nothing else. Clears the chatter in my head and helps me reboot.
I also talk to the Great Spirit about what’s on my heart. And then I leave the conversation there. Outside of my husband, I really don’t verbalize my problems to anyone else…unless they can help solve them. Otherwise, I take solace in the fact that as long as I keep breathing, this will pass. No need for me to amplify their presence by talking about them to other people. Learned a long time ago that out of all the people you tell your problems to, half are secretly glad you have them and the other half aren’t really listening to you because they’ve got problems of their own. Ok, not literally, but you get the point, which is that there’s no point of complaining to other people who can’t do a thing to help you.
What I also find to be helpful when I’m particularly overwhelmed is getting outside of myself and my issues and reaching out to help someone else.
Some suggestions for you (and I hope you don’t mind me offering them):
**“Inconvenient house renovations that are taking forever to resolve” **Spend some time with someone who has lost her home and who lacks the comfort of even a bed and four walls of personal space.
"Work stresses." Talk to someone who doesn’t have a job. Really listen to their troubles and then try to help them look for work.
"Extracurricular project stresses (my partner’s)." Not sure what this means, but offer support to your partner without absorbing her/his stress. Do what you can and release what you can’t. As much as we love others, we also have to let them learn how to handle their own stress…especially when we’re at full capacity ourselves.
"Medical crisis (mine)." Volunteer at a children’s hospital. Look for ways to learn (from these little ones) how to smile at even the slightest bit of joy. Also, spend some time learning how to manage your mind, which can be hard to do when you’re in constant pain, but even the most mainstream medical practitioners agree that attempting to do so helps.
"Young kids now home for the summer." Reach out to a parent who has lost a child. If this isn’t immediately possible, read some of their stories…doing so will help you appreciate these years with your children more fully. You may find that slowing down, tuning distractions out and changing your perspective while endeavoring just to enjoy your children as you get to know them even better than you already do can be all the rejuvenation you need.
"House cleaner going away for weeks." Clean your own house. Really. I don’t mean this to be snarky, but involve your partner and your children in a regular housecleaning regimen. Will keep your house clean and help you feel more personally in control of your surroundings. Will also help children target their energy toward something that benefits the whole family. Pulling together and being organized can only help in the long run.
If all else fails, take the housekeeper’s salary and invest it in a vacation. You sound like you could use it, lol.
In all seriousness, it sounds as though you are too wound up in “self”, with what you want and with what you believe you lack to truly realize the goodness that’s all around you. Take a step back and adjust your perspective. Believe us all when we tell you that things could be far, far, FAR worse.
My best to you and yours!
This is an excellent suggestion. We are not having the world’s best time at our house lately either, and when school let out I arranged for my friend’s 14-year old daughter to come to our house two (sometimes three) days a week for five hours. She keeps the kids out of my hair while I work and feeds them lunch. When she goes home, they take a nap for a bit (I have two preschoolers).
It’s not the end of all of the stress in my life, but wow it helps. The kids are even better on days she’s not there - almost as though they run out a bunch of energy with her and then can be calmer on the other days.
We didn’t really have money for this (one of the stressors is that my husband has been out of work), but I decided it would be better to sacrifice something else for awhile and I found the money. She’s worth every penny.