Many of us have been in a winter season in life. It has been dark and cold for a long time. We have been desperately ill and alone. We have snuggled up in our cozy sweats and hunkered down where it feels a bit safer. We have learned to chill, to relax and find a glimmer of hope and an ounce of joy. Today is National Women’s Day. For some of us, it is time to tear back the layers from the winter, come out from hiding, and be exactly who we are, real people on a wellness journey.
Continue reading Women Everywhere, Reveal Yourself Wherever You AreTag: chronic illness perspective
Making Time and Space for Quiet
Our modern culture is usually filled with activity and noise. Do we know how to sit in quiet? I mean no noise except what naturally occurs around us. Can we do it? What could possibly be the benefit of quiet when the world culture has become so loud?
Continue reading Making Time and Space for QuietHow To Roll With Valentine’s Day For The Chronically Ill
Did you remember to wish yourself a happy Valentines Day? During chronic illness, we have got to remember to love on ourselves, a bunch. On this Valentines Day, my hope is that everyone who is chronically ill gives themselves some extra loving!!! Then, I hope each and every one of you reach out to someone else who may need encouragement, just because it is a loving thing to do. Let’s see who ends up feeling loved on Valentines Day. Gotta roll with what we have (not with what we don’t have).
Continue reading How To Roll With Valentine’s Day For The Chronically IllWarming Your Heart for Valentine’s Day
I’m sick, I can’t be warm and cuddly for Valentine’s Day. I’m chronically ill, it has worn me thin so I have nothing left to give. I don’t have anyone to warm my heart for, why bother? I know, Valentine’s Day can be a stinger while we are chronically ill. While dealing with the endless illness battles and disappointments our hearts can become frozen and lifeless. That’s why anyone who is ill may need a little lovin’ warming up…
Continue reading Warming Your Heart for Valentine’s DayIt’s a Snow Day – Enjoy, Even During Illness
Snow days can be super fun days for the chronically ill. Okay, so maybe not if you live in Alaska. I am talking about those of us who get the rare snow days. During chronic illness, that kind of contrast can create a really fun experience. It is the change, the excitement, that can get our attention. Anyone who has been ill for years knows how monotonous it gets. Just when we want to scream of boredom from the illness situation, a winter storm can be one of the most fun things to happen all year. And it takes no effort to experience it. You can do this one from bed if need be.
Continue reading It’s a Snow Day – Enjoy, Even During IllnessIt’s Cold Outside Baby, Persevering Illness In Winter Season
Winter is just a season, it comes and a few months later it goes. Chronic illness can be like a winter season in our lives, not a permanent condition. So… when will chronic illness GO? Most of you are done with it! Over it! Ready to get back to life!!! Persevering through illness is really not much different than the winter season we see outside. Put on your winter coat and walk this out with me…
Continue reading It’s Cold Outside Baby, Persevering Illness In Winter SeasonLove Note to Self In Moments of Victory
When you are in the joy of victory, take a moment to write yourself a love note. When we have moments of victory during chronic illness, we can use that for days to come when it is not so glorious. Chronic illness is not one big victory, it tons of smaller ones. The victories are hard to remember when we are in the really bad days (or weeks, even months or years) of illness. Love notes to ourselves is a beautiful way to remember, to feel the hope of past victories to help us keep walking through some of the darker days.
Continue reading Love Note to Self In Moments of VictoryNew Year, New View
Every January I am reminded that I get a new chance, kind of like a reset button on my views. We need a lot of new chances because being so ill for so long is such a bizarre experience. You know what it is like, we can easily get lost in the trees and not see the forest. The beginning of each year is like getting to pull all the chaos of chronic illness into meaningful movement. Come on, let’s find the light of hope and move through the trees of chronic illness…
Continue reading New Year, New ViewNot A Better You, Better View of Victory
Have you beaten yourself up enough for being chronically ill? Are you ready to view illness in a different way? Are you ready to see the victories? You don’t need a better you, there is nothing wrong with you, exactly like you are. A better view of victory sure seems like a more productive way to move through chronic illness.
Continue reading Not A Better You, Better View of VictoryCozy Up – Hygge
You made it through Christmas Day!!! That is not an easy feat when one is chronically ill. Sure, the holiday might not have turned out as you expected but just maybe it turned out better. Maybe you found a comfy place inside yourself that said, “All is good” regardless of whatever. Let’s celebrate the victory, no matter how it turned out. It is a victory simply because it is the day after and you are still here, still making your way through the wellness journey. Let’s cozy up and enjoy it.
Continue reading Cozy Up – Hygge