I was inspired to write this new blog post after reading a particular article from ‘The Huffington Post‘
The article was regarding recent research by the biscuit brand go ahead! to find out what really makes people in Britain happy.
Surprisingly, what topped the list was not extravagant things The list was compiled however by simple pleasures walking in the sunshine which topped the list as well as other feel-good pleasures such as getting into fresh bed sheets, having a cuddle from someone and listening to your favourite song as examples.
Reading the article, made me think of life with chronic illness. Often when living with a chronic illness, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia for example, we are constantly looking for the next big successful outcome or achievement to make us feel-good or give us a sense of peace. I know when symptoms are very bad, I know that I feel miserable, and only imagine myself only being happy again if I were to be miraculously cured or the severity of the symptoms subsided. Day-to-day we are often too focused on our symptoms and the negative effect that they are having on us not only physically but also psychologically and emotionally.
We therefore forget to focus on the small pleasures that make us happy and take us out of ourselves; the forget the negative situation that we find ourselves in and to find happiness in what is around us.
So, I have decided that I would write my own personal list of my own feel-good pleasures that makes me happy:
Reading my favourite book
Receiving a handwritten letter
Looking at colourful butterflies
Receiving flowers
Getting into fresh bed sheets
Watching my favourite film
Receiving a lovely comment on a blog post I have written
Finding a lovely present for someone
Receiving a hug from someone
Seeing a rainbow
Being wrapped in a warm blanket especially on cold dark evenings
Receiving an unexpected phone call from a friend
Being pampered, e.g. a massage or a trip to the hairdresser’s
Applying colourful nail polish on my nails
As things haven’t been good recently, I have decided to give myself a lift by painting my nails a vibrant colour! pic.twitter.com/ySMjvjokEK
Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists. Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.
The prompt reads as given:
“These are a few of my favourite things”…It may not be brown paper packages wrapped up in string or warm woollen mittens, but what are some of the things you love? What couldn’t you live without?
I have a lot of things in my life which I love – my friends, family and my pet dog Honey are at the top of that list but as I have written about them numerous times already, I have decided to concentrate on the things that I love which provide me with comfort on the bad days and helps me to stay positive.
First of all is a pair of comfortable pyjamas. I have a pair in which the bottoms are chequered and a simple pain black top. It is great to have a comfortable pair of clothing to keep near the bed, as whenever I am stuck in bed due to my condition I still am able to change into something clean as an alternative to staying in the pair of pyjamas that you have had on all night! It is also convenient for those days in which you have no energy to be able to pick out an outfit and are planning to stay at home anyway. The pyjamas that I have kept for those many bad days, look more like lounge wear than conventional pyjamas so is less embarrassing if the postman knocks on the door to sign for a parcel!
Another favourite of mine to keep next to my bed is definitely my iPad. When stuck in bed, it can be extremely monotonous and dull. Therefore, I love my iPad as it keeps me entertained with a variety of different apps to use to suit my mood. For instance, there is the Kindle app for when I fancy to lose myself in a book, or even Netflix when spoons are nonexistent that all I have the energy for is to watch a television programme or film that requires little thought involved to enjoy, or sometimes watching videos of cute and adorable dogs on YouTube to cheer myself up when stormy clouds appear, blocking all sunshine and positivity in my life. I am even able to stream the many number of films and television programmes that I own from iTunes which can keep me entertained for hours. Then there a number of games that I have downloaded to the tablet computer; a great distraction from pain and dizziness that seems to plague my life so much. In my opinion, tablet computers are a must-have gadget for spoonies – it is easy and light to carry and can easily be used in bed, and the features that are available on tablets such as the iPad mean that you never have to be bored whilst stuck in bed again!
One thing I have learnt about living with a chronic illness is how important it is to have a relaxing place to recuperate. These not only brighten my bedroom but also puts a smile on my face
Above my bed, I have just placed some butterfly LED lights, which is now another one of my favourite things. As many of you know, I love butterflies and have many accessories and pieces of clothing which has butterflies all over them. When I saw these in a local shop, I thought they would make a lovely addition to my butterfly themed sanctuary. Not only do they brighten my room and provide light, for when I am awake with painsomnia (for explanation of term see my series of the ‘A to Z of Chronic Illness‘) but they just put a smile on my face when recuperating in my quiet, relaxing space at home.
Some of my favourite letters and cards 🙂
I treasure all of the cards and mail that I have received from numerous friends. Their beautiful words and lovely sentiments never fail to bring a smile to my face and cheer me up when feeling low. These are perfect to read again and again, especially when suffering a relapse or flare in your condition. Letters from friends, or relatives remind you that you are not alone and that there are people who care when it can often feel that you are alone. One of my favourite letters is one I received from the extraordinary young woman ,Jodi Ann Bickley, who after suffering from ill-health herself established ‘One Million Lovely Letters‘; a project in which she writes letters to those who need a lift, whether it be because of illness, a breakup or bereavement. The letter is gorgeous; with beautiful meaningful words and complete with glitter and sparkle. The letter means so much as it is a reminder that I am so much more than my condition, and how I am not alone in the fight against my condition. It is a perfect antidote to a bad day due to my neurological condition.
Some goodies from ‘The Itty Bitty Book Company’
Another item that brings me comfort is the little items that I have bought from the wonderfully positive company ‘The Itty Bitty Book Company‘. This small and ethical company promotes positivity through using inspirational and motivational quotes in little books, prints, cards and even badges. The quotes are all ones which I love and find helpful during times of struggle; I often take them to hospital appointments to help give me strength and positivity. The designs are also truly beautiful and the bright colours makes me instantly smile.
Positivity Board – full of hope and inspiration
Another favourite thing of mine, is actually something that I created and that is my positivity board. It has everything that inspires me and keeps me positive despite chronic illness – letters from friends as well as cards that I have bought with inspirational and positive quotes on such as “Life isn’t about waiting for storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain” and “Everyone wants happiness, nobody wants pain, but if you want a rainbow you need a little rain”. It is these quotes and the idea of the positivity board which really helps in keeping me inspired and positive despite all the trials and tribulations that comes with the symptoms associated with my neurological condition. Recently, I have found some ceramic shapes that also has lovely and positive quotes on them and as I have not go much space in my bedroom to hang them, I have therefore decided to place them in my comfort box and get them out when I am having a rough day because of how I am feeling or stuck in bed due to the weakness in legs. These items are a great reminder that no matter how life may be tough in the present, there are still many more good moments to come; they inspire and uplift me when life with chronic illness becomes too hard to bear. They help me remain a positive person and that are why they are part of my favourite things and carefully placed in my comfort box.
Today’s prompt is all about giving thanks for what we are grateful for; or what we are excited about or inspired by. Thought I would cover all three!!
I am grateful for…
Firstly, I would say that I am grateful for the good days that I do have. The good days seem to be rare these days, but I am grateful for when they do come around. Having some many bad days, and feeling unwell, fatigued and weak; as if though if everything is an effort; so when good days present themselves, boy are you grateful!! Having a little more energy to do chores, legs being stronger, and not as dizzy is a real blessing; and means that I can accomplish more and manage to have a little bit of fun!!
My new wheelchair: I am giving thanks to this new mobility aid, as it will enable me to be able to get out of the house a lot more, and more importantly it will enable me to stay out for longer. Before I acquired the wheelchair, I was only able to go out for short periods of time due to the severe weakness in my legs, and especially as they give way if I am on my feet for very long. Therefore, much of my time was spent in the house, much of the time alone. Now I have the wheelchair however, I can go out for full day trips taking in shopping, or local tourist attractions. Looking forward to it!
My family and my dog!: They have to be the biggest thing that I am grateful for – whenever I am unwell or feeling down, they are always there to pick me up and comfort me. If I need something or need to go somewhere then they my parents will pick what I need up when they are out, or take me to appointments or wherever I need or want to go. They are all simply the best!
I am inspired by:
Other bloggers: I love to read other bloggers and health activists blogs. Every one that I read are truly inspiring and shows a lot of strength and courage to spread awareness of their particular condition, as well as talking and discussing the painful or unpleasant symptoms that each of us face. It would be so easy to just simply hide away and curl up in the duvet when chronically sick, but all health bloggers and health activists want to make people more aware and to understand their particular health condition (or the condition their loved one is faced with) and to provide support to those who are also living with the same condition – truly an altruistic act!
Reading – I absolutely adore reading – especially as my mobility problems have become worse and cannot move around as easily, so is truly blissful to be able to snuggle up with a great book. Love those books that are able to transform you to different worlds, or experience other cultures – sometimes it’s as if you are taking a holiday without leaving your home!
Nature: I love how beautiful nature can be – the bright bold colours of flowers such as sunflowers or peony daisies, the different patterns and colours on butterflies. Research has also found that flowers can actually reduce depression! Now if that isn’t a great reason to buy some flowers for a sick friend, I don’t know what is!
I am excited by:
I absolutely adore the writer Jodi Picoult and actually own every one of her 19 books, so one thing that I am definitely excited about is the release of her latest novel, usually released in March or April every year. I always pre-order the latest release, and look forward for when the book gets delivered to me so I can start to devour it!
I get excited sitting down and relaxing in front of my favourite television programmes – it feels like an event, and particularly love the American TV dramas such as CSI, Grey’s Anatomy and Bones.
Volunteering – I enjoy and get excited by going down to volunteer at a local mental health resource centre every week, and feels really worthwhile giving a few hours of my time to help others
A few of my favourite things!…
What are the 3 things that you are thankful for, or inspired by or those things that get you excited?
Welcome to the second post in the WEGO Health Blog Carnival. Today’s prompt says the following:
List time! Write 5-10 of your favourite things about your health community. Celebrate their uniqueness and be sure to tell us why those are your favourite things.
Today’s prompt asks us to reveal a few of our favourite things regarding our health community in a Sound of Music style!
What would be some of my favourite things regarding my health community as a whole?
Well number one would definitely be that I feel the community that I am a part of is that the people are much more understanding and less judgemental. Living with an invisible chronic illness makes you far more understanding of others and their circumstances, and less judgemental of certain behaviours or symptoms exhibited which healthy people may see as being odd. This is a really positive attribute not only for health activism but for life in general. And I believe that living with a chronic illness also teaches tolerance. Often people are suspicious and fear those who are different to themselves, those who are not congruent with the image that one holds of themselves. However, those who are chronically ill or disabled are brought together with an understanding of the difficulties experienced and which cannot be broken by those which more commonly divide – such as colour of skin, race, nationality, gender and so on. We are our own community, our own little family.
Another thing I love about the community is having to use time effectively – I used to procrastinate all of the time, always putting off chores until tomorrow. But now, as I never know how I will feel from a day-to-day basis I need to complete chores or tasks that need to be done when they arise, as I may not able to do them tomorrow. Also, comes in handy when I am able to go shopping – hated those days when Mum and I would spend endless hours trawling through different stores. This for me, and many others is now longer an option, so now am only able to go in and get what I need as quickly as possible, not wasting any time and not depleting my minimal energy. Then I have more time to spend on the things that I love (and able to complete without pain or fatigue) such as reading, writing, or simply watching my favourite feel-good film. Having time for ourselves is so important when living with a chronic health condition, important for our psychological well-being and great to do something that we enjoy during periods of remission or feeling well.
Another thing I love about my community is how everyone now embraces technology and social media. These new technologies and social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, allows us all to stay connected with each other, posting comments of support through the bad times and send congratulatory messages during the good times. Many people assume the Internet is used for bad, and is a force for negativity and evil, such as ‘trolls’ sending messages of hate to others. However, the Internet can be used for good, it can be a positive form of communication. For me, and many others within the health community, going out of the home proves to be very difficult and so using the internet and the different social media that exists as well as support forums makes it possible for much-needed social interaction. And has an even more beneficial use if you take into account rare conditions such as mine, in real-life it may be very unlikely to meet anyone with the same condition but the Internet may make it possible to connect with the same condition. One group I participate in even uses Skype for group chats with members, which brings us all closer together and provides a more interactive experience.
The next point, I would say I love is being able to gain practical support from my health community. Often I find myself not knowing the best solution to a problem that I am experiencing; so asking others and brainstorming ways around the problem to find an effective solution which may even lead to more productive and independent life. And another great thing about being involved within the health community is the reciprocity – learning different tips and tricks on how to cope and overcome different obstacles and passing these onto others! Sharing information is so important in terms of health advocacy.
And the last thing what I love and think is great about my health condition – is that we are all unique and special in our own ways. Just like a snowflake, no two patients are alike and each exhibiting a different set of symptoms. Everyone is beautiful and special.
Hope you enjoyed the post – feel free to leave any comments….
