Thank you again to Robert (A 30 Minute Life) and Jen (Tripping Through Treacle) for nominating me for this incredibly uplifting and inspiring quote challenge! The written word has the power to uplift and inspire, and can help us to remain resilient during the darkest times. This challenge is a perfect chance to remind me of so many of the beautiful quotes that can help to turn on the light when times are darkest.
The rules of this challenge are as follows:
Thank the person who nominated you
Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day)
Share why this quote appeals to you
Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day
And the final quote for this challenge is:
[Tweet “Everyday may not be good, but there’s something good in every day”]
The quote again is one of my favourites and one I am continually reminding myself of, on the many rough days that I experience because of chronic illness and chronic pain, the two constant companions in my life. On these dreadful days, days where we are unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel, it is easy to forget the many pleasant things that make up our life away from constant illness and pain.
At the end of these crummy days, it is so easy just to write off this day as terrible but in my experience, our days are never just wholly bad or good. There is always something to be thankful, every day there is something good, as small as it may be, in every single day, no matter how horrendous we may have felt.
That is why the above quote appeals to me and is vital in my everyday life; it makes me appreciate the small, amazing moments in my life amidst even the bad.
Thank you so much again to Robert (A 30 Minute Life) and Jen (Tripping Through Treacle) for both nominating me for this quote challenge! The written word has the power to uplift and inspire, and can help us to remain resilient during the darkest times. This challenge is a perfect chance to remind me of so many of the beautiful quotes that can help to turn on the light when times are darkest.
The rules of this challenge are as follow:
Thank the person who nominated you
Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day)
Share why this quote appeals to you
Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day
Today’s quote:
[Tweet “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”]
This quote immediately came to me, especially after sharing an old post that I wrote two years ago. We have all been in the position in which other people have hurt us, either by their actions or by their words. When living with a chronic illness, there are many ways in which I and others who’ve been hurt by the actions or words of other people.
One such example is by being ostracised or excluded from social engagements, and although many of these many instances may not be intentional, it doesn’t nevertheless lessen the hurt. When our conditions are invisible, many people may even doubt your illness, which when you continuously suffer from debilitating symptoms, it can hurt even more than any symptom can. But, just as the quote above states, those who matter are the ones who believe us even when every test fails to provide any answers. The ones who matter are those who are always there for us whenever we need a shoulder to cry on, in need of help around the house or need groceries or other essentials we’re unable to get ourselves.
Those who doubt us exclude us or hurts us don’t matter, and we should only concern ourselves who do.
Anyone who knows me will know that I love quotes and positive affirmations to remind me of the beauty that exists in the world despite the darkness and all of the terrible atrocities that happen all around the world. As someone living with chronic illness and who regularly struggles, bombarded with many different symptoms, quotes are a helpful reminder that there is still good that exists in my life, and the bad days will pass, making room for days full of joy and positivity!
The rules for this challenge are as follow:
Thank the person who nominated you
Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day)
Share why this quote appeals to you
Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day
[Tweet “For I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship”]
‘Little Women’ has always been one of my favourite novels, having read since I was a young girl. This beautifully written novel has always spoken to me, being able to relate to the struggles of each of the four siblings at different times of my life.
It has always been one of my favourite quotes from ‘Little Women’ book, serving to remind me that although storms elicit panic and fear, these are the conditions that we often learn the most.
For me, living with a neurological condition, the many challenging flares that I’ve experienced has only sharpened my awareness of the coping strategies that best help manage the symptoms, and in turn, helping when the inevitable next flare strikes, making the storm less severe, and me better at handling the rough waves.
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.
Welcome to the eighth day of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge hosted by WEGO Health. Every day during the month of November I will be writing a new blog post related to health and living with a chronic illness based upon given prompts provided by WEGO Health.
Today’s prompt reads:
Favourite Fridays. Make a list of 3 favourite quotes
I absolutely adore this prompt as I am a lover of positive quotations; they are uplifting and a lovely reminder of what good there is still in the world when illness seems to get in the way of enjoying life. In fact, I am such a lover of such positive quotes that I have started my own positivity board in my bedroom which has some positive quotes, which I love. So, what are my 3 favourite quotes?
My Top 3 favourite quotes:
And here is my ‘Positivity Board’
What are your favourite quotes? Fee free to comment below…
