Joy, laughter and great possibility…
Tag: Wellness
Musings on Life, Blogging and Choices
Thinking about a lot of questions lately, and already knowing the answers. Plus a little update on the future of the blog.
The Time I Lose To Managing Chronic Conditions
Chronic conditions are a full time unwanted job. There are hours each day that are dedicated to keeping me functioning – and I’m not alone in this unseen part of daily life. Today I’m shining a light on what you don’t see.
I Was Once Petrified of Hugs
It’s a strange thing when an action that is meant to be comforting becomes scary and unsettling. It was something I never expected to occur.
You Are Not Meant To Keep Your Foot On The Stepping Stone Forever
This blog may be my stepping stone – a little update on my blogging plans.
Your Medical Experiences Give You Skills Too
Why should we hire people with disabilities? What skills are they learning when they aren’t able to work? Answer: Great skills that EVERY organisation needs.
From Depressed To Blogger To Business Owner
A lot can change in a short amount of time when you choose what feels right and true to you.
Book Therapy – Between Two Kingdoms
This book did a good job of breaking my heart, and piecing it back together with gold glue.
Musings & Meditations – April 17 2022
“I was patient enough…”
@poetryofdhiman featured on the blog today!
Book Therapy – Grounded
In this Book Therapy post, we are exploring Ruth Allen’s book Grounded: How connection with nature can improve our mental and physical wellbeing.
The People Who Connect With Your Story Will Surprise You
It may be the most unlikely of people or in completely different circumstances, and that’s why it’s important to share – so someone else feels connected and seen and feels safe to say ‘me too’.
Permission To Rest
It’s time to give ourselves permission to rest – it is a vital part of our health and wellbeing.
Book Therapy – Calm
Calm book is the perfect companion and inspiration for mindful activities and is written by the co-founder of the super popular and my personal favourite meditation app, Calm.
The Reintroduction Process
As someone who has had to take extended periods of time away from the workplace, social and community situations, it can be a mixed bag of emotions when you are returning back into those spaces and amongst a lot of people. I’m sharing my thoughts on the reintroduction process today on the blog.
Standing Up To Stigma
It seems fitting to round up Mental Health month by focusing on the stigma that surrounds mental health. There is a lot we can do to make it easier for everyone if we tackle the issue of stigma.
What We Can Do To Support Mental Health
October is Mental Health Awareness month and here are a few things we can do to support mental health.
Book Therapy – Care: The Radical Art Of Taking Time
One of my all-time favorite people to recommend is Brooke McAlary and her new book, Care, helps us work out what to do when the world’s problems feel too big and we are burnt out from trying, and we need to restore ourselves so that we can continue to care for things.
Convalescing At The Coast
The best decision I have made for my health in years.
Taking A Break
The time has come for me to press pause on the blog and take some time out to recharge my creative batteries.
Book Therapy – Growing Up Disabled In Australia
Growing Up Disabled in Australia is a diverse anthology of the very best kind!
When You Don’t Know What You Are Missing
A few words on driving, medical conditions and compromises.
Musings & Meditations – May 12 2021
May 12th is International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) so here are a few words today in honour of the Lady with the Lamp.
Take Control Of What You Can – Your Environment
In the second instalment of Take Control Of What You Can Series, I’m talking about regaining control of an environment to make you feel happier, healthier and safer.
Musings & Meditations – May 6 2021
… and am free.
Using The Ring Theory For Your Kvetching Order
Imagine this: someone close to you is going through a crisis and you don’t want to say the wrong things to them, however you have your own worries that you need to release through conversation. Who is the best person for you to talk to?
There Is Always Laundry
It’s the mundane everyday tasks that can give us the most perspective.
Learning How To Describe Your Pain and Symptoms
Learning to become fluent with words that accurately describe the pain and symptoms you are feeling is one of the most helpful things you can do to create a positive working relationship and understanding between yourself and your medical professionals.
Book Therapy – There Is No Good Card For This
We have all been in that place where something awful happens to someone and we are petrified of saying the wrong thing or not sure how to help. This is where the book ‘There Is No Good Card For This: What to Say and Do When Life is Scary, Awful and Unfair to People You Love’ by Emily McDowell and Kelsey Crowe comes in to save us!
Just Because You Are Strong Enough To Carry It, Doesn’t Mean You Always Should
I hope you have people and places where you don’t have to be strong too.
A Word on Timing, Comfort and Change
There is something to be said for timing and usually we only see that something happens at the perfect time if it involves an obvious change or lesson, but even the things that we seek comfort from can come to us at the right time.
Who Is On Your Team?
As soon as things get tough, you know you are going to need a few people to lean on. Who is on your team?
What Do You Do While Everyone Else Is At Work?
One thing I am constantly being asked is ‘what do I do all day if I am not working?’. Here is a little insight into my daily life and health management.
Simple Practical Ways To Help Someone With A Chronic Condition
So you might not be much of a talker or know much about the medical world, but you want to help someone close to you? Here are a few practical ways to help someone with a chronic condition!
Have You Considered Mental Health First Aid Training?
We are all aware of the mental health campaigns urging us to check in with each other, to start the conversation about someone’s mental health… but do you know how to support and guide them to resources if they say “No, I’m not ok”?. What are the next steps to take? Do you feel confident to have that discussion? Read more about my experience completing the Mental Health First Aid course.
Take Control Of What You Can – The Online World
When chronic conditions start to infiltrate every part of your life, you can feel like you are losing control or have others make all the choices for you. This series is about regaining a bit of control in areas that are manageable and make a huge difference – starting with the online world! Read about how I changed my online experience from taking me for a ride to taking the wheel!
How To Use Breathing Meditations For Pain
Most of the time we don’t even realise that we are holding our breath when we are in pain. So when we are in the moment of pain and waiting for it to pass or ease, here are some neat little breathing meditation practices to try to relax our bodies.
My Favourite Meditation Resources
Following on from my meditation journey post, I thought I would share some of my favorite meditation apps, teachers and people!
My Meditation Journey
My journey with meditation had a lot of false starts and it was definitely a skill that once I started with the right intentions and reasons, I haven’t stopped and it has become the most valuable practice in my life. Read more about my meditation journey here:
The Daily Project That Sustained Me During My Most Difficult Year
I started the year with ideas and dreams for a project – but the year had other plans for me and my project.
Musings & Meditations – December 31 2020
May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.
A Healthier Way to Review The Year
It’s pretty hard to look back on a disappointing year, when nothing went your way and felt like a struggle to get through. From my experience from many tough years, here are a few things to keep in mind when reviewing the year.
The Days Are Long But The Years Are Short
2020 has been a strange year and a lot of us have struggled with the notion that our perception of time has changed. This is a very similar experience to when you have a chronic medical condition. Read more here!
Present Ideas for People with Medical Conditions
Buying presents for people with chronic conditions can sometimes be a little tricky. Here are some suggestions that are fail-safe to bring your loved ones some joy and comfort this festive season!
Book Therapy – Notes On A Nervous Planet
Matt Haig is a brilliant writer and human being who is constantly investigating and questioning the effect of modern life on our mental health. He is a huge advocate for mental health wellness, and has shared his experiences through his multiple fiction works and his non-fiction books.
Places To Go At Your Own Pace
Today’s post is all about inspiration for places to explore which let us go at our own pace and don’t drain our energy.
Managing Celebrations With Chronic Condition
Anyone with a chronic condition can tell you that going to celebrations or large events can be quite challenging and exhausting. With some careful planning and sensible self care, we can make the event much more enjoyable and last longer than Cinderella before the carriage turns into a pumpkin!
Maybe She’s Born With It
So often we can fall into the trap of assuming that someone is naturally gifted with skills, habits and traits. But what if they weren’t born like that and worked hard to be that person?
The Danger of Setting Completion Dates For Things We Can’t Control
I have learnt that time and expectations are two very dangerous things to try to predict and manage. Now we are all learning that with COVID-19 too.
Tips For Booking Appointments
I’ve had a lot of medical appointments over the years and I have learnt a few tips from my experiences and from the medical practitioners and their staff.
Managing Both A Chronic Condition & An External Crisis
Being in pain or managing a chronic condition while also having an external crisis play out in front of you, can really add to the stress and therefore the symptoms that you manage. From my own experiences, here are my suggestions for managing both a chronic condition and an external crisis.
Lady In The Lighthouse 