Chronic Illness Humour

Lately my favourite thing to do with any spare time when I have the spoons is go to a nearby park, park close by so I have minimal steps, and sit and enjoy nature. 🌿 ☀️

It’s something I used to not be able to do often, and I’m so lucky to have improved enough where I can do it a few times in a week. I often bring a book, or listen to an audiobook while lying down, if I want to really minimize the energy I’m using. 🔋

What’s an activity you enjoy doing that doesn’t take up too much energy or make you flare? ✨

3 things I do that help me keep calm and communicate my energy levels and needs to others!

Reminding myself that sometimes being ill means that I need to rest, even when I don’t want to. But I’m trying to frame rest as something that helps me, like taking medication, and something that will help me feel better.

There is NOTHING wrong with spending spoons on fun things, like a spontaneous sweet treat on a Wednesday! It’s so easy to feel like we have to spend energy being productive, but being able to get outside and just enjoy the day is just as valuable ✨

Being in law school part time with M.E. is really difficult, but with medications I’ve managed to improve from severe to mild, and keep my baseline relatively stable.

4 things really help me maintain my baseline

1. 2 Hour rest breaks 3-5 hours into my day with eye mask on, and no noise except maybe a light podcast at 0.7 speed

2. I take 6mg Low dose naltrexone and 0.6mg abilify which have been game changers in giving me the energy to study as much as I need to

3. I have frequent phone calls instead of going out when I need to use my spoons on studying. When I do leave the house, I try to drive or Uber, make sure the place is accessible, not too loud or bright, and rest right before leaving and as soon as I come home

4. When my symptoms are worse than usual, I stop. Stop studying, stop going to classes and give myself a day in bed with little light to fully rest and help my body recover. While TV isn’t high energy, it doesn’t help me recover as much as closing my eyes in the dark does, so I try to avoid watching to help my cells recover as quickly as possible

What are some things you do to help pace and maintain your baseline?

Cozy vibes for 2024✨

Got this beautiful matching set + slippers for Christmas and will be enjoying lots of cozy days in, in it.

My New Year’s resolution is to not push my body and rest more. To put my health first and choose to do more low energy activities, especially ones inside due to all the illness going around.

Starting new treatment I have high hopes for and really focusing on growth & health 8’ the start of the new year.

What are your New Year’s resolutions? How do you balance hoping for better health and wanting to do more with not creating unrealistic expectations and doing what’s best for your body?

Bless them

                        opl

Celebration is required!!!                                                              

                                                           opl  

It really is hard to explain how I only function if I lie down in a dark room for hours every day                                                              

Me to my heating pad                         opl

Merry Christmas Eve!!                         opl