This feels like a dull subject – 1,330 words about how I made my dinner – but the theme of this blog is tackling the challenges that chronic illness presents in everyday life and cooking is one of those things that has become trickier. Though there are ways of making it easier. I wanted to… Continue reading Cooking on a bad day
Category: Uncategorized
Avoiding an avalanche: keeping track without being overwhelmed
Sluff is the cloud of moving snow you see behind someone skiing or snowboarding down a steep slope. I recently re-read a post by Inger Mewburn (The Thesis Whisperer) where she uses ‘sluff’ as a metaphor for the mass of notes and memos we accumulate to keep track of what we thought or did. In… Continue reading Avoiding an avalanche: keeping track without being overwhelmed
Impossible to-do lists: why magical thinking isn’t a solution.
A few weeks ago I visited my friend at the allotments. Covid restrictions prevent meeting indoors. That, together with Manchester’s weather meant it could be a while before we would catch up again. This could be the last warm day of the year, and a welcome opportunity for a good conversation. The leaves on the… Continue reading Impossible to-do lists: why magical thinking isn’t a solution.
Why I stopped writing for almost a year
This is the first thing I’ve uploaded in almost a year. Before anything else, I want to explain my absence. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be a very cheerful post. I was having a very difficult time at the end of last year which is when I stopped writing. I think 2020 has been a… Continue reading Why I stopped writing for almost a year
Small victory #7
Collected my prescription from the chemist
Small Victories #6
Made a difficult phone call and took a walk. Took a humungous effort to actually do each of them. Actually the phone call wasn’t difficult at all. I’d just convinced myself it would be.
Small Victories #5
Left the House I haven’t left the house for a few days and only occasionally in the last few weeks. I’m supposed to do something energetic (or th closest I get) outside every day for both my physical and mental health. Today I joined my partner and friend for their afternoon drinks. I didn’t feel… Continue reading Small Victories #5
Making a promise to myself
I booked tickets to a gig today. It kind of seems like madness. I’m feeling kind of depressed. I’m having a flare-up in symptoms. I cancelled going out on Thursday because I wasn’t up to it. Simple things seem overwhelming. A heavy-metal gig doesn’t seem like the smartest plan does it? Maybe or maybe not.… Continue reading Making a promise to myself
I’m scared I’m getting depressed
I’m afraid, though I can’t say what of. I can feel that emptiness inside me. It’s only small at the moment but it’s hard and stubborn. I can feel the dead space, the black hole, in my chest. It’s not that bad. I’m only a bit frightened, only a bit numb, brittle. I know what… Continue reading I’m scared I’m getting depressed
If at first, you don’t succeed…
I discovered that making a crib sheet can be a useful tool for helping me to manage my chronic illness with some activities. I discovered this almost by accident while writing an email to my yoga teacher. However, having a useful tool is only half the battle. Figuring out how you are going to make… Continue reading If at first, you don’t succeed…