I began identifying as nonbinary aged 26. It was a wonderfully affirming life-decision, and I have only continued to feel better and better about myself the more I have begun to explore this side of my identity. Wearing ‘men’s’ clothes (what does that even mean anyway); cutting my hair short; …
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What NOT To Do When You Have ME/Chronic Fatigue
I originally wrote this post quite a long time ago – back when I was first starting to think about blogging about chronic illness and disability. It’s sort of a how-to guide for the pitfalls to avoid when you’re living with ME. I never posted it because I feel like …
Continue readingSelf Care When You Can’t Get Dressed
I have many days when I can’t get dressed. For me, it’s because of my chronic illnesses, but it can happen for all sorts of reasons – depression, poor mental health, fatigue, situational crises, physical pain, or even just having no motivation. When this happens, it’s incredibly hard to get …
Continue readingAre We Really Warriors? – My Problem With Battle Imagery Around Illness
We’re all familiar with battle imagery around illness, right? We refer to ‘chronic illness warriors’ and people ‘battling cancer’ and ‘fighting through their mental illness’. It’s often seen as a positive thing – as if illness is something to overcome, and something to be in contention with, and something to …
Continue readingAggressive Optimism: Good or Bad?
I like to call myself an aggressive optimist. What do I mean by that, exactly? Well, being an optimist is fairly self-explanatory, I think – I am definitely a glass-half-full, things-will-get-better, the-sun-will-rise-again-and-everything-will-be-ok kind of person, and, on the whole, I like that about myself. I tend to see the good …
Continue readingHiccups Are The DEVIL When You Have Costochondritis
I will die on this hill, alright? There is absolutely nothing in this world worse than hiccups with costochondritis. I’m sure that sounds completely bizarre to most of you reading this, but I can guarantee that anyone else out there with costochondritis will know exactly what I’m talking about. Hiccups …
Continue readingThe Importance of Fluffy Pyjamas
Yes, I really am writing a post about the importance of pyjamas. I’m sure a lot of you are squinting at your screen wondering if you’re reading that right, because if I, a person living with chronic debilitating illness, consider pyjamas important enough to dedicate a whole blog post to, …
Continue readingNaNoWriMo and Chronic Illness – Why I’m Giving It A Go
Planning for nanowrimo as a chronically ill person. Is it even possible? In the past, I’ve had very mixed feelings about nano. This year will be my fourth attempt, but every year as November draws closer I find myself umming and ahhing over whether or not it’s a good idea …
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