The end isn’t near

I moved again! Not far this time, but the arduous process of packing, unpacking, and settling in doesn’t seem to fluctuation depending on distance. It’s always time consuming and energy zapping. As I’ve written about before, I have moving down to a bit of a science. This was no different, with one major exception: My …

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Tripping into peace

A few weeks ago, I underwent surgery to eliminate all of the cancerous tissue in my uterus. Even though I was under full anesthesia, it was fairly quick as far as surgeries go, around an hour, and I was able to head home later that day. I was incredibly lucky and they were able to …

Sustain-able

Can any of us live “sustainably” with a chronic illness? I aspire to leaving a small carbon footprint. The IG-worthy images of reusable and minimalist lifestyles appeal to me. The idea of living light and making a more positive than negative impact on my surroundings… that all feels very right. Unfortunately, those desires tend to …

Invisible proof

What you didn’t know, was that you would spend the rest of your life trying to convince people that you are broken. Even as you wrestle with the daily mindfuck that is surviving with invisible conditions, people need you to prove your pain and symptoms. Your word isn’t enough. Descriptions of any detail will never …

So many sorrys

We’ve been apologizing for as long as I can remember. Saying sorry to anyone who happens to see you on a hard day. Cowering to the people who consider our existence an inconvenience. Trying to soothe the awkwardness of those around us when we are flaring.  From the first time I was brought into the …

Lady like me

The complexities of being a biological female dealing with chronic pain and illness are innumerable. This isn’t to say that other gender identities don’t struggle with similar issues. Everyone’s struggle is real. There are no flat roads in any of our health journeys. These are just some of the particular areas where women face constant …

Keep up!

It is one of the toughest times of the year for many people… the holidays. Throw a little 2020 chaos into the mix. Add a dash of pandemic. Twist in economic collapse. There’s nothing peaceful and easy about this ending. Currently, I live in America. This is the season (pretty much October through January) of …

Failed fluffy friend

I’m an animal person. I’ve been around pets and wild animals for most of my life. I know how to care for and interact with them. It’s all very natural for me. That being said, I haven’t had my own critter for a very long time. With a busy life, moving around, and travelling frequently, …

Not stuck, forward

This one is about our mental health. Last year I began my one-week rule. I give myself one week to be a mess after I experience heartache. To fall to pieces, eat crappy food, sob into the night, and obsess over the issue. I started this not to be hard on myself or deny my …

Welcome to the bumpiest road

I’m not one of the lifers. My chronic conditions took over less than a decade ago. While I had experienced some symptoms earlier, my overwhelming and life-altering issues only developed in my late twenties. Of course, any amount of time with severe pain and symptoms feels like an eternity. Looking back to days of physical …