Hi Friend.
How are you doing?
Seasons are changing, the world is still an uncertain but amazing place and I'm continuing my slow but steady progress back into life before the great appendix event of 2022 knocked me flat.
Some signs of progress are that I have been able to re-commit to my past daily walks, since I have finally stopped experiencing post exercise malaise.
As before, my commitment is to put my shoes on and get outside and walk every day, as far or as long as I feel I want to.
Some days it's an hour, some days it's a quick 10 minutes around the block but it feels good to have my old habit back again.
I have also made a commitment (now that I have extra energy and brain power) to creating art again!
I have always been a creative person since I was a child. I was drawing, painting, writing stories and poems and loved it and believed I was good at it until a very critical high school teacher told me that I wasn't and I believed him.
It never stopped me from continuing to buy art supplies but boy, did it stop me from using them.
It's amazing how getting told that you are bad at something that you love when you are young can completely block you from ever doing that thing again.
I have heard so many people tell me that someones criticism stopped them from creating or dancing or or doing something else that gave them joy and I have decided that I am taking my love of creating back!
So I am letting go of perfectionism, giving myself permission to make mistakes (because that's the only way we learn) and affirming that "I am an artist", even if my subconscious mind isn't ready to fully believe that yet.
If you follow me on my Facebook page, you will see a regular weekly picture of my art just make myself accountable and keep my promise to myself.
So Friend, if there is something that you used to love that someone convinced you that you were bad at, think about taking that thing back, even if it's not in the way that you used to be able to do it.
I firmly believe that anything that gives you joy is worth investing time and energy in.
Speaking of things that help, I have been reflecting lately on my experiences of online support groups on Facebook.
Some have been supportive, given me valuable information that has made a huge difference to recovering my health and ability or led me to the next thing to experiment with and see how it works for me.
Others have been toxic places with bullying, blaming, controlling, suicidal posts and competitions of "who is suffering the most."
In short, online support groups can be helpful, harmful and many things in between so here are my top tips to get the most out of your online support group experience:
1. Not all groups are created equal and the admin makes a huge difference. Choose groups that have clear guidelines and good moderation to minimise bullies and snake oil sellers.
2. Ask targeted questions. If the group has a specific focus such as diet or treatments, make the most of the knowledge available, then do your own research.
3. Don’t go into the group when you are feeling afraid and vulnerable, unless you have seen that it’s a safe space to seek support!
4. Some groups that are based on a specific dietary or treatment protocol can tend to blame you and not the protocol if you are not making progress.
Look for the red flags especially when you see a “diet harder” mentality going on. There is no “one” diet or treatment that helps everyone.
I firmly believe that patient knowledge and experience is priceless, you just need to be aware that ultimately, your health is your responsibility. Always do what feels right for you.
There are some fabulous, supportive and knowledgeable groups out there that really make a huge difference. 💕
What’s been your experience of online support groups, helpful or not?
Feel free to hit reply to this email and let me know.
I also want to let you know that I have had a whole lot of clients graduating from their programs with lots of life changing new skills on board, so I have space in my diary again.
Could one of those spots be for you Friend?
If you are feeling ready to invest in yourself and get the help, support and essential skills that you need to make the shift from surviving to thriving with chronic illness, then book in your FREE Discovery Session with me now online.
After all, you absolutely deserve it.
Warm wishes,
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