I've been debating for a while where I'm going with this. The cold, hard truth of the matter is that I've had very little time for anything other than being mum, and trying to keep my body working as best it can. I can't remember the last time I was able to read a paper,… Continue reading Lessons I have learned
Currently you are not eligible for any properties. That's the message I have seen every Saturday, for the last 208 weeks. We ended up in our housing predicament, four years ago, having moved five times in four years. Three of those houses became student lets for a significantly higher profit, and two were sold on,… Continue reading Housing, homelessness and the crisis on our hands.
Life is tough enough without a chronic illness, but throw constant pain and exhaustion into the mix and make no mistake, you have a war on your hands. You find yourself conscripted for constant combat overnight; a never ending series of minor and major battles. You can not win them all, your mission must firstly… Continue reading The 7 deadly sins of chronic illness and how to combat them
I'm learning to love myself again. All the flaws and idiocincracies that add up to me. Loud, bossy and incessantly talking. Quiet, reflective and sensitive. I have a huge issue with being boxed into a single character type, and person. Those that know me well, will confirm that in company I'm great at finding the… Continue reading Musical memories, and the artists that saved us.
It's a new year, and the beginning of a new chapter for me. Single, pushing forty, mother of four, chronically ill. To say the concept of that version of 'me' was daunting is an understatement. It's not the dream to have four kids with two different fathers and be in the position I am currently… Continue reading Shifting sands
I don't know about you, but in my little family we live by certain rules. Kindness. Compassion. Truth. Empathy. Respect. I decided early on that these were the mainstays of my parenting style, and have attempted to remain fierce in my defence of them, in the choices I make as a mama. Some people choose… Continue reading Family rules
"I don't want you to go out anywhere on your own mummy, because the bad people might hurt you". These were the words my nine year old daughter uttered at bedtime on Monday night. I remember so clearly that feeling as a child when bad things happened, the overwhelming fear and concern for my parents… Continue reading #NotInMyName
I've realised lately that I'm a stubborn old goat. I've been barely holding it together, but for some reason I find it almost impossible to ask for help. I've been thinking a lot about why this is, and I've settled on the fact that I don't want to appear needy, or lose my independence by… Continue reading My own biggest critic
I'm in a time of huge change and turmoil. The pursuit of happiness has led me down a path that is new, terrifying and forcing me to really look at all elements of my life and health. Chronic illness in its essence is a scary, limiting thing, and it's very easy to become too afraid… Continue reading Writing the next chapter
It's been a while. There are many reasons for that, but the most important one is this. Living. I have been living. Life with chronic illness is a curious creature, that shifts like the tides throughout the year, only less predictable. When I'm gifted a good day, I have to grab onto it tightly with… Continue reading Finding my fierce
