This spoke to me. It's been a couple of years since I went through trigeminal shingles, and it completely reshaped my sense of what it means to “function.” Energy became a limited and precious resource. The ability to push myself to my physical limits to stay productive (whatever that meant) became nearly obsolete.
I had to learn to slow down and move at the pace of healing rather than ambition.
I had to learn to listen to my body in ways I was oblivious to before.
I had to learn to let go of things that meant a lot to me.
Writing on Substack has been part of my recovery.
It gives me a quieter rhythm where I can notice the small things and find fulfillment in reflection and connection. So, I guess, the main habit I have been forming over the past year or so is noticing.
I love this so much. I relate a lot to this habit of noticing. The way illness slows us down and our world becomes smaller and more focused can be hard but can also be such a gift of presence.
Thank you. It’s been very helpful reading your posts and notes. The way you write about chronic illness and artistry carries such poise and grace. Your reflections remind me that presence can be both fragile and powerful. ❤️
Me also I love this post I think it's really good and great #reflections that I could #relate to......I think it's hard life alone pain repetition what happened our chance what indeed but how we deal with it I suppose is good we deal with it and it's so difficult to fix. Well done nice post. I do just hope this is the best I can do ...I do so want a better time. I know the tragedy of this realm the heartbreaking reality, the agony of many things outside of and inside of disease.
I’ve also shifted from healing & fixing to settling into the routines that support me getting to feel my best. I slid backwards in my self-compassion, that for me was also very hard earned, and as I’m working my way back there I’m re-appreciating how truly amazing I am and how far I’ve come. I can see that I just deserve ease and to invest in what lights me up. I’m no longer a fixer-upper project. My guides have been telling me to work my way back to less phone time, too. Thank you for the further nudge. 💖🫶✨
This is such an important reminder that it's truly a journey and not a destination. I too have periods of slipping back in my self-compassion, feeling the blame of my own internalized ableism. I'm so glad you're finding your way back to yourself and seeing how much love and care you deserve. Sending you big hugs ❤️🩹
I think the rise of fascism is for sure playing a role. Especially because I find it nearly impossible to separate Trump from my father. They deserve each other. It makes sense. I’m fighting it, though!! Just like I’m fighting fascism in all the ways I can!!! 🙌
I loved this read! I’ve been making the pivot this year away from “healing” language and the idea of fixing something broken inside me. Through the shift in mindset I begun a healthy relationship with fitness, I love moving my body especially because I’ve had a mainly sedentary lifestyle growing up so this allows me to take that back and move my body in ways I really didn’t think possible. It has taken a lot of self compassion and mercy to get to where I am in my fitness journey and I am really proud of myself for committing to a goal I use to think was unachieveable
This is so beautiful! I love this reclamation of your own body through movement and presence. What an amazing practice.
And I’m all about us dropping the language of healing and fixing ourselves! I think it’s why I am drawn so deeply to Buddhist beliefs of finding peace and acceptance of what is versus fighting against it 💞🫂
Darling Vōx 🫂💖 I've reached that point too. It was a gradual realisation that it's time to stop trying to fix, to 'project manage' my illness and move into the gentle realm of deep, loving kindness for myself. I need it. Deserve it. Had a proper ugly cry about it too! But I feel like a weight has been lifted.
Love the 5 year journal idea+ I'm going to try electrolytes too - they've really helped my partner's symptoms too and now you've convinced me! Like you, I've been taking those short walks even when my brain tells me otherwise and it's been really beneficial. I need to work on the phone thing again though... it's slipped since my accident 6 weeks ago when I started being more bedbound again. I love library books too (though thanks to my ADHD they can also be challenging, like right now I can't find a book I've finished anywhere and so it's now overdue!). Thank you for the inspiration!
I definitely have had a few slips this year on the phone part too. It’s hard! Every year for the past few years I’ve been deleting social media for at least a month around the holidays and it’s been soooo nice. The detox has been important for me!
Oh man, the lost library book part!! Haha. It’s the one good thing about e-books, they aren’t ever misplaced!
Yes true - but nothing like a physical book in your hand! Enjoy your social media detox. I may do that over the Christmas holidays. Thanks for your response.
Much like you, I take walks pretty much every day, when the weather permits (I won't go if it's too rainy or too snowy out, but I will still make a short trek out even if it's icy cold). I find it as way to allow my brain to wonder freely and say things out loud; as nature doesn't care if I have things to say. In essence, my walks act not only as a means for exercise but also to destress and regulate from a world that seems to get more and more hostile towards people that deviate from the norm.
The journaling idea is interesting. Do you use any sort of prompts when you are filling out an entry, or do you just let your mind roam free and you write whatever comes to mind?
I love these kinds of walks! I’m looking forward to living near nature again one day, hopefully soon. It’s the best place to commune with thoughts 💚
I don’t use any prompts when I journal but I know sometimes that can help to get into the flow if it’s not a process you’ve done often. I like to just write whatever comes to mind, not needing it to be precious. Sometimes it’s brilliant, sometimes it’s just what I did that day. And that’s ok ☺️
Walking is so good for destress and regulation. I read somewhere that its partly because movement reassures our ‘lizard brain’ that we can get away from trouble if we need to. After an injury that kept me from walking, putting my boots on and walking a quater mile along the beach was such an experience… as I told my loved ones: it proved that the roughly 4000 times I’d had the thought ‘I would feel better if I could just go for a walk’ I was 100% correct.
Yes! It's so true. Also, I've read some studies about how walking amongst trees literally changes our brain chemistry, which is so wild! Nature is truly healing.
I miss walking a lot, as the air quality here is at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, so I haven't been able to leave my house for a week. It's definitely one of the reasons I'm hoping to move next year to somewhere better environmentally.
"I am my own mother now—showing myself, my inner child, the love she deserves."
I really wish that was me too! Self-compassion is something tricky for me. I've started reading about Compassion Focused Therapy, CFT, so hopefully it'll help.
I have some good habits already, but I need more. This was a very inspiring read :)
Thank you so much Sara! I think for so many self compassion is really hard. We’re not taught it and we’re often not modeled it from our families. It’s important to remember it’s a lifelong journey and moving ever closer to it in tiny increments is an amazing accomplishment! I’m proud of you for being aware and willing to do the hard work ❤️🩹🫂 I’m rooting for you!
I love this Vox. I have a few of these habits still on my to do list like the screen free time and listening to my body instead of forcing it to do more. And being my own mother..speaking kindly to myself. Conciously wanting to be in your own body - powerful stuff.
I did not know library systems let you check out e-books for free, holy shit.
Thank you so much Lydia! I'm rooting for you, one small habit at a time.
Oh my gosh, I didn't know about the library thing until just a few years ago, and I feel like I want to shout it from the rooftops! It's such a cool thing that they do. And such a nice way to support the library systems.
This spoke to me. It's been a couple of years since I went through trigeminal shingles, and it completely reshaped my sense of what it means to “function.” Energy became a limited and precious resource. The ability to push myself to my physical limits to stay productive (whatever that meant) became nearly obsolete.
I had to learn to slow down and move at the pace of healing rather than ambition.
I had to learn to listen to my body in ways I was oblivious to before.
I had to learn to let go of things that meant a lot to me.
Writing on Substack has been part of my recovery.
It gives me a quieter rhythm where I can notice the small things and find fulfillment in reflection and connection. So, I guess, the main habit I have been forming over the past year or so is noticing.
I love this so much. I relate a lot to this habit of noticing. The way illness slows us down and our world becomes smaller and more focused can be hard but can also be such a gift of presence.
Thank you. It’s been very helpful reading your posts and notes. The way you write about chronic illness and artistry carries such poise and grace. Your reflections remind me that presence can be both fragile and powerful. ❤️
Me also I love this post I think it's really good and great #reflections that I could #relate to......I think it's hard life alone pain repetition what happened our chance what indeed but how we deal with it I suppose is good we deal with it and it's so difficult to fix. Well done nice post. I do just hope this is the best I can do ...I do so want a better time. I know the tragedy of this realm the heartbreaking reality, the agony of many things outside of and inside of disease.
I’ve also shifted from healing & fixing to settling into the routines that support me getting to feel my best. I slid backwards in my self-compassion, that for me was also very hard earned, and as I’m working my way back there I’m re-appreciating how truly amazing I am and how far I’ve come. I can see that I just deserve ease and to invest in what lights me up. I’m no longer a fixer-upper project. My guides have been telling me to work my way back to less phone time, too. Thank you for the further nudge. 💖🫶✨
This is such an important reminder that it's truly a journey and not a destination. I too have periods of slipping back in my self-compassion, feeling the blame of my own internalized ableism. I'm so glad you're finding your way back to yourself and seeing how much love and care you deserve. Sending you big hugs ❤️🩹
I think the rise of fascism is for sure playing a role. Especially because I find it nearly impossible to separate Trump from my father. They deserve each other. It makes sense. I’m fighting it, though!! Just like I’m fighting fascism in all the ways I can!!! 🙌
I loved this read! I’ve been making the pivot this year away from “healing” language and the idea of fixing something broken inside me. Through the shift in mindset I begun a healthy relationship with fitness, I love moving my body especially because I’ve had a mainly sedentary lifestyle growing up so this allows me to take that back and move my body in ways I really didn’t think possible. It has taken a lot of self compassion and mercy to get to where I am in my fitness journey and I am really proud of myself for committing to a goal I use to think was unachieveable
This is so beautiful! I love this reclamation of your own body through movement and presence. What an amazing practice.
And I’m all about us dropping the language of healing and fixing ourselves! I think it’s why I am drawn so deeply to Buddhist beliefs of finding peace and acceptance of what is versus fighting against it 💞🫂
also - just listened to pain like a lover, its SO good and your voice is amazing !
Thank you so much ❤️🩹🥹 I'm blushing!! 🥰
This song is fire and the “I deserve you” is now on repeat in my head haha. Imo its jjj top 100 worthy ❤️
“My head feels too heavy for my neck to properly hold up” yes yes yes! Loved this piece, and not just because of that.
Hahaha. I was worried it would read as a “wow my big brain” type of a line. But I knew the chronically ill babes would get it ☺️❤️🩹🫂
Darling Vōx 🫂💖 I've reached that point too. It was a gradual realisation that it's time to stop trying to fix, to 'project manage' my illness and move into the gentle realm of deep, loving kindness for myself. I need it. Deserve it. Had a proper ugly cry about it too! But I feel like a weight has been lifted.
Such a beautiful gift to give yourself Catherine 🥹❤️🩹🫂
Thank you. You've helped me more than you know 💖
Love the 5 year journal idea+ I'm going to try electrolytes too - they've really helped my partner's symptoms too and now you've convinced me! Like you, I've been taking those short walks even when my brain tells me otherwise and it's been really beneficial. I need to work on the phone thing again though... it's slipped since my accident 6 weeks ago when I started being more bedbound again. I love library books too (though thanks to my ADHD they can also be challenging, like right now I can't find a book I've finished anywhere and so it's now overdue!). Thank you for the inspiration!
I definitely have had a few slips this year on the phone part too. It’s hard! Every year for the past few years I’ve been deleting social media for at least a month around the holidays and it’s been soooo nice. The detox has been important for me!
Oh man, the lost library book part!! Haha. It’s the one good thing about e-books, they aren’t ever misplaced!
Yes true - but nothing like a physical book in your hand! Enjoy your social media detox. I may do that over the Christmas holidays. Thanks for your response.
The best way to do two things at once…seriously…try it Ladies&gents
Put the “All My Besties”-EP on…and read this post…
For me its sounds like Sarah is reading it to me.
I know…sounds ‘interesting’ but hey… it works for me.
Thank you Sarah 🫂❤️
Thank you sweet Viki! Sending you big hugs
Such a great Remixes❤️❤️❤️
💝🥹
Congratulations on All My Besties!
Thank you Elizabeth! 💝🥹
Thank you!! 🙏🙌 I set aside a hour today to find books and I'm so happy 🥰
One of my favorite activities! 💝🥹
Much like you, I take walks pretty much every day, when the weather permits (I won't go if it's too rainy or too snowy out, but I will still make a short trek out even if it's icy cold). I find it as way to allow my brain to wonder freely and say things out loud; as nature doesn't care if I have things to say. In essence, my walks act not only as a means for exercise but also to destress and regulate from a world that seems to get more and more hostile towards people that deviate from the norm.
The journaling idea is interesting. Do you use any sort of prompts when you are filling out an entry, or do you just let your mind roam free and you write whatever comes to mind?
I love these kinds of walks! I’m looking forward to living near nature again one day, hopefully soon. It’s the best place to commune with thoughts 💚
I don’t use any prompts when I journal but I know sometimes that can help to get into the flow if it’s not a process you’ve done often. I like to just write whatever comes to mind, not needing it to be precious. Sometimes it’s brilliant, sometimes it’s just what I did that day. And that’s ok ☺️
Walking is so good for destress and regulation. I read somewhere that its partly because movement reassures our ‘lizard brain’ that we can get away from trouble if we need to. After an injury that kept me from walking, putting my boots on and walking a quater mile along the beach was such an experience… as I told my loved ones: it proved that the roughly 4000 times I’d had the thought ‘I would feel better if I could just go for a walk’ I was 100% correct.
Yes! It's so true. Also, I've read some studies about how walking amongst trees literally changes our brain chemistry, which is so wild! Nature is truly healing.
I miss walking a lot, as the air quality here is at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, so I haven't been able to leave my house for a week. It's definitely one of the reasons I'm hoping to move next year to somewhere better environmentally.
"I am my own mother now—showing myself, my inner child, the love she deserves."
I really wish that was me too! Self-compassion is something tricky for me. I've started reading about Compassion Focused Therapy, CFT, so hopefully it'll help.
I have some good habits already, but I need more. This was a very inspiring read :)
Oh, and I love the album x
Thank you so much Sara! I think for so many self compassion is really hard. We’re not taught it and we’re often not modeled it from our families. It’s important to remember it’s a lifelong journey and moving ever closer to it in tiny increments is an amazing accomplishment! I’m proud of you for being aware and willing to do the hard work ❤️🩹🫂 I’m rooting for you!
I have a go to bed alarm, swiftly followed by my phone going to monochrome. Best ever.
Oh yes! So smart! I also have the "get ready for bed alarm" as a signal to put all my electronics away.
I love this Vox. I have a few of these habits still on my to do list like the screen free time and listening to my body instead of forcing it to do more. And being my own mother..speaking kindly to myself. Conciously wanting to be in your own body - powerful stuff.
I did not know library systems let you check out e-books for free, holy shit.
Thank you so much Lydia! I'm rooting for you, one small habit at a time.
Oh my gosh, I didn't know about the library thing until just a few years ago, and I feel like I want to shout it from the rooftops! It's such a cool thing that they do. And such a nice way to support the library systems.