Daily Little Accomplishments + The Self-Care Movement*

6:00:00 PM

* This is a sponsored post for Self Care Catalysts. I have been compensated through the Chronic Illness Bloggers Network. All opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company. *
 
As many of you know, I struggle with more than a handful of illnesses and I'm still waiting for more diagnoses. I have to carry around a medical binder just to remember all of them as well as the rest of my medical information. 

I have been diagnosed with: PTSD, anxiety, depression, hypothyroidism, hashimoto's thyroiditis, astigmatism, lupus, CREST, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, pulmonary hypertension, chronic sinusitis due to a deviated septum, and chronic tonsillitis. We've also found nodules in my lungs, but it is too early to test them.

Each one of these illnesses effect my usual daily routine. Before any of my diagnoses, I unknowingly took a lot for granted. I never thought there would be a day that I wouldn't be able to do everything on my own. I mentioned some of my struggles in my post, "Chronic Illnesses #WhatYouDontSee."

It can be incredibly difficult to adjust to new limitations. I, for one, still haven't mastered it. Each day it feels like there is something new that I can't do anymore, even if I was able to do it the day before. Due to these crazy changes and life-altering limitations, I've learned that I need to remember to celebrate the little accomplishments. 

Self-care is just as important as breathing. If we aren't able to take care of ourselves, how are we ever going to be able to take care of anyone else? This still applies even if you haven't received a diagnosis for a chronic illness. Each of us needs to learn to not only accept ourselves, but to care for ourselves too. It's especially important to remember each daily little accomplishment as well. 

I actually keep a journal to jot down the things that I want to celebrate. I'm a crazy list maker so I've got to-do lists all over the place! I constantly scribble tasks down, scratch things out, and rewrite them. They normally start out as tasks I'd like to accomplish in one day, but they usually end up spanning a week or more. It can be difficult to finish tasks when you can't guarantee how you'll feel at certain times. So as soon as I feel well enough to accomplish something, I make sure to write it down in my journal. 

Some tasks might sound ridiculously simple, but you'd be surprised. Something as small as putting deodorant on, can actually make me very lightheaded and I begin to see spots. I'm sure there's a technical term for it, but I have no idea what it is. 

The best way that I have ever been able to describe how hard it is to accomplish doing daily tasks, is using Christine Miserandino's "Spoon theory." You can click on the link for the full story, or get the idea from this awesome infographic! 

Photo Credit: Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus
When I found the spoon theory, I couldn't help but cry. I realized that there were other people struggling with the same things that I was and I wasn't alone. I've joined a community that is so incredibly supportive during the challenges that come with chronic illnesses. I know that I can come to them about anything and they'll be right there to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. 

To help better understand what some of us go through, I've included an entry in my daily little accomplishments journal:
  • Got out of bed
  • Remembered to take all medications
  • Showered
  • Got dressed
  • Remembered to eat and finish three meals
  • Wrote a blog post
  • Went on an errand
  • Completed my stretches
I know these aren't huge tasks, but they are huge for me! There are some days that I'm not able to leave the couch. I avoid getting up for water, food, or the bathroom because I'm not sure I'll make it to or from. There are lots of instances that I won't eat as much as I should, or I forget to take my medication. You would think that these things would be easy, but they can prove to be incredibly difficult. Nevertheless, I am still happy for each and every daily little accomplishment. I'm proud that I'm able to still do some things independently and I'm trying to accept that sometimes I need to ask for help. 

My illnesses may be invisible, but my struggles aren't. I'm so glad that I am able to share my experiences through my blog and bring knowledge to those that don't quite understand the spoonie community. I wish that I could shout it from a mountain top and pass it along to everyone in the world, but I don't exactly have that reach just yet. That's why I'm glad that there are other organizations trying to do the same. One that I've connected with recently, through the Chronic Illness Bloggers Network, is the Self-Care Movement

I hadn't known about the Self-Care Movement until recently, but I'm so glad that I found them. Similar to me, they are trying to help more people learn and understand our community a little bit better. In fact, their mission is to transform perspectives about chronic illness, and transform the way we manage it, to celebrate the greatness in ordinary accomplishments that patients face everyday!

If you're interested in learning more about spoonies, you can check out all of my spoonie posts here. Not only that, but if you are a spoonie, you can also read about my favorite spoonie resources

I would love for you to share this post to help educate the world a little bit more about spoonies!


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18 comments

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  2. What a great and inspiring story! I was married for seven years without any child; because of this my husband start acting strange, coming home lately and not spending time with me any more and he divorced me. So i became very sad and lost in life because my doctor told me there is no way for me to get pregnant this really make life miserable for me. until i came across a friend who told me about Baba Alika from the Internet, how he has helped a lot of women with this similar problems that i am going through so i contacted him on: (babaalikahealinghome@yahoo.com) and explained to him. he told me all what to provide before he could cast a reunite spell to bring back my husband which i did and he sent a powerful prayer which i had to say at mid night while he cast the love spell. It was a miracle, 24 hours later my one and only husband came back to me and apologize for all he has done and told me he is fully ready to support me in any thing i want, I quickly call Baba Alika and told him what was going on at that moment, and he also prepared and sent me a herbal medicine which he said it will cure every unwanted diseases or infections that has been stopping me from conceiving then instructed me on how to use it before meeting with my husband, behold after using this native herbs and root, few weeks later i started feeling pregnancy signs all over me, truly i was pregnant i just gave birth to twins (boys) on the 1st of this month. I Vow to let the whole world know about Baba Alika for saving my relationship and for also giving me children i can proudly call my own today. For any woman who thinks it impossible, here is an opportunity for you to smile and bring happiness to your family kindly contact Baba Alika via Email on: (babaalikahealinghome@yahoo.com). Indeed, he is a God sent to bring back lost lovers and bring you happiness...

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    1. I'm 61 years old. I contracted hpv in 2011' I has be taking lot treatment for it and embarrassed some months ago the wart stated coming out seriously, I used lot recommendation because there was lot warts around my anus and was so . but today I'm totally happy I got the virus eliminated by using natural treatment from Dr voodoo herbal center after his treatment I got cured. all the warts went away' seriously believed Dr. voodoo he have the cure for human papillomavirus because he has eliminated hpv been in my body since 2011, Dr. voodoo make it possible for me. Here is Dr. voodoo email: voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com or WhatsApp him via +2348140120719 he is welled capable of curing terrible diseases.

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  5. i Thank God will continue to bless you more abundantly, for the good works you are doing in peoples life, I will keep on writng and posting testimonies about you on the Internet, I’m jennifer I was a HPV patient, I saw a blog on how Dr. omohan cured someone, I contacted him and also got my healing, kindly email him now on dromohanherbalmedicine@gmail.com or whatsapp him +2348164816038 God we bless you

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  6. HOW I GOT CURED FROM HERPES VIRUS I was diagnosed of HERPES virus and i have tried all I can to get cured but all to no avail,,until I saw a post in a health forum about a herbalist man who prepare herbal medications to cure all kind of diseases called Dr Shaibu Herbs Medicine which i try and got my cure i am very happy to say this to the world that i will forever be grateful to you Dr Shaibu and tell people all over the world about you email for any affected person to get your cure ,(drshaibuabacha@gmail.com) 
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  8. I'm 61 years old, I contracted hpv in 2011' I has be taking lot treatment for it and embarrassed some months ago the wart stated coming out seriously, I used lot recommendation because there was lot warts around my anus and was so . but today I'm totally happy I got the virus eliminated by using natural treatment from Dr Onokun herbal center after his treatment I got cured. all the warts went away' seriously believed Dr Onokun he have the cure for human papillomavirus because he has eliminated hpv been in my body since 2011, Dr Onokun make it possible for me. Here is Dr Onokun email: dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com or website: https:// Dronokunherbalcure.wordpress.com/ page at: https://www.facebook.com/naturaltreatme    

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  12. There is no other medication that can cure herpes and other STDs, or STIs, permanently, i have come to find out that herbal medication is the only form of medication that has cured herpes successfully, i was once tested positive of herpes but herbal medicine i got from Dr Ofua Ofure( https://dr-ofua-ofure-herbal-healing-home.business.site ) help me to get rid of herpes totally, now am free from herpes virus permanently. contact dr ofua ofure thegreatherbalhealinghome@gmail.com to know more about his herbal healing products and get cured just i have been cured. call/whatsapp +2347059497969

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  13. The doctors said Herpes virus do not have medical cure because the virus is capable of hiding within the human cells, it remains protected from your immune system. Herpes isn’t a special virus – your immune system has the tools to fight it back. But because it is able to lay dormant in protected cells, your immune system is unable to remove it from your body,But with strong reactive herbal medication is capable of getting rid of the virus gradually and totally from your body without damaging any of your cells,natural herbs kills the virus totally not just reducing the out break. Get natural herbs cure Email DR. VOODOO at voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com Add Dr voodoo on whatsApp +2348140120719

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