Living with multiple chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, chronic migraine, chronic fatigue, and more poses plenty of daily challenges for me. Simple tasks often require accessibility aids and adaptations in order for me to preserve my energy and complete them independently.
Like many in the chronically ill and neurodivergent community, I’ve had to prioritize self-care from a young age to maintain my quality of life. Managing symptoms and flares requires diligence, but a flexible approach to my self-care routine has been key for me.
The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be stressful and tiring for anyone, but especially those living of us with chronic illnesses. Naturally, this calls for a chronic illness holiday gift guide! Whether you’re gifting yourself a little treat to help make it through the holiday season or you’re forwarding this post to your loved ones as a subtle hint, here are some ideas for spoonie-friendly gifts.
When you’re dealing with fatigue, brain fog, executive functioning issues, sensory sensitivities, and pain, it’s tough to keep your home tidy and your stuff in order. However, organizing your space for productivity with chronic illness is essential for reducing anxiety and mental overwhelm to improve daily functioning. With the right systems, habits, and tools tailored to your needs, you can transform your space into a sanctuary that supports your health and productivity.
Pushing our bodies beyond their limits can lead to crashes, flares, and setbacks that only exacerbate symptoms and derail any progress made. That’s where the concept of pacing when you have chronic illness comes into play.
Brain fog is an unfortunately common symptom for many people living with chronic illness and neurodivergence. It can manifest as forgetfulness, mental confusion, lack of focus, slowed thinking, or inability to process information. Brain fog makes even simple tasks like reading, writing emails, or following conversations extremely difficult. This balance between brain fog and productivity severely impacts productivity and your ability to function day-to-day.
As a chronically ill person, having systems and tools that work for you is crucial for maintaining your well-being. Fortunately, there are more and more sustainable options that can help streamline your life in an environmentally conscious way. With a bit of creativity and know-how, you can build an eco-friendly productivity toolkit tailored to your unique needs.
Know that the painful sensation of feeling useless is incredibly common, but does not define your innate value and dignity as a human being. You have worth that transcends health status or outside productivity metrics.
Living with chronic illness often means dealing with symptoms like pain, fatigue, and brain fog on a daily basis. While these symptoms can make it challenging to be as productive as you want to be, it’s important to recognize that you are still being productive in ways that matter. Reframing how we view productivity with chronic illness is key for us.
For those of us with chronic illness, finding planners for spoonies that are flexible, supportive, and even inspiring can be life-changing.
