Oof, Lauren, as I told a friend the other day, different variations of chronic illness are like different flavours of shit sandwich, rather than a league table. (And apologies for the metaphor which I found in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic and repurposed.) The shame thing... I grapple with a lot, though it (mostly) eases as I challenge it. You might find substacker Devon Price’s book, Laziness Does Not Exist helpful, I did.
Thanks so much for reading, and for your thoughtful comment, Michelle. No apologies needed for the metaphor haha - and in fact next month I'm going on a yoga retreat and taking Big Magic to read for the first time!
Good to know the shame thing can be eased - I will keep trying to challenge it.
Thanks for the recommendation too, I have heard of the book but didn't know Devon Price was on Substack!
I have mild envy of you reading Big Magic for the first time, its become an annual read for me. I loved The Artist’s Way but was more transformed by Cameron’s less well-known book, The Sound of Paper, about a period of writer’s drought. Have a wonderful time at your retreat.
Ah thanks so much Michelle, I remember Big Magic coming out but feel like it's having a real resurgence at the moment. I haven't read The Artists Way, but did read Floor Sample earlier this year which shares some of the back story of it (here in case of interest - https://laurenkatepowell.substack.com/p/cultural-compass-16)
Loved this post Lauren, could feel your emotion reading through it and resonated with it. I get migraines often, so I relate a lot with the feeling of missing out and just “pushing through” the pain as there’s things to be done, and a life to be lived. And I see the same thing with many around me with chronic pain conditions, like endometriosis. But as Hippocrates said “let food be thy medicine”, and it looks like you’re embarking on an exciting journey ahead! 🫶🏼
Thanks so much for reading and sharing, Sara! Exactly - life to be lived! I guess it's about trying to find that balance of not wanting to/being able to stop but knowing when you/we have to?
Yes, exactly! I think it's also about building a good social network, if your closest people are not understanding that physically you can't join them or say you will leave early, then that would definitely add more stress to the situation, I would imagine.
So much to relate to here after over 15 years of living with an autoimmune disease. My body said no to motherhood, despite my best efforts to override it. The turning point for me came with learning to regulate my nervous system, and the realisation that that had been draining my tank and driving up inflammation in my body. Wishing you well with your own journey and discoveries ❤️
Vicki, thank you so much for reading, and sharing such a personal insight into your story. I'm glad you had a clear turning point, and I hoped that has helped in the time since. The nervous system has a lot to answer for I think (or at least our interactions with it!).
I felt so much of myself while reading this stack - I too was vague and quiet about my conditions for the longest time. I also faced countless doctors acting as though having children was a given - despite the fact that I was clearly too sick to survive pregnancy let alone parenthood.
I appreciate you sharing with such vulnerability - I know it’s a tough thing to do!
I also don’t want to make assumptions about what you’re dealing with - but a lot in your story reminded me of my own… so I’m going to drop my article about my gynaecological issues in case it’s useful. Feel free to disregard if it’s not (or ignore if it might be triggering). I’m just starting to advocate more about these issues - and still building my courage as well. https://www.disabledginger.com/p/my-most-dangerous-er-experience-and
Thank you so much for reading, and sharing such a thoughtful comment. I'm sorry to hear about what you've been going through - but I appreciate the support and encouragement to be vulnerable.
I look forward to reading your article, thank you for sending the link! Even if our experiences our different, it's always good to listen (or read!) and learn. Wishing you all the best on the journey to build your courage ✨
You’re welcome - and good luck to you as well. It can be scary getting the courage to share - but this is a GREAT place to do it. So many supportive and appreciative people who will value what you write and help you through any bumps along the way 💜
I've just read the piece you shared above, and gosh, I really felt it in my bones. I could really resonate with your frustrations, partly because I know that feeling of being dismissed, but more so because of how you wrote of it so viscerally.
To say I am sorry for what you have gone through feels to weak a statement, but I am, though am also glad of course that you survived, and with decades having passed, are able to tell the tale.
Thank you for reading it and for your kind words. Finding the courage to share these stories is never easy - but it’s really wonderful to see so many people speaking out and supporting one another!
It's all a big experiment, right? Love that you included musings in the deck, too, so it's still there. It's beautiful, honest writing, Lauren. 🫶
One big experiment indeed! Thanks so much Christin, really appreciate the support 💛
Oof, Lauren, as I told a friend the other day, different variations of chronic illness are like different flavours of shit sandwich, rather than a league table. (And apologies for the metaphor which I found in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic and repurposed.) The shame thing... I grapple with a lot, though it (mostly) eases as I challenge it. You might find substacker Devon Price’s book, Laziness Does Not Exist helpful, I did.
Thanks so much for reading, and for your thoughtful comment, Michelle. No apologies needed for the metaphor haha - and in fact next month I'm going on a yoga retreat and taking Big Magic to read for the first time!
Good to know the shame thing can be eased - I will keep trying to challenge it.
Thanks for the recommendation too, I have heard of the book but didn't know Devon Price was on Substack!
I have mild envy of you reading Big Magic for the first time, its become an annual read for me. I loved The Artist’s Way but was more transformed by Cameron’s less well-known book, The Sound of Paper, about a period of writer’s drought. Have a wonderful time at your retreat.
Ah thanks so much Michelle, I remember Big Magic coming out but feel like it's having a real resurgence at the moment. I haven't read The Artists Way, but did read Floor Sample earlier this year which shares some of the back story of it (here in case of interest - https://laurenkatepowell.substack.com/p/cultural-compass-16)
Will keep the Sound of Paper in mind too!
Thank you 😊
Ooooo thank you for that, I hadn’t heard Cameron wrote a memoir!
Ah you're very welcome - enjoy! 📚
Loved this post Lauren, could feel your emotion reading through it and resonated with it. I get migraines often, so I relate a lot with the feeling of missing out and just “pushing through” the pain as there’s things to be done, and a life to be lived. And I see the same thing with many around me with chronic pain conditions, like endometriosis. But as Hippocrates said “let food be thy medicine”, and it looks like you’re embarking on an exciting journey ahead! 🫶🏼
Thanks so much for reading and sharing, Sara! Exactly - life to be lived! I guess it's about trying to find that balance of not wanting to/being able to stop but knowing when you/we have to?
Let food be thy medicine indeed!
Well, let's hope so 🤞🏻
Yes, exactly! I think it's also about building a good social network, if your closest people are not understanding that physically you can't join them or say you will leave early, then that would definitely add more stress to the situation, I would imagine.
Yep agreed, good friends (and family!) who are understanding and supportive are key 💕
Thank you Lauren for the mention. This is a beautiful piece and the more we talk about this, the more hope I feel 💕
Thank you so much Emma - and you're more than welcome!
Yes absolutely - that is a great way to see, and feel, it 💞
So much to relate to here after over 15 years of living with an autoimmune disease. My body said no to motherhood, despite my best efforts to override it. The turning point for me came with learning to regulate my nervous system, and the realisation that that had been draining my tank and driving up inflammation in my body. Wishing you well with your own journey and discoveries ❤️
Vicki, thank you so much for reading, and sharing such a personal insight into your story. I'm glad you had a clear turning point, and I hoped that has helped in the time since. The nervous system has a lot to answer for I think (or at least our interactions with it!).
I so appreciate the well wishes, thank you 💖
I felt so much of myself while reading this stack - I too was vague and quiet about my conditions for the longest time. I also faced countless doctors acting as though having children was a given - despite the fact that I was clearly too sick to survive pregnancy let alone parenthood.
I appreciate you sharing with such vulnerability - I know it’s a tough thing to do!
I also don’t want to make assumptions about what you’re dealing with - but a lot in your story reminded me of my own… so I’m going to drop my article about my gynaecological issues in case it’s useful. Feel free to disregard if it’s not (or ignore if it might be triggering). I’m just starting to advocate more about these issues - and still building my courage as well. https://www.disabledginger.com/p/my-most-dangerous-er-experience-and
Thank you so much for reading, and sharing such a thoughtful comment. I'm sorry to hear about what you've been going through - but I appreciate the support and encouragement to be vulnerable.
I look forward to reading your article, thank you for sending the link! Even if our experiences our different, it's always good to listen (or read!) and learn. Wishing you all the best on the journey to build your courage ✨
You’re welcome - and good luck to you as well. It can be scary getting the courage to share - but this is a GREAT place to do it. So many supportive and appreciative people who will value what you write and help you through any bumps along the way 💜
I've just read the piece you shared above, and gosh, I really felt it in my bones. I could really resonate with your frustrations, partly because I know that feeling of being dismissed, but more so because of how you wrote of it so viscerally.
To say I am sorry for what you have gone through feels to weak a statement, but I am, though am also glad of course that you survived, and with decades having passed, are able to tell the tale.
Thank you for having and sharing the courage 💜
Thank you for reading it and for your kind words. Finding the courage to share these stories is never easy - but it’s really wonderful to see so many people speaking out and supporting one another!