Activities / Hobbies That Build Hope: What activities or hobbies do you participate in that help build hope for you?
I am involved in a few activities that specifically bring awareness and from that I believe stems hope. I write regularly on this blog. I have my Facebook Page Making Invisible Disabilities Visible where I post information about invisible disabilities, chronic pain, migraines, and fibromyalgia. I create images for both my blog and my page as well. I have recently started doing a once a month blog for MigraineChecked as well (this was my post on Awareness).
Writing is a way I use to work through the pain. To make sense of this world. To share my experiences with others. To spread awareness and share knowledge. It is a pretty fundamental way for me to cope with chronic pain.
I do upon occasion write poetry as well, which is a very personal way of expressing aspects of the migraine battle. I often put these poems to images and post them. Can’t say I am good at it, but I do it.


I also write fiction which to me is something I am passionate about. A hobby that helps me get through the pain. I write fantasy-fiction and self-publish them which can be here:
All Drugged Up: Part One Haven Book 3
All Drugged Up: Part Two Haven Book 4
I also read a lot of fantasy fiction. A lot, a lot. An abundance. Less a hobby and more an obsession where I consume books. I value hobbies like this though. Both of them get me out of my head-space which is very important. Both of them can distract me from the pain, also vital. Both of them are not things I Must do and function through while in pain, like work which is a constant battle and ordeal, but rather things I want to do and relax me. There is a certain pain level where both become impossible but I actually manage to do both at a fair bit of pain… perhaps not as well as I would with moderate pain, but still, I can. Like when the pain is high I will read a fluff book instead… something with a simple and easy to follow plot. So my brain really does not have to work to keep up with anything. I will curl up on the couch with some migraine balm on my head and ice on my neck and just fall into the story.
“The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association.”
Prompts to be found on: Awareness Month page.