Nikki chronic illness, chronic pain, Hobbies, lifestyle, wellbeing

Writing about your pain

I have been a blogger for many, many years and I also write fantasy fiction. To me, there is something very powerful about creative writing when it comes to chronic pain management. Both when it comes to writing about my pain and when it comes to engaging in creative writing, which is fundamentally a passion … Continue reading Writing about your pain

Nikki chronic illness, chronic pain, coping with disability, disability, Discrimination, society, stigma

Disability Pride Month

In 2015, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio declared July as Disability Pride Month to celebrate the ADA’s 25th anniversary. Disability Pride Month commemorates the passage of the ADA (Americans with Disability Act) and promotes visibility and positive awareness, acceptance, and recognition, and educates others on being an ally. It’s also about reminding everyone that … Continue reading Disability Pride Month

Nikki chronic illness, coping with disability, disability, Discrimination, society, stigma

Imposter Syndrome and chronic illness

I have had Imposter Syndrome for really all my life. Along with 70% of the population, at some time or another. Imposter syndrome is that feeling that any successes you have had are due to luck or some external influences outside of yourself. And not your skills, talent or qualifications. The psychologists Pauline Rose Clance … Continue reading Imposter Syndrome and chronic illness

Nikki chronic illness, chronic pain

It’s July? Wow. Pandemic life sure does fly

Time for A Chronic Voice link-up prompts Prompts AgeingSufferingTransformingNavigatingVisualizing It's July? Already? Pandemic life sure does fly when you're doing absolutely nothing It's Canada Day today! Alberta is fully re-opening today as well but I don't expect I'll be jumping in to do anything for Canada Day. Bit too soon for me. I am double … Continue reading It’s July? Wow. Pandemic life sure does fly

Nikki chronic illness, chronic pain, wellbeing

The fragile perception of control and the effect on well-being

The perception of control we have is necessary for our well-being and living in the world. It is sort of a necessary fiction we tell ourselves. When you think of it philosophically there isn't much control we truly have over anything. But perception is reality for our brains. Do not focus on things we have … Continue reading The fragile perception of control and the effect on well-being

Nikki acceptance, chronic illness, chronic pain, coping, disability, Discrimination, Invisible disability awareness, society, stigma

Invisible disability and self-imposed stigma we learn from others

I read a post called The Bizarre Prevalence of Invisible Illness Imposter Syndrome and the author uses different terms and language to describe what I have felt as well. Essentially it is this pattern: With an invisible disability we mask our symptoms for a variety of reasons. To cope and manage working. So we will … Continue reading Invisible disability and self-imposed stigma we learn from others