Nikki chronic illness, chronic pain, complementary/alternative treatments, coping, Hobbies, wellbeing

Creative pursuits and how it helps cope with chronic pain

I have used art and creativity to cope with chronic pain since I have had chronic pain. I started with journals when I was young. I went to writing fiction. Then blogging. Poetry. And then drawing and painting. It has nothing to do with being good at it. It has to do with being able … Continue reading Creative pursuits and how it helps cope with chronic pain

Nikki chronic illness, chronic pain, coping, wellbeing

March spring and incorporating new coping strategies

Time for A Chronic Voice Linkup! Prompts for March: IncorporatingBreathingSmilingStoppingRelishing Something about March always tricks my brain into thinking it is Spring. Around here that is never the case. But this year it sure does feel like it. It is warm and the snow is melting. It is so nice. But it could be a … Continue reading March spring and incorporating new coping strategies

Nikki chronic pain, coping, coping with disability, disability, society

Survival mode with chronic pain and the lack of options we have in society

I have blogged about survival mode before. This is when we push through the pain long-term and get to a state where all other aspects of our lives shrink, we only do what is fundamentally necessary to exist and life is Just an existence. We do what we must and crash and burn at the … Continue reading Survival mode with chronic pain and the lack of options we have in society

Nikki chronic pain

When chronic pain is high with the winter weather

We had a surprisingly nice and pleasant start to the winter. AND then we were slammed in February with quite the downturn but also erratic shifts in barometric pressure. For me, this means high fibromyalgia pain, more weather trigger migraine attacks and even vestibular attacks if the barometric shifts are significant enough. So wild and … Continue reading When chronic pain is high with the winter weather

Nikki chronic pain, coping, wellbeing

Battling chronic pain with positive psychology and cultivating character strengths

I always want to explore my psychological, mental, emotional strengths or how to develop them with chronic pain. And there is a reason behind that. I am quite aware that medication doesn't just resolve pain. In fact, it really doesn't do that much for me. I have to do a whole lot of other things … Continue reading Battling chronic pain with positive psychology and cultivating character strengths