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

Nikki chronic illness, chronic pain, disability, Invisible disability awareness, work

Should I inform an employer I have a disability?

You apply for a job. You have all the skills and experience required for it. Maybe you have a gap in your resume because you needed treatment of some sort for your disability but you are ready to get back to it. You see that little box on the application- Do you have a disability? … Continue reading Should I inform an employer I have a disability?

Nikki acceptance, chronic illness, chronic pain, coping, wellbeing

Radical acceptance with chronic pain and illness

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/well/mind/radical-acceptance-suffering.html So radical acceptance sounds like something I would say as a kid. 'Totally Radical, man'. And when I read about the concept it actually is something I haven't been shown how to do by a psychologist but rather something I have taught myself to do over the years with chronic pain. I like to … Continue reading Radical acceptance with chronic pain and illness

Nikki chronic illness, chronic pain, complementary/alternative treatments, coping, gratitude journal, review, wellbeing

Review: Begin Within Health Journal

I value a good health journal and prefer one that is paper based, although this particular one also comes in a PDF version. I just find it relaxing after all the things we do these days online to just write in a journal at the end of the day. Especially when the journal is combined … Continue reading Review: Begin Within Health Journal