Feel you. ME, fibro and hEDS in my case. I was particularly struck by you saying you can't do, say, social outings back to back. I can't do anything the day after I do something. I have had to learn to plan for it, especially as I've gotten into middle age. It's always striking for me to read someone else frankly saying stuff I too live.
My own struggles with anxiety and severe back pain have put me in a similar set of struggles. I used to be able to go 80 hours a week for years at a time; now, not so much. I feel what you’re saying here deeply! Keep up the great art, please: I’m excited as heck to get my copy of the Good Omens book!
Great post I have he opposite thyroid issue (Graves Disease). Fun! I also have energy ups and down too and mood swings which was the reason I wasn't at the chat last night. It affects my artwork and projects. In a rare spurt of energy I just swept the garage and back outside porch which have taken a lot out of me and will pay for it tomorrow as my wife warned me to take it easy, (she gets concerned with my heart and stuff).
Wow! You could be describing my own levels here. I've got Hashimoto's, and been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS.. My CFS and fibro diagnoses came before the Hashimoto's diagnosis, though.
Trying to figure out a "normal" is definitely hard. Scheduling things definitely helps, but scheduling is itself stressful at times
I feel ya. I started writing about this stuff about 2011, had NO idea how common and universal these issues were. Even found out my chronic migraines were directly related to my Hashimoto's. Our normal is, uh, well, whatever that week was. And then next week is different.
There's so much overlap in your strategies here to make time for art with mine in the face of increased caregiving for a 90 year old parent. Also, on #5? She can definitely suck it. Thank you. Great post.
Way too many people who make snotty comments about boundaries strategies make those comments based on an assumption of huge privileges, no responsibilities, and no disabilities. Every time. Without considering their own biases. It's exhausting.
I was coming to agree that person can absolutely suck it, but I see you beat me to it, Holly Bird. GMTA, lol!
And good on you for not letting that person's attitude get to you, Colleen! You're such a strong person throughout the physical and professional challenges you've described in this substack. I admire how you advocate for yourself, as that's a thing I can struggle with, myself.
People in online spaces often think in cliches, and in activist spaces, the push to never ever give up or give in is not seen as the sign of privilege it actually is. How many people have the time to or access to...you know...tweet 140 times a day? I don't. And...does it actually do any good? I don't think so.
I identify with you! I have P.O.T.S. (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and mitral valve prolapse, both of which seem to vary at different times and sometimes I’m full of energy and sometimes I’m being affected more.
Feel you. ME, fibro and hEDS in my case. I was particularly struck by you saying you can't do, say, social outings back to back. I can't do anything the day after I do something. I have had to learn to plan for it, especially as I've gotten into middle age. It's always striking for me to read someone else frankly saying stuff I too live.
Boy, that's a triple whammy. And yeah, as much as I wouldn't wish it on anyone, at the same time, nice to know we're not alone!
Can't tell you how much I miss acting, singing, doing comedy. These days it's the rare open mic night or busking
My own struggles with anxiety and severe back pain have put me in a similar set of struggles. I used to be able to go 80 hours a week for years at a time; now, not so much. I feel what you’re saying here deeply! Keep up the great art, please: I’m excited as heck to get my copy of the Good Omens book!
Great post I have he opposite thyroid issue (Graves Disease). Fun! I also have energy ups and down too and mood swings which was the reason I wasn't at the chat last night. It affects my artwork and projects. In a rare spurt of energy I just swept the garage and back outside porch which have taken a lot out of me and will pay for it tomorrow as my wife warned me to take it easy, (she gets concerned with my heart and stuff).
🖤🫂
Wow! You could be describing my own levels here. I've got Hashimoto's, and been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS.. My CFS and fibro diagnoses came before the Hashimoto's diagnosis, though.
Trying to figure out a "normal" is definitely hard. Scheduling things definitely helps, but scheduling is itself stressful at times
I feel ya. I started writing about this stuff about 2011, had NO idea how common and universal these issues were. Even found out my chronic migraines were directly related to my Hashimoto's. Our normal is, uh, well, whatever that week was. And then next week is different.
There's so much overlap in your strategies here to make time for art with mine in the face of increased caregiving for a 90 year old parent. Also, on #5? She can definitely suck it. Thank you. Great post.
Way too many people who make snotty comments about boundaries strategies make those comments based on an assumption of huge privileges, no responsibilities, and no disabilities. Every time. Without considering their own biases. It's exhausting.
I was coming to agree that person can absolutely suck it, but I see you beat me to it, Holly Bird. GMTA, lol!
And good on you for not letting that person's attitude get to you, Colleen! You're such a strong person throughout the physical and professional challenges you've described in this substack. I admire how you advocate for yourself, as that's a thing I can struggle with, myself.
People in online spaces often think in cliches, and in activist spaces, the push to never ever give up or give in is not seen as the sign of privilege it actually is. How many people have the time to or access to...you know...tweet 140 times a day? I don't. And...does it actually do any good? I don't think so.
I identify with you! I have P.O.T.S. (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and mitral valve prolapse, both of which seem to vary at different times and sometimes I’m full of energy and sometimes I’m being affected more.