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November 2017 Prompts: Discovering, Rediscovering, Anticipating, Decluttering & Cherishing

December Prompts: Discovering, Rediscovering, Anticipating, Decluttering & Cherishing. | www.achronicvoice.com

What or who will you be discovering, rediscovering, anticipating, decluttering and cherishing this November? You’re free to interpret these keywords as you like, and here’s my list! I hope you’ll join me in sharing more insight about life with chronic illnesses 🙂

Click here to submit your own entry, and to read what others are up to as well!

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Discovering

the importance of gut health. While I’ve heard the term ‘leaky gut’ (or intestinal permeability) and have read up a little about it, there’s still so much I have yet to learn. Did you know that up to 70% of our immune system and 95% of serotonin resides in our guts? It definitely wouldn’t hurt to take better care of it!

I am currently reading Dr Michael Mosley’s book, “The Clever Guts Diet”, in hope that it sheds more light on this topic. So far it’s been a fascinating read, and I must say that he’s a captivating writer who’s managed to turn a potentially dry subject into something easy to digest (pun intended)!

Buy the Book Here:
The Clever Guts Diet book by Dr Michael Mosley
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Buy It from Book Depository

Rediscovering

old friendships. People drift in and out of our lives as time takes us down different paths, even if they were once good friends. It’s totally normal and more than okay, yet sometimes life brings you back full circle. I went out the other night with two good old school mates, and we had fun! It was one of those rare good days where I could handle a few drinks, which was a bonus 🙂 These are people whom I’m super comfortable with, and who’d never judge me for my health. I never have to worry about explaining myself, and know that if shit hits the fan, they’d take care of me with nary a complaint. Perhaps that’s why I could relax, be myself, and use every single spoon for pleasure!

My wannabe artistic shot of guess what drink? | www.achronicvoice.com
My wannabe artistic shot of guess what drink?

Anticipating

a little holiday in November December! Our original plan to catch some autumn scenery doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, so we’ve postponed it to the Christmas holidays. We don’t know where we’ll go yet, but I’m looking forward to travelling again! Wherever it is, I’ll take the opportunity to get out into nature more, and to take a break from blogging and social media. I’m truly grateful to have the means and opportunity to travel despite circumstances. I also have my fingers crossed that I won’t get another random cyst rupture during then!

Decluttering

our apartment. It’s not that big so there’s lots of stuff lying around in the open, with no place to go. Hanging the clothes out to dry can immediately make the space look cluttered. Add the ironing board and the place is a disgrace! Also, pet birds = constant mess. I’ve come to realise that there is no way to have a spick and span environment with pet birds; they can make a mess outside their cages even while inside 😉 No one can deny that a clean and well organised space is bliss, and invokes a better state of mind and wellbeing. It’s definitely worth a little time and effort every day if possible. It’s also a blessing to have a roof over my head, and I want to honour that by maintaining it to the best of my ability.

Keyboard thief 1 | www.achronicvoice.com
Keyboard thief 1
Keyboard thief 2 | www.achronicvoice.com
Keyboard thief 2
Discussing their next revolt | www.achronicvoice.com
Discussing their next revolt
Also known as 'The Blue Monster' | www.achronicvoice.com
Also known as ‘The Blue Monster’

Cherishing

good days. While I still get hit by bad days every now and then (in fact, it hasn’t been a good week and I just puked my guts out), over all I think the good days have increased a little as well. So I’m attempting to cut down my steroids (again and again!), ever so cautiously. Even a small change of 2.5mg can make a big difference in terms of pain control for me.

Here's 2.5mg of prednisone (steroids). Does it look innocuous or what? | www.achronicvoice.com
Here’s 2.5mg of prednisone (steroids). Does it look innocuous or what?

Thank you for reading, and I hope to read about your thoughts for November as well! Click here to submit your own entry, and to read about what others are up to as well!

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10 comments

  • I just have to say, your pet birds are the cutest. 🙂 Glad to see that you’re keeping things organized. 🙂
    I do agree that the gut is of great importance to one’s health! My mom, who’s had two bouts with lymphoma, has been seeing an integrative doctor, who also opened us up to the idea of changing our diet to improve the quality of our lives. Now if only fresh fruits and vegetables were more accessible to me and my partner!
    I remember getting an allergy to antibiotics once, and suffering from a bad case of hives for almost one whole week. The hives improved when I took OMX (probiotics).

    • Thank you Cza, they are really cute until they poop on you and bite you ;p Why is it so difficult to get fruits and vegetables where you are? (Just curious!) I have access and should make you of it more, I admit! 🙂

  • It’s so great that you were able to enjoy a night out. Little victories like that can help sustain us for a long time, I feel. Also, I’m excited that you will get to go on a trip soon. Hope cutting down the prednisone goes well!

  • Thank you for these wonderful words! I so enjoyed your blog on them!

  • I loved seeing the pictures of your birds! Prednisone does look innocuous. I have a love/hate relationship with it. When my asthma flares it’s the only thing that helps, but it wrecks havoc with sleep and my stomach. I’m so glad you were able to enjoy time with your friends.

    • Thanks Kathy! Yes the birds have brought much joy and life into an otherwise dull home 🙂 Same for me, prednisone is the only thing that can control a major flare, when strong painkillers do nothing. For me the worst side effect is psychological; I end up pacing about all night and feel like I’m going mad. Yes, going out every now and then is enjoyable, although I tend to dread them before I go, the whole pre meditated anxiety about overdoing it thing 😉

  • I really enjoyed reading these. I agree that the “gut” is a fascinating topic! I’ve always suffered with stomach problems, but by making some pretty big changes to my diet over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed a marked improvement. I also find that when my stomach is happier, so is the rest of me! So I experience less pain for example. So glad you managed to enjoy a night out. It’s always lovely when our health allows us to do a little bit of “normal!” Good luck with the decluttering! That’s definitely something we could do with doing!

    • Thanks Emma! 🙂 Yes a lot of people seem to have good results with improving their gut health/diet…in any case, definitely good to try 🙂 And yes, some normal days are always such a blessing 😉 xx

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