I got your newsletter for the first time today, right after a day and a half flare of one of my chronic illnesses. I remember feeling good last night because I, at least, got a lot of writing done... so yeah, rest is still hard, I still feel that I fail, or even that I'll get in trouble when I do. I like the idea of being a work in progress, though :) Thanks.
This is the most relatable aspect of the healing journey. I have major depression for 15 years (30F) and I always relied on being energetic to feel good. I was high-functioning; going to university then working out for 3 hours to come back home only to go to club. But what happened? After moving to another country to a safe place, every trauma that has been stored unfolded. I thought moving to my dream country(Switzerland) would fix most of my problems but I developed serious fibromylgia, IBS, migraine, hypothyroid and lymphedema which basically rendered me of my freedom of movement. My body said stop and made me stop. I have been using antidepressants which help a lot but also started therapy alongside. And I realized how my body has taken control to heal me, to make me realize how I depended on chaos and adrenaline to dissociate. Now, I have to take everything slow, even a slightest force of my body backfires with pain and swelling. It is so hard considering I am a MA candidate and also have to work. But you cannot win against your body and I am going with its flow and finally healing slowly...
I've learnt to let the quiet happen... chronic disabling illness can do that to you.
To start with when I first became ill I was in the mindset of time limits for healing and ticking boxes off. It didn't work because like so many I didn't honor the quiet space needed to heal.
I've learnt over the last 5 years that if you need to do something then you need to make sure you have the energy (mentally and physically) to do it properly the first time, because not resting means you'll have to keep going back to fix the mistakes you made by pushing to hard when your not ready.
Being productive means looking after both your physical and mental health, it saves time in the long run
Hi Dr Elliott, after being a longtime subscriber to your YouTube channel, I found out you have a Substack! This really resonated with me as someone who lost their Mum this February. Before she passed, I was in my first few months of university, but I have since dropped out to take some time for myself. I’ve definitely struggled with feeling guilty for not being “productive” or “getting back on track,” but I keep reminding myself that it’s ok to have days where I just get through the day, and it’s ok to not be in the same place as others my age. The hardest thing has been seeing everyone else in my life carry on, as if nothing changed when my Mum died. For me, it’s all changed, so I try to be proud of myself for each “unproductive” day I have. Doing anything is doing something, and I guess that’s progress 🤍
I got your newsletter for the first time today, right after a day and a half flare of one of my chronic illnesses. I remember feeling good last night because I, at least, got a lot of writing done... so yeah, rest is still hard, I still feel that I fail, or even that I'll get in trouble when I do. I like the idea of being a work in progress, though :) Thanks.
This is the most relatable aspect of the healing journey. I have major depression for 15 years (30F) and I always relied on being energetic to feel good. I was high-functioning; going to university then working out for 3 hours to come back home only to go to club. But what happened? After moving to another country to a safe place, every trauma that has been stored unfolded. I thought moving to my dream country(Switzerland) would fix most of my problems but I developed serious fibromylgia, IBS, migraine, hypothyroid and lymphedema which basically rendered me of my freedom of movement. My body said stop and made me stop. I have been using antidepressants which help a lot but also started therapy alongside. And I realized how my body has taken control to heal me, to make me realize how I depended on chaos and adrenaline to dissociate. Now, I have to take everything slow, even a slightest force of my body backfires with pain and swelling. It is so hard considering I am a MA candidate and also have to work. But you cannot win against your body and I am going with its flow and finally healing slowly...
♡
I've learnt to let the quiet happen... chronic disabling illness can do that to you.
To start with when I first became ill I was in the mindset of time limits for healing and ticking boxes off. It didn't work because like so many I didn't honor the quiet space needed to heal.
I've learnt over the last 5 years that if you need to do something then you need to make sure you have the energy (mentally and physically) to do it properly the first time, because not resting means you'll have to keep going back to fix the mistakes you made by pushing to hard when your not ready.
Being productive means looking after both your physical and mental health, it saves time in the long run
Hi Dr Elliott, after being a longtime subscriber to your YouTube channel, I found out you have a Substack! This really resonated with me as someone who lost their Mum this February. Before she passed, I was in my first few months of university, but I have since dropped out to take some time for myself. I’ve definitely struggled with feeling guilty for not being “productive” or “getting back on track,” but I keep reminding myself that it’s ok to have days where I just get through the day, and it’s ok to not be in the same place as others my age. The hardest thing has been seeing everyone else in my life carry on, as if nothing changed when my Mum died. For me, it’s all changed, so I try to be proud of myself for each “unproductive” day I have. Doing anything is doing something, and I guess that’s progress 🤍
Hey Dr. Elliott, Happy Pride month (from the U.S.) 🌈🏳️🌈