Yesterday, I posted a video to my YouTube channel titled “Chronic Illness and New Directions”. I want to share the heart behind that video here on the blog, too, because that video was about the use of YouTube and the blog. This one. That you’re reading right now.
So, much like everyone else, 2020 has been a topsy-turvey whirlwind of a year around here. But beyond the covid-crisis and the racial tensions, there have been a ton of personal changes for me and my family this year.
Some examples:
- My daughter turned 1 in January
- I was on modified bed rest from January through March
- Our son was born in March
- My PPD/PPA/PPPTSD increased greatly
- I was diagnosed (finally!) with a chronic health issue
So, over the past several months, I have been pulling back on blogging, on business, on many things, as I’ve just been too sick and in too much pain to do much. I had to reserve my energy for momming & teaching & the like.
As we’ve discovered new ways to help me cope, help my body heal/recover, reduce flair ups, I’ve been wading back into the world – the virtual world. It’s summer in Oklahoma & there’s a global pandemic going on, so y’all know I’m only going outside if I have to.
Quarantine was made for people like me.
Anyway, that brings me back to this blog. As I’ve struggled with what to share in blog and video form, what I would share on these platforms, I realized that I just want to shift into documenting life as a wife, momma, business owner, ministry leader, and author while also navigating chronic health and mental health issues.
According to the CDC 6 in 10 Americans struggle with a chronic illness, and 4 in 10 struggle with 2 or more. These numbers don’t even take into account the millions who struggle with chronic mental health issues.
Those stats tell me that I’m not alone. And I’d guess (but, I could be wrong), I’d guess I’m not the only one navigating at least one of these things while also trying to be the best mom and wife I can be, run a business, work in ministry, write books, and whatever else I set my mind to.
So, I want this to be a place of connection, just as I’ve always hoped it would be. A place of hope, healing, coping, and connecting for other women, other mommas out there trying to navigate everything while dealing with one of many chronic conditions.
In that vein, I’ve decided to post every other Thursday, and make those Thursdays “Inspiration Thursdays” where I’ll share people, things, and places that have inspired me and encouraged me throughout all of this.
Today, for the first Inspiration Thursday, I’m going to share some YouTubers whose videos have been such an encouragement to me through this time:
- Lindsay Puckett – a fellow author. She’s spunky and adorable, and she’s very open and real on her channel. Also, if you’re a fellow author looking to go the traditional route, she has some great videos about writing craft books and the querying process.
- Jen (of NexJen & GreatBigToyBox) – she’s such a wonderful, sweet spirited person to watch. While not my typical kind of content, what I enjoy is her energy and her encouragement to her viewers. Also, we both have the Animal Crossing enjoyment in common.
- Jackie of NerdECrafter – if you enjoy a little saltiness in your life, this is the channel for you. She has a craft channel with a twist. And that twist is her snarkiness and her ability to fairly judge products, even if she hates them. But, she also cares about the world and has a genuinely caring heart.
- Katie of Royalty Soaps – I didn’t know I could enjoy watching someone make soap so much, but I find it so relaxing. Also, Katie’s zaney and quirky personality just add to the fun of the channel. As a fellow mom of two tiny humans, I love seeing how she manages to do it all.
While I also watch many others, these 4 channels have been my safe haven this 2020 as I’ve learned to navigate a chronic illness and how I feel about that. They have helped distract me from pain and headaches, and given me hope that there is light on the other side of treatment.
Check them out, show them some love.
And, finally, one BIG part of doing it all while navigating a mental health or chronic health issue is self-care. Real, daily self care. Literally taking care of ourselves.
In that vein, I’ve put together a little self-care guide (It’s Soul Cadence’s spring/summer 2020 guide). And, while this guide is originally targeted to my fellow work from home mommas, this guide can help us all take a little better care of ourselves (yes, I need my own advice sometimes).
If you’d like to grab a copy of that guide, sign up here and it will come straight to you:
Soul Cadence Creative: Coaching+Publishing 