In this follow-up to my first Q&A with artist Abi Stevens, she shares the story behind some of her new enamel pin designs. Abi funded her first collection of spoonie pins through Kickstarter, and her second campaign is wrapping up now. She also sells her work on Etsy. Read on to find out what Abi’s been up to and learn more about her new creations. Q: What inspired you to create your newest designs?
Q: How has the pandemic affected you and your art?A: It's definitely increased my stress levels, and at various points this has made it difficult to engage with creative work. I was lucky in that I didn't lose any scheduled work due to lockdown, and having external deadlines to work to made it easier to keep creating. Finding inspiration and motivation for my personal work has been more difficult though. I've focused on simpler, quicker pieces that are easier to work on when I'm struggling. I only went full-time freelance with my illustration and online shop late last year so it's been interesting trying to grow a business during such unstable times, especially as my business was too new to qualify me for government assistance! Q: Can you describe your creative process?
With these pins I already had a style in mind from previous designs, so I looked up various weapons I was interested in including for reference photos, then went straight into Photoshop. My research phase was mostly deciding which conditions I wanted to represent at this stage and discussing the choices and phrases with other Spoonies. Q: Do you follow a self-care routine?A: I try to but I have ADHD so I have trouble developing and sticking to routines. A big priority is to make sure I drink enough during the day (which I used to forget to do all the time), so I keep a water bottle at my desk. I have an app on my computer which reminds me to take screen breaks and this helps me remember to eat regularly and get up and stretch too. When I'm doing better with routines (the lockdown threw my previous self-care routine out the window) I take yoga classes, go to the gym, take hot baths/showers and massage sessions, which help me reduce severe muscle tension which is both caused by and triggers my Migraine attacks. I also do my best to regulate my sleep by going to bed around the same time each night. My biggest challenges right now are cooking proper meals and sticking to defined work/rest times. I have a habit of letting work bleed into my evenings and weekends.
I still do this sometimes by mistake, especially when I'm very invested in a project, but it really isn't worth it. Applying the standards of a healthy person's full-time office job to working for yourself while chronically ill is a recipe for disaster. I try to remind myself regularly that I don't have to achieve all of my goals all at once; the only timetable I'm following is my own, so I'm free to create one that doesn't compromise my physical and mental health.
If you want to share your talents and experience too, then go for it! Please be as honest as you're comfortable being, because I think it's important not to accidentally play into the erasure of our struggles, but the more of us out there sharing our stories and our creations, the more we can fight back against ableism and combat misconceptions.
0 Comments
With protests and demonstrations taking place around the country, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get involved in the Black Lives Matter movement. I was even able to participate in a peaceful protest in my small town, and many surrounding towns have held their own events in recent weeks. Unfortunately, these events aren’t always accessible to people with chronic illness or disability – not to mention the risk of spreading coronavirus, which is still a major concern throughout the US. But that doesn’t mean you can’t support the movement from home. Here are five ways you can get involved and show your support without setting foot outside the house:
3. Support businesses that support the movement.Many organizations have stepped up to help and are donating a portion of their profits to the cause. You can also support local black-owned businesses in your area.
5. Read/Watch.Educate yourself by reading a book by a black author, like Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, or watch a movie or documentary about black history. Netflix’s 13th is a great place to start! How are you advocating for justice while social distancing? Tell me in the comments!
COVID-19 has us all paying a little more attention to the air we breathe, especially when that air is being filtered through a mask. Many of us are also spending more time confined to our homes, although I’ve noticed more and more people out and about in search of fresh air, sunshine and their sanity. I’ll admit, until recently, I never gave much thought to the quality of the air in my house. But as a new homeowner, I’ve learned this is a mistake. Whether you have a respiratory illness or not, air quality should be a priority. Just as the food we eat and the fluids we drink have an enormous effect on the way our bodies feel and function, the air we breathe can either help or harm us. Luckily, I have some great clients who have helped me gain a better understanding of my new home’s air quality. Here are a few things I’ve learned about airflow, radon, mold and HVAC systems that you might find useful. AirflowVariables like wind direction and window placement will affect the airflow in your home. But that doesn’t mean that it’s out of your control. Casement windows and even shrubs can be placed strategically to create pressure zones and help direct airflow. The size and location of air inlets and outlets will also affect the flow and temperature of your indoor air. Since hot air rises, inlets should be as low as possible with outlets as high as possible. In most cases, the size of inlets and outlets should be equal. If you notice issues with airflow or temperature control, an expert can evaluate your home and recommend strategies that fit your budget. RadonIn addition to a basic home inspection, I chose to have the radon levels in my home checked before closing. After writing this blog post for a client, it seemed like a no-brainer, especially since I live in a part of the country that’s notorious for high radon levels. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer (after cigarette smoke), and the EPA estimates that radon leads to more deaths each year than drunk driving. If you smoke or live with someone who does, your risk of developing lung cancer is even higher. The cost of mitigation varies, but it’s often comparable to other common home repairs, and the peace of mind that comes with it is priceless. Mold and Humidity
Heating and CoolingLuckily, another client of mine offers professional air duct cleaning. Since my home had previously been rented to a family with small children and not maintained properly, having my ducts cleaned seemed like a wise decision. And when I saw the results, I realized it was worth every penny! Along with bags of dust and grime, my ducts produced crayons, toy cars, paper towel rolls, loose change, Mardi Gras beads and homework (among other junk). After having my ducts cleaned, I learned that contaminants in your air ducts can make your heating and cooling system less effective. In fact, 25-40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home is wasted. You can improve the air you breathe as well as the efficiency of your HVAC system with professional air duct cleaning. Yes, Plants Really Can HelpYou’ve probably heard that plants can help to filter the carbon dioxide in the air, and that’s true. But they can do a lot more than that. Phytoremediation – the removal of environmental toxins by plants – can help to reduce respiratory symptoms and stress while increasing work performance. One study conducted by NASA suggests that air quality can be improved by incorporating 15-18 houseplants in an 1,800-square-foot home. Just keep in mind that plants can contribute to moisture in the air, so be conscious of the humidity levels in your house. What have you done to improve the air quality in your home? Tell me in the comments!
Note: This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. If you have questions about your caffeine consumption or any medications you take, talk to your doctor. Over the course of my life so far, I’ve had a dynamic relationship with America’s favorite drug. As a kid, I remember drinking Mountain Dew, eating sugary snacks and staying up all night at slumber parties. When I started having respiratory issues in middle school, my doctor suggested I cut caffeine completely, and it seemed to help. For many years, I was caffeine-free. In college, I’d occasionally drink caffeinated pop, but only as a vehicle for alcohol. Around the time I graduated from college, my love affair with tea began. I’ve never been a coffee drinker, but my tea intake has only increased over the years. I wouldn’t say I’m an addict. But I’ve watched friends struggle through the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, and I know it’s not an easy habit to kick.
1. Caffeine can interact with many prescription medications.According to drugs.com, there are 82 known drug interactions with caffeine that can cause mild to severe symptoms ranging from dizziness to bleeding to overdose. Some effects can even be fatal. So it’s important to talk with your doctor before beginning any new medications or changing your caffeine intake. Click here for a list of the most common drugs that interact with caffeine. 2. Caffeine can exacerbate some heart conditions and anxiety disorders.Because caffeine increases heart rate, it could be dangerous for some people with underlying conditions. If you have a heart condition or anxiety, you may want to limit your caffeine intake and talk to your doctor about the possible effects. 3. Like any drug, there is a risk of addiction and overdose.Healthy adults shouldn’t consume more than 300-400 mg of caffeine in a day. For children, women who are pregnant or people with heart conditions, that number is much lower. Of course, caffeine is also an addictive substance. Withdrawal can include a wide variety of symptoms, from headaches to problems with sleep and depression. 4. Caffeine can cause insomnia.One of the most well-known effects of caffeine – and one of the reasons we love it – is the jolt of energy and alertness that it provides. This may be a welcome side effect in the morning, but consuming caffeine later in the day could lead to insomnia. 5. Caffeine is a natural performance enhancer.There’s a reason many sports drinks and supplements contain caffeine. In addition to helping you stay awake and alert, it can improve endurance while fighting inflammation and reducing pain. But like most other supplements, it’s best used in moderation. 6. It may have neuroprotective effects.Some studies have indicated benefits of caffeine in preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and some types of hyperactivity disorders. More research is needed, but it’s clear that caffeine can impact the human brain in some positive ways. Like many drugs and medications, different people can respond differently to caffeine. For some, it could be the perfect pick-me-up on a Monday morning. For others, it could cause headaches, sleeplessness or worse. If you’re not sure how caffeine may be affecting you, try keeping a journal. Note your caffeine intake each day and how you feel. Within a few weeks, you should be able to identify any obvious patterns and adjust your intake accordingly. And if caffeine just isn’t for you, there are some fabulous caffeine-free herbal teas that are both delicious and healthy!
Are you stuck at home and stressed to the max? Try some of these self-care activities to recharge and give yourself a break. You deserve it!
|
My name is Maggie Morehart, and I'm the creator of Incurable. Learn more.
Categories
All
More Places to Find Me |