If you’ve been following my house hunting journey, you know I’ve toured several homes, each with their own personality and potential. After my first offer fell through, I considered a few more homes and finally decided to make another offer on a small house that was built sometime in the mid-late 1800s. While the neighborhood isn’t exactly what I had in mind, the large backyard, hardwood floors and practical floorplan make this home the perfect place for me and my pup. The coronavirus has certainly changed our day-to-day lives in the last few weeks. On the bright side, interest rates dropped just in time to lock in a great rate on my mortgage, and since I’m currently only working part-time, I’ll be able to use those extra hours to make a dent in repairs, yardwork, painting and moving (while also social distancing). My hope is that by the time all the work is done, the pandemic will be over and I’ll be able to throw a housewarming party!
I’ve also been using this time to get ahead on some smaller DIY projects, like painting a side table and the frame of an old mirror to coordinate with my new home’s décor. To see more of my projects (and progress on my home) be sure to follow me on Instagram.
0 Comments
Mister Rogers played a starring role in the childhood of my generation. Not only was he there in our living room every morning, wearing his signature cardigan and singing a familiar song, but his legacy and the lessons he taught us continue to echo through our adult lives today. When I learned that Tom Hanks – an icon in his own right – would be portraying my childhood hero in the new film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, I decided it was worth the splurge on a movie ticket.
After dog-earing half the pages in my copy, I decided to compile my favorite quotes for my own easy reference. If you have a chronic illness, these quotes might resonate with you too. Here are 13 of my absolute favorites, but I also recommend reading the entire book! "What’s been important in my understanding of myself and others is the fact that each one of us is so much more than any one thing. A sick child is much more than his or her sickness. A person with a disability is much, much more than a handicap. A pediatrician is more than a medical doctor. You’re much more than your job description or your age or your income or your output." "I believe that the basis of any health education lies in a person’s caring enough about himself that he’ll want to take care of himself. If we want people to eat the right food, brush their teeth, get the proper exercise, seek regular checkups, avoid cigarettes, dope, and poison, we must help these people feel that they’re really worth taking care of." "We’d all like to feel self-reliant and capable of coping with whatever adversity comes our way, but that’s not how most human beings are made. It’s my belief that the capacity to accept help is inseparable from the capacity to give help when our turn comes to be strong." "Some of my richest experiences have come out of the most painful times… those that were the hardest to believe would ever turn into anything positive." "Most children who are ill or have some kind of disability are afraid of their angry wishes. Their parents are afraid of their own anger, too. They’re afraid that any anger in themselves and in any others around them might end up in death." "Being in the best hospital in the world is still second-best to being home… and well." "When we can resign ourselves to the wishes that will never come true, there can be enormous energies available within us for whatever we can do. I know a woman who remembers the time when her wish to be married and have children would not be realized. She remembers the struggle of the final resignation, and then she remembers the outcome of that resignation. Enormous energies were available to her, which she used in developing uniquely creative work with young parents." "Some days, 'doing the best we can' may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn’t perfect – on any front – and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else." "There is no normal life that is free of pain. It’s the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth." "There are certainly no easy answers to growing older and being gracious about it, because there are going to be some days that you just don’t like it when you ache. But there are going to be other days when you can receive what others give. I don’t think any of us is going to be any one way all of the time."
"Part of the problem with 'disabilities' is that the word immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can’t feel? Or can’t talk about their feelings? Or can’t manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren’t able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness and find in life no joy, no love? These, it seems to me, are the truly crippling disabilities." Read about my earlier adventures in house hunting here. The hunt for the perfect home continues. I’ve toured several homes since I made my last offer on a house, and I’ve decided to increase my budget slightly. While I still love the idea of a fixer-upper, I’ve realized that the perks of a move-in-ready home are worth considering too.
Recently, I’ve toured three homes that all check most of my boxes. Melrose Manor wowed me with a beautiful loft, hardwood floors and a secret compartment in the bedroom closet (so cool!). But it sits awfully close to a busy street and the backyard is nice but small. The Country Cottage had a great layout and a huge yard, but the location wasn’t ideal. It sold shortly after I toured it, so that eliminated an option for me. After considering these homes – which all had some great plusses – I decided to make an offer on the Southside Starter, a small home on a quiet street with a large backyard (one of my most important requirements). It may be 100 years old, but the owners have updated the interior, which features beautiful hardwood floors and a modern kitchen and bath. It also has surprisingly high ceilings, which have me thinking about the possibility of bunk beds in the guest room. The master bedroom is enormous, and the smallest bedroom would make the perfect office space. The Southside Starter isn’t in my original search area, but it is located conveniently close to work and other amenities, and it’s within walking distance of downtown. Most importantly, it would be a great place to raise a dog. And if you know me at all, you know that I won’t be happy until my dog is happy. As we wait for a response on the offer, our fingers (and paws) are crossed! For updates on my house hunting escapades, be sure to subscribe. “Dependency” is not a word I typically use on a daily basis. I would imagine that, unless you work in a rehab facility or similar environment, it’s probably not a major staple in your vocabulary either. But lately I’ve been thinking about this word and, more specifically, what it means for people with chronic illness and/or disability. I would imagine a lot of people probably share the same initial reaction to this word. It evokes images of heroin addicts and alcoholics – people who are “dependent” on dangerous substances that may or may not be legal. But what about all the people who depend on resources ranging from medications like insulin to mobility aids or even caregivers to survive? Clearly, dependency can have different meanings to different people. For many people living with chronic illness, dependency is a fact of life. Whether we depend on the medications we take simply to keep us alive or to make it possible for us to work, walk or do any of the other daily activities that most people take for granted, we are forever reliant on something that’s often no bigger than our pinky nail. It’s both a humbling realization and a source of shame for many of us. I consider myself a natural optimist. But even I have caught myself in the dangerous thought-patterns of dependency from time to time. Recently, stories of the Holocaust have been circulating social media and every TV news channel in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. These stories take on a new meaning when you realize that at any other time in human history, the millions of people who depend on life-saving medications would face a very different fate than they do today.
Knowing that your existence and way of life is entirely dependent on a tiny, Tic Tac-sized pill manufactured and prescribed by other humans – who probably have no concept of the power they possess over your life – can be downright terrifying. How do you reconcile your sense of self-worth with your dependency on something entirely outside your control? How do you continue to view yourself as a successful, independent adult when your independence is only possible thanks to modern medicine and the stranger at the pharmacy counter?
I wholeheartedly believe that people with chronic illnesses and disabilities have value, and they deserve to have the same opportunities as anyone else. But I still struggle with these thoughts about my own dependency from time to time. Knowing that my body is practically useless without my medications can make me feel like I’ve somehow failed. Relying on my doctor, pharmacist and health insurer for the opportunity to live and thrive can make me feel utterly powerless. It’s a tough pill to swallow (pun intended). I don’t think dependency is something to be ashamed of. But I won’t lie and say I’ve never felt shame about my own dependency. I’m human after all. There might never be a cure for this cognitive dissonance, and I can’t say I won’t continue to struggle with it. But I think it’s important to find a balance between recognizing your dependency and exercising independence every chance you get. Many of the things I’ve accomplished wouldn’t be possible without the drugs that help me function, but that doesn’t make them any less laudable. I still put in the work. I still deserve the credit. We’re all dependent on something – even if it’s just the water we drink and the air we breathe – but that doesn’t mean we don’t have value. So whether you repeat an empowering mantra, talk to a supportive friend or write in a journal, take some time today to do something that reminds you of your worth. Because, regardless of who or what you depend on, you deserve it. Journaling is a powerful form of self-expression and self-care. And I’m not just talking about the diary with the little lock and the fuzzy pink pen that you kept under your bed when you were thirteen. Journaling can take many forms, from a traditional moleskine journal filled with thoughts and ideas to a sketchbook of doodles or even a blog.
1. It can help you work through difficult emotions and trauma.Journal therapy is often used to process traumatic events, and it’s a safe and effective way to deal with things that may be difficult to talk about. 2. You’ll feel more grateful.Gratitude journaling has become somewhat of a trend in recent years, and for good reason. Creating a habit of gratitude can cause a mindset shift that makes positivity your default state of mind. 3. It promotes mindfulness.Journaling, especially when done with an old-fashioned pen and paper, is a welcome break from a plugged-in world. It naturally forces you to slow down and consciously engage with the medium while you focus on being present in the moment. It’s really just a creative form of meditation. 4. It will boost your creativity.The act of writing engages the left side of the brain (the rational/logical side), freeing up the right side (the creative side) to express itself. That’s right – journaling can help you access your full brainpower. 5. You’ll be sick less often.Studies have shown that journaling not only boosts your immune system to help you fight off illness, but it also helps wounds heal faster, improves liver and lung function and even lessens symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. 6. It’s good for your memory.Studies have proven that journaling boosts memory and improves cognitive processing.
While the curriculum is designed with teens in mind, it can easily be adapted for adults of all ages. My hope is that this workshop can continue to give people the tools to cope with mental health challenges and realize some of the benefits of a daily journaling habit. And who knows – maybe one of these teens will turn out to be the next best-selling author or award-winning blogger. Have you experienced any perks of journaling yourself? Tell me in the comments! References
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-psychiatric-treatment/article/emotional-and-physical-health-benefits-of-expressive-writing/ED2976A61F5DE56B46F07A1CE9EA9F9F/core-reader https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2018/07/5-powerful-health-benefits-of-journaling/ https://www.fastcompany.com/3041487/8-tips-to-more-effective-journaling-for-health |
My name is Maggie Morehart, and I'm the creator of Incurable. Learn more.
Categories
All
More Places to Find Me |