HOPES & DREAMS
Life is filled with moments where we hope. And where we dream. I have learned to be wary of hope but to embrace dreams.
Author: slyemm
LONG IN THE TOOTH
Not so long ago, I needed to go the dentist. It was a highly traumatic experience for me. With the level of trauma I had, you’d think I’d perhaps had a root canal, tooth extraction or dental implant. But no – I had a check-up.
EATING DISORDER RECOVERY: KEY EIGHT
According to the authors, the first seven keys are about recovering ‘from’ and this key is about recovering ‘to’. The focus is on searching for the spiritual, soulful side of ourselves – which can sound like mumbo jumbo if you’re not willing to be open-minded. I’m applying my willingness to this key.
AGING WITH RLS: THE LADY IN THE PURPLE HAT
We’re all getting older. This is a shared human experience – whether we want it or not. Caring for my grandmother as she gently floated to the magnificent age of 98 and two thirds, I became aware that older people seem to be more exaggerated versions of their younger selves.
GOING MENTAL: THE IMPACT OF INSOMNIA ON MY MENTAL HEALTH
This is the story of a woman who went mad. Lack of sleep will do that to you. When I was a baby I didn’t sleep fantastically well. Things haven’t improved.
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS: SLEEPING ALONGSIDE SLEEP APNEA
My husband has sleep apnea. He has both central sleep apneas (CSA) and obstructive sleep apneas (OSA). When he had his sleep study done, it showed […]
EATING DISORDER RECOVERY: KEY SEVEN
There is a very good book called 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb. I have started the keys on numerous occasions in the past, but now I feel completely ready to tackle them all. There are multiple writing exercises within each key, so without giving away the entire contents of the book, over the course of eight weeks I want to share my recovery journey with you. The following is a composite of all my answers for this key.
SO WHAT DO YOU ‘DO’ IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
Even with well medicated restless legs syndrome (RLS), I’m often awake and twiddling my thumbs during the night. Wondering what to do with myself.
EATING DISORDER RECOVERY: KEY SIX
There are a lot of behaviours associated with eating disorders – some cross between different types of disorders and some are stand-alone. If you don’t change behaviour you can’t recover.
ONE DAY I WOKE UP
Eating disorder behaviour isn’t about ignorance – we all know how to eat properly. Rather, it’s a coping mechanism that is extremely hard to let go of and the thought of not using ED behaviours is, quite frankly, terrifying. If I’m not numb, what will happen? But this girl had transformed from full-on eating disorder patient to completely recovered.
DRIVING ME NUTS: STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING RLS IN A CAR
In order to go away for a delightful break, I have to get there. And that involves some sort of transportation – in this case, a car. Just thinking about having to travel in a vehicle induces an anxiety response – increased heart rate, shallow breathing, messy headspace and a nervous jiggle.
OUT & ABOUT
A month or so back I won a travel writing competition. I was pretty excited about that. To enter you had to submit 150 words about your favourite travel destination. As per usual I wrote about 1000 then had to trim it down. So it ended up a little truncated however, it passed the test and I won.
EATING DISORDER RECOVERY: KEY FIVE
There is a very good book called 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb. I have started the keys on numerous occasions in the past, but now I feel completely ready to tackle them all. There are multiple writing exercises within each key, so without giving away the entire contents of the book, over the course of eight weeks I want to share my recovery journey with you. The following is a composite of all my answers for this key.
30 RECOVERY SONGS
Music is powerful. Babies are comforted by music in utero. My son used to wake up and dance to the ‘Sound of Music’ when I was six months pregnant and performing in the show. So it stands to reason something as emotionally challenging as recovery from [name your problem] can benefit from soaking in the soporific sounds of music that speaks to the heart.
EATING DISORDER RECOVERY: KEY FOUR
There is a very good book called 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb. I have started the keys on numerous occasions in the past, but now I feel completely ready to tackle them all. There are multiple writing exercises within each key, so without giving away the entire contents of the book, over the course of eight weeks I want to share my recovery journey with you. The following is a composite of all my answers for this key.