New Release: The Ultimate Makeup Journal
Do you use makeup? I bet you have more than you technically need (I know I do). Maybe several of one particular kind — say lipstick, eyeshadow — plus a few rattling around in a drawer that you just can’t let go of. Maybe because of the way one brings out the light in your…
5 Tips for Coping When Your Illness Takes Over
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over my five decades with autoimmune arthritis, it’s that it ebbs and flows. There are times when everything’s as great as it can be, others when you enter the abyss, and everything in between. Having a chronic illness is much like being on a roller coaster, except slower and…
The Healing Touch: How My Mother Took Away My Pain When Nothing Else Could
“That pain you had… For a mother to see a child with that kind of pain, is so terrible.” — My mom, Birthe Andersen I have had juvenile arthritis since I was four years old, which means this condition and I recently celebrated (?) 50 years together. For most of that time, there were no…
When Strong Gets in the Way
This post is written for the Facebook Live conversation between myself and Kirsten Schultz on how to stop being so damn strong. You can see Kirsten’s post here. I am very good at lying to myself. So good, in fact, that most of the time, I have no idea that I’m pulling the wool over…
RA vs OA: This Ain’t Your Grandfather’s Arthritis
Updated August 4, 2020 Ask anyone with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to tell you about their biggest frustration and chances are they’ll mention the misperception that it is similar to osteoarthritis (OA). You know the moment — you explain that you have RA and they say, “oh yes, I know exactly what you mean. My knee…
What We Need From Others When We’re in Pain
Image description: rear view of two women sitting on a bench by a harbour. One woman is resting her head on the other’s shoulder. Pain is invisible. Which makes it hard to explain, and difficult for others to understand. I talked to the chronic pain community on Twitter and Facebook and they shared what they…
How to Train Your Rheumatologist in Six Easy Steps
Congratulations on getting yourself a brand-new rheumatologist! Rheumatologists — or rheumies, as they are affectionately known in the community — can add so much value to living with any kind of arthritis. Like any other new relationship, though, you have to get used to each other, and your rheumatologist has to come to understand how…
My Favourite Books That Helped Me Live Better with Chronic Illness
This post may contain affiliate links. I have read voraciously for pleasure since I was a child. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that books can also educate, support, and help you figure out how to live in this world. This can be extra helpful when you live with a chronic illness and are flailing…
Lisa Sniderman: Being a Light in the Darkness for People with Chronic Illness
Lisa Sniderman`s book A Light in the Darkness: Transcending Chronic Illness through the Power of Art and Attitude is a memoir of her life as an artist with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease. Using her artist persona, Aoede, the Muse of Song in Greek mythology, she greeted songs informed, winning multiple awards, until sidelined by…
#3Things FAQ: Small Steps to Build a Better Life with Chronic Illness
You may have seen me talk about #3Things on various social media channels. In case you don’t know what I mean, here’s an FAQ. What, exactly, is #3Things? #3Things is a gentle way to build a better life with chronic illness. I wanted to help people with chronic illness accomplish goals in a positive way that respects…
How to Pace Yourself with Chronic Illness
How do you learn to pace yourself with chronic illness? It’s more complicated than just deciding to do things more slowly — there are a lot of emotional aspects to this process, as well as learning a whole new way of leading your life. One of the most frustrating aspects of chronic illness is that…
From Helplessness to Hope with Chronic Illness: 5 Strategies to Push Back Depression
I had a rough entry into the holidays. The fates conspired to send me a number of events over which I had little control. On top of already existing stress, plus having slammed it into overdrive to prepare for the holidays, my body (and mind) had had enough. So I got sick. Or rather, I…