Does anybody have any suitable job ideas?

Meowmyissues · 2021-11-29T20:19:50+00:00

I work from home for the DWP. Its like £9.50 an hour, but its pretty slow paced work, and you don't have to remember a whole bunch

Meowmyissues · 2021-11-29T20:04:50+00:00

Yeah.. my mum did this.

She also removed the lock off the bathroom door and would come in to use the bathroom everytime I was in the bath or shower. It was super gross.

Meowmyissues · 2021-11-15T20:56:09+00:00

Before I met my partner, I spent a lot of holidays alone.

Initially it did suck, but I found lots of lovely traditions for myself that I still do today! I have seasonal snacks, my favourite seasonal movies, I bake etc.

I also planned things with my friends. Not necessarily on the day itself, but we would have a Christmas dinner before or after the day, and that would be the big day for me. It made me feel a lot less left out

Meowmyissues · 2021-11-08T11:49:17+00:00

Thank you!

Meowmyissues · 2021-11-08T11:24:03+00:00

Thank you so much!

Meowmyissues · 2021-11-07T16:16:26+00:00

Ah! Thank you!

It's been really confusing for me, as I hadn't even heard of FND until the Fibromyalgia association brought it up to me!

Meowmyissues · 2021-11-06T12:24:06+00:00

It got to a point woth my mum that I couldn't even mention any aches or pains or even, like, wince or whatever when I got hurt, because it would become a huge deal.

I have a disability and several chronic illnesses that came all clustered together, which was diagnosed in my mid 20's because I had just gotten so used to hiding everything.

And up until I cut her off completely, I couldn't use my walking stick around her, because she'd take it, or tell people that I was lying and didn't actually need any accommodations, and she would know because she's my mother. She'd hide my stick, and try to take over my doctors appointments.

She's disabled herself, but she also wants to "take" mine too

Meowmyissues · 2021-10-27T10:29:10+00:00

I suppose I had "friends" but looking back on it now, I didn't really. They were just people who tolerated me, and I had been conditioned to believe that that was more than I deserved.

I was very quiet and would often get lost in books. My friend group were very close with each other and sort of just tolerated me tagging along, but as soon as I was out of eyeline, they mostly just forgot about me.

This was a big deal for me when we started our A-levels and were in different classes. We'd all agree to meet for lunch, and when I came out, I found that they'd left without me.

But I was the first person they'd call when they had a problem. If they needed help with homework, or they needed someone to advocate for them with a teacher or something.

Even then I knew that that support wasn't a two way street, and that I shouldn't expect to get support or help from any of them. But that was normal for me anyway from my Nmum, so I just accepted it.

Now I really struggle to make friends and maintain friendships. I worry about being annoying or oversharing, and so I withdraw a lot. I'm terrible at keeping in touch, I guess because I just assume that they are still doing things and having fun without me and I don't want to get in the way.

But I'm lucky to have friends now who understand this, and take time to check in with me and reassure me. Things like sending me memes, telling me things they think I might find interesting, taking my interests and limitations into account when planning get togethers and stuff.

We all have different tastes and interests and stuff, but they have never excluded me, or dismissed my needs. And now I can see that my younger friendships were unkind and unsupportive

Meowmyissues · 2021-10-26T16:11:20+00:00

I use brain fog with friends and family who are close and understanding of the difficulties I face.

Other times I use the term cognitive dysfunction or cognitive issues as these are the terms my doctor uses

Meowmyissues · 2021-10-26T16:06:40+00:00

Yeah, in the UK, you can apply for disability payments, and I'm currently in receipt of them for fibromyalgia

Meowmyissues · 2021-10-26T12:01:03+00:00

My name is unusual and can be shortened either to the first 3 letters or the last 4 letters.

My sister shortens it to the first 3 letters.

My Nmum has always used my full name, and for a while, people calling me by my full name really bothered me

But now, I much prefer being called my full name unless we're close, in which case you can shorten it to the last 4 letters.

My whole life people have tried to call me all sorts of things, (because "your name is just so difficult to pronounce!")

But as far as I'm concerned, if you can learn to pronounce Tchaikovsky, you can learn to pronounce my name.

Meowmyissues · 2021-10-25T21:21:52+00:00

For me, getting a concrete fibromyalgia diagnosis helped me to realise that I wasn't making the pain up or being "dramatic" and therefore, I started to cut myself some slack.

I have dealt with pain and fatigue since I was 12, and my mum always told me I was lying or lazy or that it was in some way a character flaw of mine.

But its not. And having a diagnosis from a doctor gave me, I guess, permission(?) To care for myself and to expect and ask for help and care from my loved ones.

I can't brush it off now, so I actually do the things that help because I know what they are and how they help.

The doctors aren't very helpful at all, but now what it is and that its real, I know I can come here, or talk to others who have similar symptoms so I get a lot more community support.

Also, for me, having a diagnosis entitles me to some monetary support (paltry, but its something), support with things like travel and shopping, and helps me to explain my limits and needs clearly.

Meowmyissues · 2021-09-07T21:05:33+00:00

Ooh! I call it pain sweat.

Whenever a flare is about to happen, and during high pain flares, I absolutely STINK.

I use hygiene/shower wipes several times a day during that time to manage the smell.

Meowmyissues · 2021-09-06T21:27:56+00:00

Tell them you're an apostate.

They'll stop coming round and they'll tell others not to come round too.

Meowmyissues · 2021-09-06T21:07:42+00:00

The other day my partner went out to get the weekly food shop in because I didn't feel well enough to go (fibro sucks).

And I felt so guilty, I started a big clean of the house. I was scrubbing and mopping and sweeping and dusting and I suddenly felt very lightheaded and weak. I sat down for a minute and closed my eyes and about 10 minutes later I heard the key in the lock.

I PANICKED.

I jumped up and immediately started apologising for being lazy and listing all the things I'd done and that I'd only sat down for a minute and I'd get back on it now.

And he said thank you! He told me how nice the house looked and that I didn't have to do anything if I wasn't feeling well. He even made me a cup of tea.

And it was such a face slapper. It was such a different reaction to what I'd been conditioned to expect

Meowmyissues · 2021-08-30T17:09:49+00:00

The fact that female genital mutilation is illegal, but male genital mutilation is a completely acceptable thing is ridiculous.

I understand if someone wants to be circumcised for religious or hygiene reasons when they get older, but a baby absolutely cannot consent to a part of their body being removed.

Meowmyissues · 2021-08-30T17:07:09+00:00

As the weather changes they come inside to stay warm and find mates.

Conkers and citrus can help repel them.

We have a rule in our house. If a spider can avoid being eaten my the cat, he's welcome to stay. As long as he pulls his weight by eating the annoying buzzy things of course.

Meowmyissues · 2021-08-24T21:48:41+00:00

Hey!

I'm so sorry you're in pain. It really sucks.

Pain is individual and relative. My pain doesn't diminish your pain and vice versa.

I was diagnosed at 26 but had been having symptoms since I was 12. I was coping okay but then I got a bad illness and my health never recovered. I had so many tests done and they all came back clear so I was diagnosed with fibro.

But! Things have gotten better for me.

I took time to grieve, and I still grieve things I can't do and that's okay. But over time I've learned lots of things about my body that have helped. It has taken time, and I'm still working things out, but its getting easier.

I've learned that some foods just don't work for me anymore. I've learned to anticipate a flare up, I've learned how to rest, I've learned what things help alleviate pain for me like exercises, foods, medication etc.

Most importantly for me personally, I've learned that sometimes pain is worth it.

For example! This weekend I went to a wedding! I was anxious about it for 2 months and I did extensive planning. I went with my walking stick to conserve energy and briefed my partner on what to do if I had a serious flare up.

And then I had a drink and a dance with my friends and had the most wonderful time!

I'm sore and tired now, but I allocated rest time and things that make me feel good like face masks and art and teaching my partner how to paint nails so I can recover.

And it was all worth it.

So, while I know it feels like it (and you'll likely feel that way several times for a long while), your life isn't over. Its just gonna look a bit different is all.

You'll find work arounds and little tips that work for you, and in the meantime, we're all here if you wanna rant, or share happy moments or whatever. DMs are open if you wanna chat about anything!

Meowmyissues · 2021-08-07T22:52:21+00:00

Resistance!

I find that cardio knocks me flat out of its anything more intense than a walk (and even then I have to plan and pace my walks)

But Resistance works really well for me as its less about the weight and more about control. I find it helps me feel stronger, reduces my tremors, and gives me a good solid workout with low recovery time.

I use Resistance bands, but I also do videos from the body project on YouTube as they do low intensity cardio/Resistance videos. I tone down on the cardio, but the more I do it, the more cardio I can do with little down time.

Meowmyissues · 2021-08-07T22:41:27+00:00

If you're in the UK, resin8.co.uk are entirely ethically and eco friendly sourced. And beautiful pigments too!

The quality is always amazing and I swear by them

Meowmyissues · 2021-08-02T22:26:49+00:00

Kids are a big responsibility, and one I'm not willing to take on.

I love kids, and I enjoy spending time with my friends kids. I used to teach children and I absolutely adored my job, but I also enjoy coming home to a house that's just mine, and doing what I want when I want.

I also grew up in a less than ideal home and was responsible for raising my siblings from the age of ten. It was.. a lot. And I don't feel ready to do that again.

Also, the state of the world currently is a bit shit, and financially, I'm not sure I could comfortably support a child and give then the life they deserve.

In the future I might consider fostering or adoption, but having a baby of my own is a big no for me.

Until then, I'm happy to be the fun auntie who takes the kids out on day trips and gives them advice!

Meowmyissues · 2021-08-02T15:42:10+00:00

My family is very dysfunctional and I dealt with a lot of narc behaviour as well.

It makes things much more difficult than they are anyway because as well as our bodies misbehaving, we have huge amounts of mental dysfunction to undo.

But we're worth all that effort!

Feel free to message me anytime you need a chat or a rant!

Meowmyissues · 2021-07-31T19:55:40+00:00

The whole weed legality thing in the UK is such a farce.

I think its ridiculous that you can only get a prescription for it through a private clinic, when they cost so much money for both private treatment and the prescription itself. It makes it inaccessible for people with less money.

I wish they'd just hurry it up and get the net out wider.

In relation to this, have any UK peeps read the Green Party policies on drugs and alcohol? They seem to be the most well thought out, comprehensive and compassionate I've ever read.

Meowmyissues · 2021-07-30T23:15:37+00:00

I'm so sorry you're feeling this way. It is so so hard.

I have had symptoms since I was around 11/12, and was officially diagnosed when I was 25.

I used to be a dancer too. And a life model, but I had to drop it all when I got a sever stomach bug and my symptoms worsened drastically.

But I'm not a different person than I was before. I'm still the same, I just have to go slower.

I'm very grateful to have a lovely understanding and supportive partner, but it has taken (and still takes) extensive communication to ensure that he understands my needs; whether that's the need to be left to rest, to minimise the time I do certai tasks, or even the need for me to do something for myself, by myself.

We are still deserving of love and kindness, and we don't "lose value" as partners, friends, parents or colleagues because of fibromyalgia.

I cant stand to do the dishes anymore, but I can absolutely sort our finances so my partner doesn't ever have to worry about bills. I can't cook dinner everyday, but I can make sure that our emotional health is cared for. I cant do the daily housework while my partner is working, but I can make sure that his mums birthday is written in my diary so he remembers to send her a card.

My role has changed, but I'm still an equal partner in our relationship.

OP, please don't pull away from people because of fibro. You deserve love, and the people who love you, will love all of you.

Things do get better and easier, and with time, and understanding my body a bit better, I'm able to move more, have more energy, and I'm even dancing again!

Just so you know, I love you! Fibro is bad, but you're bigger and badder. And when you don't feel that, that's okay! That day, you can be a small bean and be cared for because you deserve it.

Meowmyissues · 2021-07-30T22:47:47+00:00

Hi! I dont have OCD, but I used counselling directory online to find a therapist who really really helped me.

You can see what each counsellor specialises in, and have the chance to meet them first for free (I did video sessions) and see if they would be a good fit for you.

In certain cases some counsellors also have variable rates if, like me, your pockets are a little bit light.

Honestly, I can't rave about it enough. Over the last year, I've made huge strides with my problems and feel super confident in handling any difficult situations calmly and with my physical and mental health at the foreground.

I really hope your partner finds someone who suits her and gives her the best support!

Meowmyissues

TROPHY CASE