The Spoonie Tag

So for this week's post, I thought that I'd complete the Spoonie Tag! I hope you learn a bit about me, please feel free to comment with any questions (as always, share it with other spoonies and subscribe to my blog so you don't miss anything)

1. What is your diagnosis?

~My main diagnosis, and the one that inspired this website, is fibromyalgia. As most spoonies, I have plenty other diagnoses, among those: endometriosis, asthma, IBS, chronic migraines, prediabetes, (and others that haven't been confirmed)

2. What has been the hardest part of being a spoonie?

~I think for me, the hardest part has been the ignorance. There is a lot of false information and ignorance in the general community about chronic illnesses, and spoonies. It's almost as if the fact that it's permanent makes it a fantasy of some kind. I'm working on a separate post about this so that will be out soon!

3. What have you learned?

~I've learned many things from being ill, and among those, the most important are patience and friendship. I'm not a patient person by any means, but I've learned to be patient with myself and others. I've also learned friendship. I've had a lot of people say that they don't want to be my friend because I have an illness or because they don't have the time for my illnesses. It really makes you wonder and think about our society and how we raise our children.

4. What are your thoughts on the spoonie community?

~I really enjoy the spoonie community, I've definitely learned a lot from them and they're honestly, so funny. Everyone I follow on tumblr, Emma, Eman and her puns. I've felt a lot of support from them and I couldn't be more grateful.

5. What distraction tools do you use?

~MUSIC!! Especially those days when I can barely move and I'm in and out of sleep. Music is my saving grace. Some of my other distraction tools are: reading, blogging, texting/talking to friends, watching movies/TV/youtube! I really enjoy doing all of these things so much that they are awesome at distracting me from my pain.

6. What is your support system like?

~I can't complain about my support system, my family, friends and my dog are all amazing and really are so so great!

7. What do you miss?

~I miss being normal. I miss being able to walk and run and hang out with friends, without having to pop pills or take naps or have to cancel. I know they understand, and I understand, but it just sucks.

8. What stigmas do you wish you could change?

~"People with chronic illnesses are lazy". No. "It's just an excuse". No. It isn't fair to judge people when you have no idea what they're going through. That's like saying that blondes don't exist because I'm not blonde, that all blondes just dye their hair. It's absurd and disrespectful.

9. What would you like a "normal" person to know about chronic illness?

~We're doing the best we can. There's no cure, and that frustrates us as much as you. We aren't doing this because we find it fun.

10. Name 5 spoonie things you can't live without?

~Icepacks, Epsom's salt, Blankets, My dog, TV (these aren't really spoonie things but they are things that I use in my spoonie life)

11. What triggers your flares?

~THE COLD, THE RAIN, unhealthy foods or really processed foods, stress, etc.

12. What's your social life like? Has it changed?

~ LOL. This is my fav question. I think in another post I mentioned that I'm not a going-out type of person, so in that aspect, nothing's changed. I am very social though, I guess I LIKE going out more than before because I don't do it as often. I'm very lowkey, I like going to IHOP or Target, the mall, out to eat, etc. I prefer meaningful and memorable trips.

13. How has being sick changed you?

~I've become stronger, more determined. I appreciate the little things more, and I care about myself more. Not in a self-involved type of way, but my priority is my health and my mental health, and then pleasing/helping everyone else. I've also become more organized!

14. Have you made spoonie friends?

~ YESSSS!! I really love all my spoonie friends (comment if you're one of them)and they've helped me realize that I'm not alone.

15. What are the blessings from being a spoonie?

~I think I've covered most of them already, but I've really come to learn more about myself, more about the world, about the medical community, etc. I have also learned to be more giving, to help people and I've become more determined to reach my goals!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Please subscribe and leave a comment below! I'd love to get to know you better, so if you do these, please let me know! All the love x.