What to do When You Want to Hide

-
We all have days when we don't feel up to being with the world.  I don't mean a duvet day; that to me is a completely different thing. I'm talking about those kinds of days when you don't want to speak to anyone, interact with anyone and just be with yourself. For reasons I'll explain at a later date, I've sent my family on holiday without me, so I'm feeling like I need one of these days today: let's call this a 'Hiding from the World' day.

 Having a chronic condition, coupled with a Hiding from the World day, is usually linked with a need to be alone and/or a need to slow down, if just for a day.

So, what do we do on these sorts of days?

1. Get some wrap around care for the children. If they're at school, all the better; if not, then call in the cavalry. Don't feel guilty; your body is telling you need to be restful today.
2. Choose one activity you would like to do today. It doesn't have to be from the list below. The rules are that the activity has to be only for you and should benefit you in some way.
3. Get out the box sets - now is your chance to make your way through the programme you've been wishing you had the time for.
4. Get outside - park, garden, etc- and read. If you haven't read in a good long while, there are plenty of free reads out there. You don't have to talk to anyone, but you will find yourself immersed in another world..
5. Pace yourself - this is your day, don't use it up with cleaning and washing clothes (unless you genuinely find this relaxing, of course)
6. Download a mindfulness app like Headspace, and get quiet. Most of us aren't good at this the first few times, so don't worry if you become distracted, thoughts wandering, or if you find yourself feeling silly. This will disappear in time as you find you experience the benefits of feeling more grounded.
7. Sleep. I know this sounds odd as you probably don't want to waste a day you rarely get, but taking care of yourself is not frittering anything away; it's all about what you and your body need.

The over-arching rule? This is a guilt-free day. This is for you. You look after everyone else, but this is a small opportunity for you to finally look after yourself. Now, get off social media and go relax!

If you have enjoyed reading my blog and would like to be notified of new posts and information from other organisations, please follow me at https://www.facebook.com/myMSbullyandme


Popular posts from this blog

Blogs, Vlogs & Lots of Dialogue: Where Have I Been?

-
Image
                                                         Copyright: C King It's been over a year since my last post and, if you're missing this blog, you're probably wondering where I have been. To say that I have been been resting on my laurels would be an overstatement, given that I'm not very good at pacing. After months of home-schooling finally ended, I threw myself into supporting others, including advocating for them.  I have been particularly busy in my advocacy work - guest blogging, filming, reporting, mentoring, public speaking. This year, I've also been a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for MS, which has been extremely interesting, and supporting others in navigating a health system which, whilst amazing, can be sometimes monolithic and uncommunicative at a time when some are going through the most difficult ...
Read more

Disclosing Your Condition to an Employer

-
I've worked with MS since 2008 and when I was diagnosed, I had already been working with an organisation for a year and a half. In this circumstance, in the haze of diagnosis, I felt obliged to call my line manager directly after telling my parents. I didn't have to, I probably shouldn't have. It would have made sense to let the news sink in, but I needed time off and I didn't just want to call in sick. This is tip no 1. Don't feel obliged to tell anyone until you're absolutely ready. This may be hours, weeks, months or even years. Unless you're legally required to, you don't need to disclose. My role was made redundant six months later and I was pregnant six months after that. I decided to take some contract work, knowing that I wanted to take a year for my version of maternity leave. I was quite far into the selection process, for a role I could have performed beautifully whilst asleep, and at the last hurdle they asked me if I had any holidays boo...
Read more

Reasonable Adjustments at Work - Why, What & How?

-
Image
The Equality Act 2010 (UK) says that in order for your health condition to be covered, it must have a long-term and substantial effect on your daily life, which is why those of us with MS are included (even if the impacts aren't obvious to others), as MS is classed as a progressive condition. The Act covers us from the point of contact with an employer to when we're in the workplace. Once you've told someone about your chronic condition, the natural follow-up question would be to look at your needs. Before any conversation around your needs takes place, I really recommend taking time to reflect and to research. Read one of my very first posts about disclosure as background. If you don't know where to start, perhaps these questions might help? Which areas of the role might you struggle with? (be as specific as you can)* What reasonable adjustments do you need? If you've had reasonable adjustments previously in another role or environment, how did they...
Read more