Totally get the overwhelm feeling being on here - I also started because I like writing but I do catch myself wanting ‘growth’ and then feeling like I did on Instagram! It’s a fine balance, isn’t it? x
Hello! When I first started on Substack I signed up to a bunch of newsletters that specifically addressed how to be a successful writer on Substack. Unsubscribing from them all was one of the best things I could have done for myself. I now remind myself constantly that I am not trying to be like anyone else anymore. It's do it as myself, and in my own way, or not at all. I still have moments where I let the achiever thoughts get to me, but it is slowly changing over time. x
Lou, welcome back and thank you for this wonderful update! I devoured this post. I’ve noticed the same thing you did with the recovery videos I’ve watched - pacing and brain retraining seem to be the two main threads. I tried the Gupta program in early 2022, and I had a little improvement, but I was still working and the stress was insane. I have thought about signing up for it again, or maybe trying DNRS (would you mind sharing cost of the main program? Gupta was around $300, if memory serves). I was not able to commit to Gupta because work was taking all my energy, but I’ve been on disability now for a year and I think I could really make this work now. I really believe in this and I was so encouraged to see some of the gains you’ve made in just a few weeks.
I’d love to know a little more about what your typical day looks like now that you’ve started the program. I’m finding that I’m still applying overachiever tendencies to my days, but just with household chores or medical appointments/paperwork.
Lastly, thank you for what you said about Substack growth playing right into our overachieving hand. I find the emails about new subscribers are setting off a Pavlovian response in my brain, and I have to consciously check myself to not get caught up in that.
I am happy to do a post in future about what my days looks like. I think a lot of people wonder about that. They've definitely changed a lot over the last year as my energy levels have fluctuated, so I could cover that as well.
DNRS costs around USD $345, and coaching and other stuff is all extra. Like I said in my post, I've liked it because it is so structured and prescriptive, but some people don't like that about it.
Work is such a challenging one. In ways, I think quitting working cold-turkey actually made my condition worse. But I don't think I would have made any of the gains I have if I had still be working. I really am grateful every day that I have had the resources and support to not be able to work.
I can’t wait to see a post on this. Incredibly interesting how you say that quitting work cold turkey made your condition worse. I was forced to stop working through complete disability by illness, I see this now as an awakening. Though I also appreciate for me there was no other way for this awakening to happen. It had to be worse case scenario, forced upon me (otherwise I would’ve just continued the way I was). Though I didn’t have the resources and support to stop working (part of the wake up call) I am so glad to hear you did! I know from speaking to other chronic illness warriors that this doesn’t come without it’s own trials and tribulations though so it’s not necessarily any ‘easier’ (as I might have, at one time, initially thought)
I’d also love to see “a typical day in the life of” from incredible writer, Louise.
It took me 3.5 years to be able to respond to a question I was asked as a chronically ill person with no job and no kids what I did all day. At a time where I chose a most unauthodox I’d love to share it with you if I may?
Ugh, I’m in the same boat as you - no job, no kids - and getting that question from someone outside of our community infuriates me. First of all, we MAKE so much less energy than most people, and that’s a really capitalist-culture question. “Who ARE you if you’re not DOING all day?” Gross. I only ask fellow spoonies who are on a recovery path because I like to see if there are additional recovery “hacks” I could be looking into.
I for one would welcome hearing about your unorthodox path! 😌
We really learn a lot on this side of the fence don’t we!?!
The last time I got asked “what do you do?” I had no idea what they meant or how to answer the question because I no longer associate who I am with what I am or what I do.(been on a monumental healing journey)
I’m 5 years on now so a lots changed since the early days I was writing about in this blog but it gives you an intro:
Thank you. I’ve endured a few relapses along the way so it definitely hasn’t been a linear journey. But year on year the improvement is significant and makes going in the opposite direction I kept being told to go in, utterly worth it. I hope you find this too.
Thank you for sharing that! I just read it and subscribed. I’m still trying to let go of “doing” even as I’ve been in disability for over a year. Old patterns die hard, don’t they?
I’ve just subscribed to your page too! I can’t wait to read more about your story and journey! So pleased to be in contact😃 slowing down for me is up there with one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced in the last 5 years. When I shared this publicly (over on insta) I was physically shaking at admitting it out loud, in front of people! I did not realise it was so common or that this was something we were being asked, called, demanded to do in the present times we are living with (for the sake of our health/evolution). Old patterns do die hard yes, we can rewire our brains with new patterns and the pay offs to our health can be big so (for me) it’s worth the perseverance and persistence. Which inevitably throw up more challenges, like TRUSTing in the process, patience, playing the long game and many other lessons I feel we’re here to learn through it all. As deep and dark and uncomfortable as it can and does get. Here to support you and cheerlead you on all the way Amy!
Amazing to hear of how your break away has been for you and what it’s opened up!! 🤩 I find screen/socials breaks allow creativity to flow a little more freely and give me back the much needed space I crave. Due one myself but am currently ignoring my super increased screen time (it’s my biggest addiction and one of only a very minor number left in my life). You share so much here about your journey and invaluable insights for us readers to take away. It’s a long read but one well worth spent with my cuppa this morning. I took so much from it from beginning to end - thank you so much. I too, am excited to see where this leg of your journey takes you. It really is time we start looking into the stories and case studies of those in recovery. Something I have found little to no interest in in the medical field. Which has left me wondering of late, how can they tell us what is or isn’t possible when they haven’t even explored it?
Hi Amber. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I had no intention of making it this long- but the words just kept flowing out! I have so much I want to say about this all.
Addictions are SO hard to break and I find I need to be kind to myself around them. In the past, I was beating myself up about them and thinking I could never get better until I had eliminated all my compulsive behaviours. I now realise I am playing the long game here and it will all happen in good time.
I think the medical community is slowly coming around to the mind-body approach as so more and more research highlights its efficacy. It's a shame it takes so long, and so much time-consuming research, for things to be taken seriously, but it is progress nonetheless. I like to remind myself that 'miracles' has occured as long as humans have existed. I think the key is the belief that we can change things.
Glad you’re feeling a bit better! I’m new here.
Totally get the overwhelm feeling being on here - I also started because I like writing but I do catch myself wanting ‘growth’ and then feeling like I did on Instagram! It’s a fine balance, isn’t it? x
Hello! When I first started on Substack I signed up to a bunch of newsletters that specifically addressed how to be a successful writer on Substack. Unsubscribing from them all was one of the best things I could have done for myself. I now remind myself constantly that I am not trying to be like anyone else anymore. It's do it as myself, and in my own way, or not at all. I still have moments where I let the achiever thoughts get to me, but it is slowly changing over time. x
Lou, welcome back and thank you for this wonderful update! I devoured this post. I’ve noticed the same thing you did with the recovery videos I’ve watched - pacing and brain retraining seem to be the two main threads. I tried the Gupta program in early 2022, and I had a little improvement, but I was still working and the stress was insane. I have thought about signing up for it again, or maybe trying DNRS (would you mind sharing cost of the main program? Gupta was around $300, if memory serves). I was not able to commit to Gupta because work was taking all my energy, but I’ve been on disability now for a year and I think I could really make this work now. I really believe in this and I was so encouraged to see some of the gains you’ve made in just a few weeks.
I’d love to know a little more about what your typical day looks like now that you’ve started the program. I’m finding that I’m still applying overachiever tendencies to my days, but just with household chores or medical appointments/paperwork.
Lastly, thank you for what you said about Substack growth playing right into our overachieving hand. I find the emails about new subscribers are setting off a Pavlovian response in my brain, and I have to consciously check myself to not get caught up in that.
Here’s to continued improvement for you! 🤞🏻
Thanks for your reply Amy.
I am happy to do a post in future about what my days looks like. I think a lot of people wonder about that. They've definitely changed a lot over the last year as my energy levels have fluctuated, so I could cover that as well.
DNRS costs around USD $345, and coaching and other stuff is all extra. Like I said in my post, I've liked it because it is so structured and prescriptive, but some people don't like that about it.
Work is such a challenging one. In ways, I think quitting working cold-turkey actually made my condition worse. But I don't think I would have made any of the gains I have if I had still be working. I really am grateful every day that I have had the resources and support to not be able to work.
I can’t wait to see a post on this. Incredibly interesting how you say that quitting work cold turkey made your condition worse. I was forced to stop working through complete disability by illness, I see this now as an awakening. Though I also appreciate for me there was no other way for this awakening to happen. It had to be worse case scenario, forced upon me (otherwise I would’ve just continued the way I was). Though I didn’t have the resources and support to stop working (part of the wake up call) I am so glad to hear you did! I know from speaking to other chronic illness warriors that this doesn’t come without it’s own trials and tribulations though so it’s not necessarily any ‘easier’ (as I might have, at one time, initially thought)
I’d also love to see “a typical day in the life of” from incredible writer, Louise.
It took me 3.5 years to be able to respond to a question I was asked as a chronically ill person with no job and no kids what I did all day. At a time where I chose a most unauthodox I’d love to share it with you if I may?
Ugh, I’m in the same boat as you - no job, no kids - and getting that question from someone outside of our community infuriates me. First of all, we MAKE so much less energy than most people, and that’s a really capitalist-culture question. “Who ARE you if you’re not DOING all day?” Gross. I only ask fellow spoonies who are on a recovery path because I like to see if there are additional recovery “hacks” I could be looking into.
I for one would welcome hearing about your unorthodox path! 😌
We really learn a lot on this side of the fence don’t we!?!
The last time I got asked “what do you do?” I had no idea what they meant or how to answer the question because I no longer associate who I am with what I am or what I do.(been on a monumental healing journey)
I’m 5 years on now so a lots changed since the early days I was writing about in this blog but it gives you an intro:
https://warriorwithin.substack.com/p/going-against-the-grain
I had a read of your post Amber. Such an incredible journey you've been on. Amazing work. x
Thank you. I’ve endured a few relapses along the way so it definitely hasn’t been a linear journey. But year on year the improvement is significant and makes going in the opposite direction I kept being told to go in, utterly worth it. I hope you find this too.
Thank you for sharing that! I just read it and subscribed. I’m still trying to let go of “doing” even as I’ve been in disability for over a year. Old patterns die hard, don’t they?
I’ve just subscribed to your page too! I can’t wait to read more about your story and journey! So pleased to be in contact😃 slowing down for me is up there with one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced in the last 5 years. When I shared this publicly (over on insta) I was physically shaking at admitting it out loud, in front of people! I did not realise it was so common or that this was something we were being asked, called, demanded to do in the present times we are living with (for the sake of our health/evolution). Old patterns do die hard yes, we can rewire our brains with new patterns and the pay offs to our health can be big so (for me) it’s worth the perseverance and persistence. Which inevitably throw up more challenges, like TRUSTing in the process, patience, playing the long game and many other lessons I feel we’re here to learn through it all. As deep and dark and uncomfortable as it can and does get. Here to support you and cheerlead you on all the way Amy!
Here’s the post I wrote the other year about slowing down - come along way since I gleaned these invaluable insights and made them a practice in life:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZsAHNArase/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
*unauthodox path
Amazing to hear of how your break away has been for you and what it’s opened up!! 🤩 I find screen/socials breaks allow creativity to flow a little more freely and give me back the much needed space I crave. Due one myself but am currently ignoring my super increased screen time (it’s my biggest addiction and one of only a very minor number left in my life). You share so much here about your journey and invaluable insights for us readers to take away. It’s a long read but one well worth spent with my cuppa this morning. I took so much from it from beginning to end - thank you so much. I too, am excited to see where this leg of your journey takes you. It really is time we start looking into the stories and case studies of those in recovery. Something I have found little to no interest in in the medical field. Which has left me wondering of late, how can they tell us what is or isn’t possible when they haven’t even explored it?
Hi Amber. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I had no intention of making it this long- but the words just kept flowing out! I have so much I want to say about this all.
Addictions are SO hard to break and I find I need to be kind to myself around them. In the past, I was beating myself up about them and thinking I could never get better until I had eliminated all my compulsive behaviours. I now realise I am playing the long game here and it will all happen in good time.
I think the medical community is slowly coming around to the mind-body approach as so more and more research highlights its efficacy. It's a shame it takes so long, and so much time-consuming research, for things to be taken seriously, but it is progress nonetheless. I like to remind myself that 'miracles' has occured as long as humans have existed. I think the key is the belief that we can change things.