17 Comments
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A Little Bit Taller's avatar

You are an amazing writer. I have only recently learned to actually stop when my body is telling me something. 45 years of fighting chronic illness has finally taken its toll. Had I read this 15 years ago, I might have slowed down earlier.

I’m so glad you have Dave. Doing this alone is difficult.

Lisa ⨾ mylongpause's avatar

Thank you, truly. I’ve been extremely lucky, considering — there’s so much more information and support available now than there was in the past. I mean, we have the internet, for one! I owe everything to the chronic illness communities on IG and Substack. That’s why I try to pay it forward now.

Having companionship and care through this is another privilege I don’t take lightly. It gets rough pretty fast when he’s on the road. I’m so sorry you’ve had to do this without a partner. But please know you’re not alone!

A Little Bit Taller's avatar

Thank you

Ana C. M. de Almeida, PhD's avatar

Oh Lisa, you lost much. But there is a writer here. I wish you so well. Read every word.

Lisa ⨾ mylongpause's avatar

Thank you very much for the kind words, and for being here!

Amber Horrox 🗝️Warrior Within's avatar

Leaning into support, drowning out the noise and tuning into your own inner knowing will take you far. So much wisdom in this one piece. You’ve totally got this💛

Lisa ⨾ mylongpause's avatar

Many, many thank yous, Amber! 🫶

Jamal Robinson's avatar

Thank you for this glimpse into your life Lisa 🙏🏽

I hope your time on here is fulfilling and helpful on your journey with self.

It's definitely blessed me 🖤

Lisa ⨾ mylongpause's avatar

Thank you so much Jamal. You made my morning! Many blessings to you.

Jamal Robinson's avatar

😊🙏🏽

Mark's avatar

Dave's a rockstar and so are you! What a well written glimpse into what it's like to be you. I'm sorry you feel like this, but I'm glad you're able to see some of the silver lining too. My mum suffers from Fibromyalgia and it's hard to see her when it knock her down.

Lisa ⨾ mylongpause's avatar

Thank you for the kind words, Mark! If you can believe it, this is the first time I've reread that post – I just couldn't bring myself to go back to that time. Your comment was the nudge I needed, and it really helped to see how much I've progressed since last year.

I recently discovered this great Eckhart Tolle quote: “Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy.”

My illness forced me to focus on what I needed in the moment. And then the moment after that. And so on. It's really a lesson in being present. There was a lot of grief in releasing the need to be successful, to impress others, to make plans, to be anywhere but right here. But right here is where I learned to love myself as I am. Sending lots of love to you and your mom, the winter can be hard but I hope the spring brings some relief. <3

Mark's avatar

I think re-reading your old stuff is valuable, and from a writing perspective if you don’t cringe a little, it shows you haven’t grown, its clearly the same from a life perspective, with you being able to see how much progress you have made.

I love the quote, again that rings true, I found I had ADHD in December and often think how having that knowledge would have changed my life if I had found out as a child, how much easier it could have been, but I recognise that life made me who I am, so I don’t regret anything. Work with it.

Hope springs eternal, it’s amazing what just having a little bit more daylight can do for the mood and hopefully the body too. I hope you get relief too, it seems you are in a good place mentally, I hope the body can catch up.

Lisa ⨾ mylongpause's avatar

Such a good point, that the “cringe” shows you’ve grown.

I can relate on the ADHD front. I’m only now learning how to accommodate for myself and understanding where my behavior was stemming from. You put it well, no regrets.

I actually wrote something about it called Feeling Clearer, if of any interest.

Appreciate you!

Mark's avatar

I checked it out thanks, I’m wondering when you will run out of “feeling” titles!

Lisa ⨾ mylongpause's avatar

Haha, as do I! Originally a nod to getting out of my head and into my body, it's honestly been starting to block me from posting some things I really want to write about. So while I'll probably never run out of feelings, I will likely move on from the structure fairly soon!

Mark's avatar

I think from a readers perspective, if you didn’t realise it was a series, I would home in on the “feeling” and assume I had read that one. I do like a good bit of consistency though, but you shouldn’t have to limit your subjects to fit with the structure.