Imagine going from being full of energy and life to not being able to lift your head from the pillow. That is what many people with a chronic illness experience, not just once but over and over again. In fact being chronically ill can be just as draining on our spirit and mind as it can be on physical bodies. However, with an attitude of kindness, it is possible to live a fulfilling and satisfying life despite the burden of chronic illness, read on to find out how.
Forgive yourself
Too many victims of chronic illnesses whether they suffer from depression, lyme disease, cancer, fibromyalgia or one of the many others that are rife in today's society, blame themselves. They may blame themselves for not living right in the past, and so contracting the disease. They can also blame themselves for not being able to do what is expected of them, or what ‘normal’ people can.
Of course, this is an action that just piles coals on the head of the sufferer and makes the burden even harder to bear. That is why it's hugely important to practice forgiveness both for any past mistakes that you could have made, and as well as having an ongoing practice of forgiveness as you adapt to your new range of function while being ill.
Yes, I know its hard, but actually leaning to accept that you have a medical condition and that this affects what you can do it a crucial part of showing yourself kindness. Something that can help you to be more resilient when it comes to coping with a chronic illness.
Seek treatment
One of the biggest kindnesses we need to demonstrate when we have a chronic illness is valuing ourselves enough to make sure that we seek, and are consistent with the treatment we need.
Of course, sometimes to access the right help, especially in chronic illness cases that are a consequence of being exposed to something like asbestos, we need to reach out to professional like The NBA Law Firm for help. This is because they can then help to build a case against the person or organization that was responsible for our condition. Something that can result in the sufferer being awarded compensation that can be used to pay for the medical care they need to manage their health.
Get some outside help
Sometimes when we have a chronic illness sufferer, we feel as if we should isolate ourselves and cope on our own. However, this is neither a kind or practical way of coping. In fact, on occasions, we will need help from someone else to do what needs to be done.
This help may be from a friend or family members that can help us with day to day tasks such as hygiene and keeping your home clean and tidy. Some sufferers even employ people to act as a home help for them if everyday tasks become overwhelming.
While others find it useful to join a support group populated with people that are going through a similar experience to them. An experience that can often help them develop a kinder attitude to themselves as well.
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Traveling and technology go hand in hand as you can’t travel anywhere without some great tech on your hands these days! If you pack the right things, then they can enhance your experience and ensure you get the most out of your trip. So, here’s some of the best tech to take with you while you travel:
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Portable Power Bank
We use our phones and other devices so much that they run out of charge incredibly quickly. Naturally, when you’re traveling, you have no idea where the nearest charging port is going to be. So, bring a portable power bank or two with you, and you’ve got instant power whenever you need it. This can help you out of many sticky situations where you need to use Google Maps to find where you’re going, but your phone is at 2%.
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MacBook Air
There are loads of different laptops you can bring with you, but a Macbook air wins top prize thanks to the portability factor. You can get one that’s only slightly bigger than a tablet, and they hardly weigh a think, which makes them ideal to carry in a backpack when you’re traveling. Plus, they’re known to be great for editing videos and photos so you can make your holiday snaps look even better. Not to mention the fact you can download loads of extra software like the Endurance app to make the battery last longer or improve the device further. All in all, it’s the best laptop device out there for taking on your travels, and you can get them for cut prices if you’re a student as well!
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It’s well worth investing in a DSLR camera if you’re going on holiday a lot. This is something I debated for a while before finally taking the plunge myself, and it was well worth it. In one trip alone you’ll get enough use out of it to warrant the price! Essentially, it takes your travel photography to an entirely new level, providing you with more detail than any smartphone is capable of. You really notice a difference in low-light pictures and photos of landscapes - plus close-ups and portraits, you basically see a difference in everything! These higher quality images mean they can be printed out as better quality photos as well so you can make a scrapbook or photo collage when you get home.
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Smart Bluetooth Padlock
Lastly, we have one of the most practical options on this list. A smart Bluetooth padlock is a regular padlock that can be unlocked via your smartphone. They usually come with partner apps that you can download, and it eliminates the worry of forgetting the code or losing the key. Now, you can safely secure your belongings inside your suitcase or bag using this lock, and there’s no way anyone can open it unless they have the app on your phone.
You may have noticed I didn’t include a smartphone on this list, mainly because I thought that’s a pretty obvious one that everyone will bring! If you have all these things with you, then you’re in a great position to remain entertained, feel secure, stay fully charged, and take amazing photos.
You may have noticed I didn’t include a smartphone on this list, mainly because I thought that’s a pretty obvious one that everyone will bring! If you have all these things with you, then you’re in a great position to remain entertained, feel secure, stay fully charged, and take amazing photos.
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Planning your very own adventure is both exciting and a bit frightening. It’s all up to you now, after all, and if you should happen to forget about something, there is nobody around to help you out or borrow you their extra pair of something.
Yet, the allure of being able to decide everything without having to take anyone else into consideration is definitely worth it for many people and they have made it a bit easier for new solo travelers to get started.
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Here is a quick guide to what you need to know before you head off by yourself so that you can feel a bit more comfortable and confident about your next adventure. It’s not a guarantee that you won’t return home half-covered in mosquito bites and sunburns but at least you will still have all of your belongings and, preferably, a sense of hope in humanity.
First: You will meet a lot of new people
While the people hearing about your solo adventure may question why on earth you would like to travel on your own, they simply don’t know that you’re going to meet so many new friends.
A few of them may even become your travel companions if you get along well enough and are heading in the same direction so don’t think for a second that you’re going to be alone in all of this.
The allure of traveling without anyone else is, of course, the feeling of not being held back. There is nobody there to argue with about where you should go next and, if you happen to dislike your new travel companions, you can always ditch them without feeling guilty.
It gives a sense of freedom that a lot of people crave which you won’t be able to get if you set off with a friend, from the beginning.
Keep an open mind while traveling, in other words, and you will be able to look forward to a lot of random encounters and friendships in highly unlikely places. There is just something special about a friend you met while hiking up a mountain somewhere exotic - or someone who joined you on a random shark cage expedition early in the morning.
Next: You need to do a lot of planning
Sure, you could head off without planning anything at all since there is nobody there to argue with you - but planning will give your friends and family back home a sense of security. Try to let them know about where you are going as well as where you are staying so that they don’t have to worry about anything and so that they always know where you are in case something should happen.
Another point to this is, of course, that the places you're going to might require a visa. This means that you will have to do quite a bit of planning in order to obtain it and you might as well stick with your plan so that your family has something to rely on as well.
This means that you should give them your flight itinerary for visa, first of all, as well as the bookings for accommodations that you had to make. While a lot of people make these reservations for the sake of obtaining a visa, they don’t necessarily stick with them; try to stay true to the plan you made, in the first place, and your chances of being found in case you should get lost are a bit higher.
Learn to pack smarter
Before you get started on all of your plans, it’s a good idea to learn how to pack a bit smarter first. It makes it a lot easier when you’re a solo traveler as you won’t be able to rely on your travel companion to lend you stuff - and you can’t share the responsibility of bringing certain items either.
This is one of the biggest problems for those traveling alone and, if you manage to learn the tricks to packing, you’ll make the trip a lot easier on yourself. Try to bring as little as possible and keep in mind that you can always buy an extra pair of shorts or whatever if you really need it.
We tend to realize what we need as we travel and packing an unnecessary amount of stuff is only making the journey a lot heavier.
Another point to packing and handling that backpack when you’re a solo traveler is that you won’t have anyone there to help you out with your luggage. Those simple agreements on looking out for the bags while the other one goes to buy food is something we take for granted while traveling together - and, when you find yourself alone, you realize how much of a burden that backpack actually is.
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This can, in fact, also be solved if you make use of the train station’s and the airport’s safe for luggage. Now you’ll be able to safely store that backpack away while you’re walking around on the station without being held back by a heavy bag you need to look after at all times.
Remember to look smart
Finally, it’s a good idea to read up on a few safety tips before you head off for good. Traveling by yourself means that you might get lost once in a while, feeling a bit insecure about your surroundings, and, above all, wish that you had someone to turn to when the ATM is talking to you in a strange language.
Keep in mind that, while there is nothing wrong with asking for help, accepting it from a stranger by the ATM is an entirely different story. Try to look smart and confident while you’re out and about on your own to make it a bit less likely that you’re targeted by criminals who are looking for lost and confused tourists.
Now you should be able to pack those bags as lightly as possible before setting off on an adventure of a lifetime while staying safe and sound until you’re back home.
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♥️FLASH SALE!! For the next 3 hours the shop is having a HUGE flash sale on many items before it closes for the 2018 year!! Head on over to check it out! Sale ends at 1:30pm EST! Click HERE to go directly to the shop!♥️
To enter for the chance to win, simply head on over to the new IG shop account (www.instagram.com/decembercaravanshop) and follow the simple and easy directions for your chance to win! Giveaway ends at 9pm tonight so hurry on over!
You can go directly to the IG shop HERE! Happy Wednesday friends!
PS-Also just a friendly note that I will be closing the shop for the holiday season on Friday so TOMORROW, December 13th is the last day to place an order for this year! The shop will re-open (with fun new items and surprises) on Monday, January 14th! Thank you so much for all of your support of my shop these last 5 years! I am so incredibly blessed!! Have a wonderful day friends!
PS-Also just a friendly note that I will be closing the shop for the holiday season on Friday so TOMORROW, December 13th is the last day to place an order for this year! The shop will re-open (with fun new items and surprises) on Monday, January 14th! Thank you so much for all of your support of my shop these last 5 years! I am so incredibly blessed!! Have a wonderful day friends!
This one just makes me smile... I love Mary Poppins and the songs from the original movie bring back such fun childhood memories! This was definitely my favorite movie as a little girl and so hearing the music all over again just makes me smile! Are you excited about the new movie? I love Emily Blunt so I think it is going to be fantastic!
I hope this video brings a smile to your face this chilly Tuesday morning! *smiles* You can find the video HERE (or watch right below) and the new channel by clicking HERE! Thanks for checking it out, liking it, commenting, and following along y'all! *smiles*
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
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