Tag: Self Care

My Journey

My “Why”

caitfarless

When I found out about my super uncool gene mutation in July, I needed something to use as an outlet for all of the emotions I was feeling. Well, something other than chocolate peanut butter ice cream and quesadillas.  As I began journaling and began processing (not very well at first) this new information about myself, which sucked, I realized a few different things.

  1. The more I write the better I feel
  2. This feels really lonely at times
  3. I have A LOT of support – not everyone has that
  4. I have a platform and a voice that could reach out and help other people
  5. I can do hard things

After those realizations, deciding to start this blog that you’re reading currently, was an easy decision. Opening up about one of the more personal parts of my life – not so easy. As it turns out, 90 percent of the people that know me – didn’t even know I had a tumor until weeks after I had the surgery to get it removed, and most still don’t know the type of tumor I had. Even more people are also learning for the first time now about my gene mutation and how rare it is. You see, I have been very private about my medical journey over the past year. Until today.

We all have our “why’s” for why we do the things that we do, whether it’s for the people we love, for recognition, or to help someone in need.  Whatever your “why” may be.  My “why” for writing my blog is simple.  If I can help one person feel less alone in this mess of a process, then my heart is happy. You may never truly know how lonely that one-in-a-million can feel until you find yourself as that very one.

Other Articles

Lori Knows What’s Up…

caitfarless

I recently saw an article called, 5 Things to Stop Doing When You’re Struggling and Feeling Drained by Lori Deschene. The title alone grasped my attention.

“I’VE been feeling like I’m struggling and drained recently.” I say out loud to Annie, not that she listens to me anyways.

With my diagnosis, surgery, second diagnosis, and well LIFE, all happening in the last 6 months, it really doesn’t come as a surprise that I’ve felt a tiny bit (*incredibly) stressed and exhausted. So please, by all means Lori, tell me what to stop doing. I’m all ears… err… or eyes.

So, these are the things I took from Lori’s article.

  1. I’m not sure who Lori Deschene is – but she knows alllllll the things I’m doing.
  2. I may have a stalker (?)
  3. I am not the person I was before – that’s okay though.
  4. Life isn’t a race and I’m not “falling behind”

In Lori’s third “thing to stop doing” – she says “…we’re not who we were before. We’re in a new chapter, facing new circumstances and challenges…” Okay, now apparently, we’re really digging deep, now aren’t we Lori. I have struggled an incredible amount with feeling like I should be doing all the things I was doing before – not thinking about the fact that I am facing completely different challenges than I was a year ago. The struggle of finding the balance of what I used to be able to do and what is PLAUSIBLE for me to do at the moment has been a difficult one to find. My good days feel great, but my bad days are hard to get through. I get upset with myself when the days come where I find myself struggling to do the things that used to be but mere simple tasks. That should be when I’m the most gentle with myself though – shouldn’t it?

So, if you’re feeling drained or want to feel like some lady named Lori may know everything about your life – I highly suggest reading her article.

5 Things to Stop Doing When You’re Struggling and Feeling Drained