Chronic Illness Inspires

Originally posted on Prohealth

Often chronic illness seems to zap us of our inspiration, but that’s not always the case. Many of us discover new passions and hobbies after we are diagnosed with chronic illness.

Sometimes, chronic illness inspires. While our illness may have taken one hobby we loved away we find ourselves engaged in new hobbies, and in new ways of being inspired. For some of us it is photography or art, for others it is gardening, knitting, or even writing.

Before I became ill I never would have considered the idea of becoming a professional writer. Sure, I’ve blogged for almost 15 years in some way or another, but that’s quite different from writing for others, or better yet getting paid for write for others.

Recently on Facebook I asked people to share their hobbies, especially those that are crafty or artistic in some way. I was amazed at some of the samples that people shared and asked if I could feature a few here on my blog.

Angie Williams does some really cool rock art. So, I asked her to share some images of her awesomeness and she kindly did so. In addition to her cool rock art, I learned that she also makes some really nice glass art.

“I have always been crafty and in the last few months I have been really feeling the urge to create. One of my biggest issues is stress and so this has been a huge outlet for me to de-stress, have fun and create.

The joy I receive when I make something is the inspiration that keeps me creating. The crafts I have chosen to do require little exertion on my part, they can be put aside if I am not feeling well or too tired  and restarted when I feel better. Sometimes when the pain is so bad, getting outside of myself and doing something I love to do makes me feel better. I am a huge believer in mind over matter and if I get my mind off of me and my pain I feel better.”

Pain is often an amazing source of inspiration. Share on X

Debra is another Spoonie that shared her amazing artwork with us. She also enjoys photography and you can see some of each below.

“I get inspiration from various sources. Sometimes it’s because someone close to me mentions something they are passionate about. Other times I see a piece of artwork, a beautiful aspect of nature or read a passage that touches me. When I’m touched by the many & varied aspects of this world’s beauty, I get an overwhelming urge to create.

Inspiration can come from so many places. Share on X

Donna blogs over at http://februarystars.co.uk.co.uk but she’s also an amazing photographer and has a website dedicated just to that. She found her passion for photography after she became ill. She says:

“It makes me laugh thinking about it because it was my husband who got into it first. We were travelling to Iceland in the December of 2013 and my husband wanted to be able to take good photos. So he booked himself onto a beginner’s photography course with our wedding photographer and bought himself a DSLR. I remember being annoyed at him for spending all that money as I thought it would be a passing phase and he wouldn’t stick with it. Little did I know then that, not only would my husband enjoy it, it would be me who would go on to be completely obsessed with photography and be the one wanting to buy all the gear!!

What inspires you? Do you have a hobby that you’ve found since you became ill that keeps you busy and focused? Do you have a hobby that you’ve had to set aside because of your illness?

(all photos used with permission from above artists).