It’s easy to get wrapped up and even lose our identity to our diagnosis. As women, especially, we often lose our identity to many things. Instead of the person we are, we become a wife, a mother, a caregiver, or a spoonie and forget all the other amazing aspects of who we are. The last couple of years I’ve felt better but my identify became “Student” as that’s really all I could handle. Now that school is done I can do a bit more and it’s time to remember who I am. So, I want to say Thank you to The Girl With 5 Lads for this reminder. This post is part of her #BesidesMyDiagnosis blog hop.
1. #besidesmydiagnosis the three things about my appearance that I love in the mirror?
My eyes
My butt (sometimes)
Myself
2. #besidesmydiagnosis the things I have read most are?
Everything! I’m usually reading at least two books at any given time, one fiction and one non-fiction. I read the non-fiction while I’m in the tub relaxing, and the fiction when I’m trying to go to sleep. I tried doing it the other way around but I ended up staying in the bath till it got cold, and falling asleep reading the non-fiction without ever absorbing anything useful. I love books on business, as well as self-improvement books – just really anything to inspire me. For the fiction side I’ll read almost anything. I don’t really read romance novels and read very little fantasy but pretty much anything else.
3. #besidesmydiagnosis my favorite comfort foods are?
Chocolate. That’s a food group right? I also eat a ton of Mexican. I could just about eat Mexican every day. In fact, I think I’ll go eat some now. I’m a bit hungry.
4. #besidesmydiagnosis my favorite past times are?
Reading (you probably gathered that earlier) and poker. We typically play poker at least once a week. I do OK. It seems like we alternate on who is winning at any given time so our poker fund basically funds itself.
5. #besidesmydiagnosis my biggest accomplishment since illness is?
Finishing my degree, no doubt there. It took me over 20 years to finish my Bachelors. I had a lot of reasons, mainly that I didn’t really need it. To be honest, I still don’t need it. But, going back to school served a very important purpose for me. It gave me hope that I could do more, and be more again. And, I’m following through on that hope with my current projects.
6. #besidesmydiagnosis I feel my best quality is?
My willingness to help others. I have to keep it in check and remember not to say “Yes” too much. Even without Fibro as an issue I come from a mother who puts everyone above herself. I learned from watching her that you can’t do that. You have to make sure you are taken care of and that starts with taking care of yourself. But, you can still help others.
7. #besidesmydiagnosis my motto/mantra to live by?
Things will work out as they should. I always try to remember that things might not work out the way we want them to, but they will work out as they should.
8. #besidesmydiagnosis I would love to travel to?
Anywhere! I love to travel. I’d love to go back to Mexico. I think Tulum is my favorite place on earth – so far. I’d also love to visit Australia, Ireland, France, and anywhere that has a beach.
9. #besidesmydiagnosis my guilty pleasure is?
Chocolate? OK, stupid reality TV competition shows (Survivor, Amazing Race, Next Top Model, Master Chef). Really just about any of them. When I just want to chill out and not think, I go for those. Except for Survivor and Amazing Race, those are actually on our must watch together list every week.
10. #besidesmydiagnosis I have many dreams and ambitions such as?
I’m working on them. I’m not one to just stop working. Right now I really want to make Chronic Illness Bloggers be just a huge and awesome network for any bloggers living with any illness (or writing about any illness). We’ve got an amazing group already and it’s already going beyond what I expected for this point in time. So, I know it will exceed my wildest dream.
I am so many things #BesidesMyDiagnosis and so are you. Share on X
What do you love? Who are you? What are your dreams? Because I know you are much more than your diagnosis.
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