Well, I'm here.
On September 8th, 2023 at 9:00AM on the dot, I completed my 36th lap around the sun.
Earth side anyway.
Who the heck knows what my soul endured all the years before my vessel existed.
2016 Kirsten NEVER expected to see this day.
To be brutally honest, I thought I'd be long gone by now.
I worried about ruptures and how quickly they could take me away from human existence.
Each birthday that passes by is a reminder that I am here, I am alive, I am happy, I am healthy and my body is pretty fucking radical.
I know there are a lot of new people here who don't know my health journey. (you can find more HERE if you're interested.)
& even those who think they know my health journey...well, ya really don't.
It is all something I plan to share in its entirety as time moves forward in an effort to help the masses of humans who struggle day to day with chronic illness and feel like they can not escape it.
I am finally at the point where I understand my story is worthy of celebration and beneficial to peoples healing.
I have struggled for so many years with survivors guilt.
Feeling like if I share my story fully, I'm bragging saying, "look at me, look how great I am".
& if I'm honest, I still have those moments...they just no longer consume me.
In fact, the other night my husband sent me a link to an article where another EDS warrior lost her life to the illness.
& it crushed me. & in crawled that survivors guilt.
But it was also the first time I was able change the emotion and say to myself, "instead of feeling guilt, remember all the tools you have that you could share. maybe, just maybe...your story could help somebody find health and wholeness again. like you did."
& that felt like a turning point.
In an effort to help you help yourself, here are a few of my best tips :
* they look simple because they are. health is actually quite simple. we just keep convincing ourselves we need to make it complicated for things to change. we don't. we just need to be consistent.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Make the decision every day that you are healthy.
Train your brain into believing you.
Joe Dispenza's work is a great place to start learning how to trust yourself, your body and your mind again.(he has books, meditations, podcasts, shows, etc.)
Finding a meditation or a ritual before getting out of bed for the day will set you up with good intentions.
An audio recording of how you want to feel and who you want to be is a great option too.
STRETCH
Workouts are great. Fabulous. Wonderful.
But that usually isn't the starting point with chronic illness.
When your day consists of sitting, laying and resting, the body will get weak and achy.
Start stretching everyday upon waking up. This will help to get your blood flowing and work out some of those kinks. There are many wheelchair friendly stretches too!
Stretching gets those neurons firing. Reminds you that you are alive.
DON'T IGNORE THE SUN
What does the sun do for the grass, plants, and life forces in general? It sustains them, provides energy and helps them grow.
Do you think maybe it can do the same for you? Of course it can!!
20 minutes outside in the sun without protection is the ultimate dopamine boost.
If you can't get outside due to illness, find a window and let the sun catch your face.
Pay attention to the animals in your home. They rely on that sunshine like it's their life force. Take note and enjoy it with them.
GET OUTSIDE
If your health permits, get outside.
Early morning is best to help with those circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, but any time of day is perfect!
Take your shoes off, touch that ground with your bare feet. Stand tall, tilt your head to the sun and take a few deep breaths.
If you're in a wheelchair and can't touch your feet to the earth, have somebody get you a rock. Place it in your hand, tilt your head to the sky and take a few deep breaths.
A nature walk is always a good idea if you're able. Can you count five things you see, hear and smell?
There are so many other things that are important to finding health and wholeness.
Like what you nourish yourself with, who you share your home with, who your friends are, where you work, what your hobbies are, etc.
But these four things I listed above are your starting point.
Take them serious.
Make them a priority.
Be consistent.
& remember, when you get off track it DOES NOT nullify the fact that you performed those tasks in the days prior.
Simply use it as a reminder that you CAN and you will AGAIN!
Cheers to health.
Cheers to completing my 36th year.
Cheers to all of you.
Hope you all are having a happy day!
As always, feel free to reach out whenever.
Like, comment and share this post.
It really helps me out more than you know.
Thanks for being here. 🫶🏼
xoxo
Kirsten ☀️