2016 … IT’S A WRAP!

MY FIRST BOOK

What I know for sure, is that life doesn’t always go according to plan. But if you wait until all of the circumstances around you resolve themselves before you go after your dreams, you may be waiting a very long time before you see any of them come true.

I’ve always held a vision about becoming an author. I have been fortunate enough to have had my writing published in glossy magazines and on other various online platforms as well, but I’ve forever known that writing books was a part of my greater destiny too.

But my health status and energy levels have always seemed to determine my timeline. I’ve waited and waited until ‘well enough’ to go for it. Until the arrival of some undecided future date. But that moment, has never come along.

I used to imagine my Future Self Me … tapping away on a laptop for hours, a spectacular vista inspiring me from the adjacent picture window and the hippest, most cerebrally uplifting music play list, my best friend on late night writing binges. I even went to the trouble of visualising a fancy, Kate Spade lucite stapler sitting on my desk too …you know, in case I needed to staple something really, really important, like I hear all great authors do, lol.

But when life doesn’t go according to your original plan .. remember this.

If something is undoubtably important to you, even if the odds are not in your favour, even if you have to proceed in less than perfect ways, in less than ideal conditions … you should still do it. You should still try.

So, sitting on the hard tiles of my temporary bathroom home and laying in my make-shift bed on the floor, I typed the words of my first book. Not on a laptop surrounded by beauty and inspiration, distant views, motivating music or even in possession of a fancy pants stapler … but instead, on the mini screen of my iPhone 5, in short little bursts whenever my energy levels would allow it, confined
to a bare, silent room with a teeny unreachable window I couldn’t even see out of.

It wasn’t in the way I had imagined it, not even close to it. But I went ahead and wrote the words I always new were within me. I found a way to do it anyhow.

I’m proud of myself for what I’ve achieved and I’m proud of the work too. 100 passages of hope, soul-filled motivation and reasons upon reasons to never give up on your dreams. These heartfelt words will propel you forward. Fill you with optimism. Provide you with the fuel you need to get you to where you want to be.

I absolutely can’t wait for you to read this book. Sign up to my Mailing List below for all the deets RE launch date. I promise you there will be fanfare. There will be personal video messages from me. There will be early bird deals and there may even be a happy dance or three.

 

MY HEALTHY HOME IS FINISHED

It was a bold idea. A gutsy proposition. “Build a safe, chemical free house?” Are you kidding me? At the time, it seemed too big of a task. Close to impossible even.

Building a house is not easy. Let alone one using only non toxic materials and methods. With minimal budget and no expert project manager to guide us through … did I mention I literally sketched the house plans myself on a piece of paper while crouched on the tiled floor of my isolated safe room? A big task? … it was for sure.

Obstacles, setbacks and delays … we saw it all. The number of times we worried, doubted, thought we would never make it through … are too many to count. But we persisted, my Step-Dad, Mum and I … slowly, slowly edging our way forward and I’m pleased to say, thank goodness, eventually we created a home.

 

The finishing touches are underway now … I can hardly believe it! Soon I begin the transition into my new healthy home, #AmazingHQ full time!

To celebrate the milestone occasion, I stood for the very first time in my newly competed lounge room for a sneaky photo, snapped by my Mum through the front window.

Proof that we had made it.

Yes all things, even the boldest, most seemingly impossible ideas can actually happen. This photo is surely testament to that.

Next year I will release my ‘Healthy Home Checklist’ ebook. Everything I learned in one, must-have resource. Mailing list peeps will get first dibs, so sign up now. It won’t be long before it’s here!

I’ve been posting loads of progress shots on of the build on social media as well … so head to my Instagram or Facebook group for more!

 

MY ARTICLE IN BODY & SOUL MAGAZINE

Healthy living is most definitely gaining momentum. Yay! Yay! Yay! But if we are at all serious about creating healthier lives for ourselves and our families, we absolutely need to consider this … the health of our homes too.

So I was thrilled when one of Australia’s most popular, national newspaper supplements, Body & Soul Magazine (2 MILLION PLUS, READERS WEEKLY!) approached me to share my story about building my own healthy home and some info on MCS too.

An online version of the story was also published via The Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun too. Don’t forget to share this with your family and friends because the issue of indoor air quality and healthier homes impact us all!

 

MY ARTICLE IN HUFFINGTON POST

Misinformed stereotypes about chronic illness are everywhere. Especially, regarding how people that are sick should look, feel and behave.

So, after I read some high profile comments in the media questioning the health status of Lyme Disease sufferer, Yolanda Hadid … cause you know, if you can smile in front of a camera then that means you’re faking the whole illness thing, right? Well after reading THAT discussion, I knew that I had a very passionate and well informed personal opinion to contribute to the conversation.

It took me two whole weeks to gather up enough courage to pitch my opinion piece to the Huffington Post … but it took just moments for Arianna Huffington to email me back with a big thumbs up.

Sometimes we feel our opinions and perspectives don’t matter. But if we are at all moved, we must speak up. We must share our truth. We must be apart of the solution.

And yes, you totally guessed right, in this Huff Post article, I don’t hold anything back.

 

ANOTHER TOOTH EXTRACTION IN THE KITCHEN

Without doubt, the most common reaction I hear when someone learns that I’ve had five dental surgeries at home in my kitchen … minus pain relief, is usually a VERY long pause followed by the uncertain words … “You did what?”

Heads up… I share your disbelief. I cannot quite believe I’ve done it either! But when people are housebound due to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome etc or other life altering illness, regular everyday tasks, including medical and dental treatment can sometimes require a different approach.

It can be very difficult to locate doctors, dentists and other health practitioners willing to work with people who are housebound with serious illness. I think this is surprising information for many people in the general community. There’s an assumption that if you’re very sick and need medical care that there are services that will come to your aid without fail. But unfortunately that is not always true.

I decided to share my own dental journey with you all to not only raise awareness of this topic, but also foster some hope within those who may be struggling to access basic medical care themselves.

I have learned, that if you persist, in spite of challenging circumstances or unfair discrimination, you will eventually find people, good people who are willing to help you.

These doctors, dentists and other health practitioners are real heroes in my book. The ones that are willing to step up and work with people in real need, even in difficult situations. I hope that their courageous examples inspire others to serve and heal their own patients in better, more inclusive ways too.

You can learn more about my home dental experiences via the links below.

5 Home Dental Surgeries: This Is What I Learned PART 1

My Tooth Extraction In The Kitchen Without Anaesthetic. Yes, A True Story

 

 

FOODIE LOVE

Man, I miss food. At the end of another year still struggling with food allergy/intolerance/hypersensitivity, I’m frustrated and forlorn that I have made so little progress in this area.

Aside from the obvious concerns regarding chronic low nutrition and poor variety of foods in my diet, I really miss the simple pleasure of eating delicious healthy food, along with the creative joy of recipe development, presentation and laying on a fancy spread for loved ones once and a while.

So even though I could not soothe my hunger cravings this year, I decided I would at least try to soothe my creative ones. I set a goal to regularly make my Mum and Step-Step and occasional visitors, a little special something to feast on.

My criteria was simple. Foodie treats had to be quick … with minimal energy in my tank, I couldn’t manage lengthy prep times. They had to use ingredients on hand … tight budget wouldn’t allow for extravagance. They had to be nutritious … after years of my own healing journey I couldn’t bring myself to serve up anything less than wellness on a plate.

Unable to sample any of the homemade treats myself, I survived on the sounds of “oohs” and “ahhs” and the universally declared “yums”
from my guests!

And because so many of you have asked for it, next year I plan to include some recipes in detail here on the blog too!

In the mean time, you can check out my Insta for more delicious foodie pics like ones I snapped above! Raw Cocao Mousse Topped With Coconut, Raspberry and Pistacio Bark … AND Raw Caramel Slice Topped With Mini Bliss Balls and Coconut Sugar Crumble! WOW!

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION

It’s hard to explain what it really feels like to live in isolation for such a long time due to illness. Sometimes I think I could liken it to being in solitary confinement in prison for a crime you didn’t commit or stranded on a deserted island in the middle of a vast ocean. But apart from the obviously barren surroundings and total disconnect from everyday activities and places, the most impactful aspect by far, is the lack of contact you have with other human beings.

Meaningful relationships with others are crucial to our wellbeing, our sense of self and even our sanity.

To sit close. To make eye contact. To laugh. To share. To be fully present with one another. This basic interaction, this human accountability, this life affirming action … is a powerful healer.

Being housebound with severe MCS and ME/CFS, has impacted all my relationships in a big way. Some relationships have strengthened, some have been tested but many more have disappeared completely. But the ones that have survived, I treasure immeasurably. The people who have loved me regardless of my circumstances … who have stayed in touch with me, who have visited me, even coming fragrance free and changing into safe clothes and shower cap just so they can be near me, even hug me. Those truly amazing human beings stand tall as beacons of what real friendship and humanity looks like.

 

GOODBYE BUBBA

I still remember the very first time we met and for almost 15 years, we were inseparable.

His unwavering loyalty, love, companionship and protection filled me up and on many occasions, was my only reason I had to keep on striving forward in spite of the tough times that surrounded me.

When he started to get so ill that he couldn’t walk, I carried him. Too ill too eat or drink, I coaxed him, fed him drop my drop, by hand. I could see he was struggling. It broke my heart. All I could do, was show up for him, be there for him, love him … just like he had done for me many, many times over.

I still burst into tears some days when I remember that I’m never going to see him again. I mean, how do you imagine your life without your best friend in it?

But what’s much more important than the indescribable sadness that I feel, is how he made my life better. And that he did.

Rest in peace, Bubba. I love you.

 

CONFESSIONS, MANIFESTOS AND LOOKING AHEAD

It’s time to level with you. The second half of this year has been hard. Really hard. I have never felt so stressed or overwhelmed. Many times I just wanted to give up. Many times, I actually did.

I’ve endured a lot on this healing journey but I’ve never known a breaking point like this. I could no longer see a way forward and I felt completely abandoned by the Universe.

Long term isolation, over a year of living in the bathroom, the constant pressure of a building project, the loss of my precious feline companion, another dental extraction, financial troubles, numerous goals and dreams passing me by and a worsening of my overall health … it all just became too much. I reached the end of my cope rope.

But a year of one’s life should never be summed up solely via bad days, loneliness or hardship.

At the very beginning of 2016, I wrote a Manifesto. Penned not only as a gift to myself to mark the important milestone of my 40th birthday, but as a declaration … a personal promise to myself to be my best me no matter what.

This year I have definitely been tested but I have certainly grown through it all. I have been called, numerous times to higher levels of spiritual development and I have done my best to rise to the challenge.

I’ve showed up for myself time and time again.

I’ve walked forward in faith, in spite of opposition and when all the odds were against me. I’ve leaned into peace when it counted the most and I’ve embraced new areas of my own heart.

Although many of the circumstances of my life may still be somewhat unchanged, WITHIN ME, it’s a very different story. I can wholeheartedly say, after 2016, I am more than the person I was before. I have still honoured the original manifesto promise I made to myself all those months ago.

And lastly to you, Great Soul … a BIG thank you for joining me on this journey. Thank you for not only reading my blog and social media posts and published works, but for taking the time to leave me comments, kind encouragement and for sharing your own stories with me too. You inspire me beyond measure and I am infinitely grateful.

I hope as you stand now at the junction between this year and next, you will find the courage to look beyond the circumstances of your own life and focus on something even greater. About how much you’ve grown and about how much you’ve learned. And that no matter what 2016 brought you, you now have an opportunity to start afresh. Write a different story or even, a completely new manifesto for your life. Because the possibilities, Great Soul are truly endless.