The Chronicles of My Life

Hey! I’m Emily. This is a blog that I use to discuss my chronic illnesses (my conditions are: POTS, EDS, fibromyalgia, costochondritis, and PCOS), as well as connect with others in the chronic illness community. I'm a writer, recent college graduate, lover of dogs, feminist, and disability advocate, and I'm figuring out life and living each day one spoon at a time.

[positivity-in-pain]

I mean, whatever works, right? 🤷

[my-disability]

I keep seeing post about 'not giving up things because of your disability' and I love the optimism. Sadly that's just not possible for a lot of us.

We lose a lot of things because of our disability and we all have to come to terms with that. Maybe some day you'll be able to do that thing again, but for now it's ok to let go.

You don't need to push yourself that hard or feel like a failure when you can't do that thing anymore. It's ok to give up things, it's not something bad.

If there is something you don't want to give up, then yes you can fight for it. But don't keep fighting to the point where it'll only hurt you more emotionally/physically.

Our lives are already difficult, so it's ok to not be able to do things. That's literally being disabled.

Don't feel pressured to hold onto things that you can't do. The only person that gets to decide if you want to fight for it or let it go is you.

Please be gentle on yourself.

[just-positivity-stuff]

[thesassyducks]

Sport time 😂❤️ [Sound on]

[just-positivity-stuff]

Just so we're clear: You can NOT support both black lives matter and Donald Trump. You just can't. You pick one or the OTHER. If you STILL support Donald Trump at this point, with the obvious blatant racism and disregard for any lives other than white people, im going to assume you are a RACIST. He literally supports a member of the KKK, he's been DOXXING protestors from black lives matter protestors on his twitter, if you STILL support him you ARE a racist. That's the end of it.

[autumnhobbit]

worst part of adulthood so far is definitely the fact that people have the ability to contact me and i have to respond in a timely manner

[1spoonatatime]

Hey, friends! I wanted to share an article I wrote a few months back with y’all.

I’m More Than Your Inspiration Porn — Life With A Disability

I’ll explain how inspiration porn (seeing disabled people as inspiring for simply existing) does harm, and how to have better, less awkward

[1spoonatatime]

Me: *looks into applying for disability*

Also me: *is told that I may not be eligible because I have a part-time job and live with family rather than living on my own and going into debt*

[1spoonatatime]

Hey there, friends!

I haven’t really been on tumblr as of late. It hasn’t felt like the best platform to engage with and express myself lately. However, I’ve made so many friends on here and have really appreciated learning from others, and I want to keep up with y’all!

I’m currently using Twitter a lot more, so if you’d like to find me there, you can @EmilyTaylorD

As always, I’m sending love and spoons.

[moonstone-reverie]

Me: Alright I’m going to be super productive tomorrow!

Me, the second my alarm goes off:

[krishnas-grateful-slave-deactiv]

if you’re at a low point in life right now, consider THIS:

new people are coming your way with love

a huge success may be waiting around the corner

the possibilities are endless

you can always change your habits

[epheliss]

Just cus i cant live off pasta doesnt mean i wont live off pasta

[datmos]

I lived off of almost nothing but spaghetti for 3 years straight and then they had to remove my colon.

[epheliss]

That sounds like a you problem

[onlinecounsellingcollege]

How to Cope with Blah Days

1. Recognise that it’s a feeling – and our moods go up and down. Shrug your shoulders, grit your teeth and choose to make it through the day. Nothing’s really wrong – and there is nothing wrong with you. It’s just the way you’re feeling – and our feelings usually change.

2. Don’t be hard and condemn yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling miserable and blah, or for feeling apathetic and low on energy. Be patient, understanding and gentle with yourself. You’re no worse than others for we ALL have blah days

3. Do something rather that nothing. Do a few mindless tasks so you don’t just waste the day – and you’re likely to feel better once those you’ve got those out the way as they’re usually the things that you never want to do!

4. Only do as much as you have to. It’s going to take all your strength just to make it through the day. Preserve your energy – and allow some things to slide. You can always get around to them another day.

5. Be extra nice to yourself. One of the best ways to fight a bleary day is to be nice to yourself and to do the kinds of things that help to lift your mood and to brighten up your day. For example, go out for a coffee, or have a bubble bath, turn up your favourite music or call a bunch of friends. Do all the kinds of things you know will help to boost your mood.

6. Remind yourself that it’s likely to pass. A bad day is just a day. It’s not the whole of your life. It just means that right now you want to crawl back into bed. It doesn’t mean your goals are wrong or that you won’t succeed in life! You’re just having a bad day – and it’s likely to pass.

[owlet]

abled people think wheelchairs are prisons; but to someone like me, it’s a liberation unlike any i’ve ever experienced.

being able to go places and participate in things while being fully present, happy, and energetic is something i haven’t experienced since childhood. without the constant need to seek breaks or duck out of events early i can experience my life in ways that i simply wasn’t capable of before. 

[Image ID: The first panel is captioned “what i was afraid getting a wheelchair would be like.” It is a black and white drawing that pictures a sad and lonely looking girl sitting in an oversized wheelchair. The shutters are closed, and the room has cracks and cobwebs.

The remainder of the panels feature a cheerful-looking girl with long hair and bangs in a lightweight wheelchair, drawn in pink. The second panel is captioned “what it was actually like,” and features the girl rolling blissfully down a path surrounded by flowery fields.

The third panel shows the girl staring with sparkly eyes at a round cat-shaped object on a store shelf. Text by the girl reads “new items unlocked!”

The fourth panel shows the girl from behind, staring with an open-mouthed smile at some baby birds and their mother. The text reads “babies!”

The last panel is of the girl using her feet to propel down the sidewalk, while walking a brown cat with a harness. End ID]

[accessibilityfails]

Just so able bodied people know… this is 200% accurate.

[nevver]

Threads in time, Natalie Ciccoricco (because)

[sasskarian]

@systlin @theherocomplex and all my fellow fiber arts folks

[star-temeraire]

cant believe this actually needs to be said but disabled people shouldn’t be paid below the minimum wage.

[purrfurnax]

people think like ‘if youre not going to work then you should just be thankful for any money at all’ but consider: it isnt our fault we cant work, and being thankful doesnt make food, rent, and other essentials cheaper

[powertothedisabled]

I’ve been in a lot of pain lately and just want to sleep most of the time, but that’s ok.