community, M.E, mental health, wellbeing, Work

Dear M.E. Ally

It's about Time Dear M.E. Ally This blog post is for you, and it's about Time. Time as something finite, something precious and something unequally distributed amongst us, especially pwME. (The abbreviation pwME is a shorthand for people with M.E. used on socials which I will be using here). Settle in as it’s long and… Continue reading Dear M.E. Ally

community, creative writing, M.E, Poetry

Their Final Performance: ProtestNICE4ME

Image reads: THEIR FINAL PERFORMANCE 1.1.   Who better than those who profess to know minds to twist our actions? Those that have plundered the void to plug with their confidence (tricks). To keep those of us blighted by secrets locked tight in our cells bombarded by their (un)veiled attacks. To call us the aggressors in their… Continue reading Their Final Performance: ProtestNICE4ME

M.E

ME and the Virus that had never really gone

(This is the third part of my M.E story. If you haven’t yet, I’d recommend you read parts one and two, here and here.) In the early part of 2010 I packed my bags and headed to Peru. I had decided to have one last adventure before hitting my forties and quickly found myself 3000… Continue reading ME and the Virus that had never really gone

M.E

M.E and the virus that went away…for a while… (maybe)

(This is the second part of three of my story of M.E.  If you haven’t yet, I’d recommend you read part one here) 2nd Edit: Oops. I managed to forget a very significant event in my life, or maybe block it out, due to my desire to finish this piece and rest. I've added it now.… Continue reading M.E and the virus that went away…for a while… (maybe)

creative writing, M.E, wellbeing

If only

I was just starting to stir this morning. Not quite asleep, not quite awake, lying in the world in between. I felt nothing. No pain, no tiredness, for a moment I thought I had recovered and allowed space to entertain the feeling. But I took a breath and time moved on and it all came… Continue reading If only

M.E, wellbeing, women

M.E & The Virus that never leaves

"No poly. I feel like a bag of shit. Didn't surface until afternoon. Can hardly eat. Can hardly move my eyes." This was an entry in my diary, one of those five-year diaries mainly girls of my day would be gifted for Christmases or birthdays. In my case it was my 14th Christmas, an idea… Continue reading M.E & The Virus that never leaves

Consumption, M.E, mental health

Defective

New poem for ME Awareness Month 2021. I wanted to write something that reflects the frustration of being dismissed, ignored & gaslighted because we cannot be "good productive members" of a consumerist economy. Seems apt to post this on International Workers Day too. For more information on living with M.E or caring for someone with… Continue reading Defective

community, creative writing, Friendship, Gratitude, M.E, Self-care, wellbeing

The formula for Gratitude

Want to know what gratitude feels like? Take away the every day... Take away getting ready for work Take away opening jars, making tea, standing while it brews Take away hats, scarves, sunglasses, flipflops Take away cosy chats, feisty debates, gossiping girls Take away walking, running, cycling, swimming Take away everything you never knew you… Continue reading The formula for Gratitude

creative writing, Friendship, Gratitude, M.E, recovery, Self-care, Work

My full time job

"What do you do?", you say I know what you want to hear - I am a this, I am a that, I am employed, valid, salaried, PAYED As you are. You want me to make sense to you. You want me to be part of the world as you know it. Yet my full… Continue reading My full time job

Gratitude, M.E, Spiritual work, wellbeing

My Bank Holiday and M.E

Some days I just want to sit under a tree. This is the Bank Holiday day we always dream of but very rarely see. Powder blue sky, lush green trees at the height of their vibrancy, parks full of string bikinis, string vests, local boys impressing local girls with too-loud music, bare stomachs and alcopops.… Continue reading My Bank Holiday and M.E