Audio version of this post can be found HERE.
Hi everyone!
I just wanted to provide a quick update and let you all know that as of today, every post from 2019 on will include a link at the top to an audio version of that post. This is done in an effort to increase accessibility. I will also be tweaking the blog style and structure over the next few days or weeks to make it easier to read and view.
If you have any suggestions for ways that I can make things easier for you or anyone else to enjoy the blog, please do not hesitate to reach out- I'm always willing to learn!
Also, if there are any particular posts in the archives of this blog that you would like the audio version to, please shoot me a request, and I will record them for you.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Community Compatibility: We Don't All Just Get Along
Audio of this post can be found HERE.
One of the things that makes life with chronic illness difficult (at least for me) is the struggle for community. Though these things we go through are incredibly personal, it helps some of us to be a part of a group of others who know the struggle. People tend to think that just because you have the same disease, you'll all have the same mindset for dealing with said disease. This could not be further from the truth.
For example, I just recently joined a Facebook community for people who have eczema. It's a rather large group- thousands of members, actually. So far, it's been rough to be a part of it - and not just because of all of the posts which give me vivid flashbacks to growing up with severe eczema as a child, and then a teenager. Actually, what's pushing me away is the mindset of the majority of the people.
I am someone who absolutely hates unsolicited advice. I have a very negative reaction to it, because I've been subjected to an inordinate amount of it (especially regarding my health issues) for my entire life. That is why I try my hardest to never give advice unless asked (or given the okay). That's just who I am, and frankly, nothing alienates me faster from a conversation than unwanted advice - especially from people who do not know my specific situation.
This is a mindset that the majority of people in this group do not share or respect. People are bombarded with advice, from practical to absolutely ridiculous, on every single post- whether they asked for advice or not. It's, frankly, daunting.
But even if we ignore that glaring social faux pas, a big part of compatibility with a community comes down to sharing the same ideals and, to an extent, similar views.
Example: If I swear exclusively by the miracles of modern medicine to deal with my skin problems, I probably won't find a lot of connection in a group devoted to holistic health solutions for eczema.
Conversely, if I were only interested in natural remedies for my eczema, I would feel very out of place in a group which follows the progress of the newest medicines and treatments becoming available.
In either of those situations, despite the core trait that we share, we wouldn't, at the end of the day, have much to talk about.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that community is important- but a supportive community where you feel listened to and comfortable in is essential. Life is hard enough without our support systems being stressful, too.
So for me, at least, the search begins again! I hope that everyone looking for a community finds one that's an excellent fit.
Until next time, friends!
One of the things that makes life with chronic illness difficult (at least for me) is the struggle for community. Though these things we go through are incredibly personal, it helps some of us to be a part of a group of others who know the struggle. People tend to think that just because you have the same disease, you'll all have the same mindset for dealing with said disease. This could not be further from the truth.
For example, I just recently joined a Facebook community for people who have eczema. It's a rather large group- thousands of members, actually. So far, it's been rough to be a part of it - and not just because of all of the posts which give me vivid flashbacks to growing up with severe eczema as a child, and then a teenager. Actually, what's pushing me away is the mindset of the majority of the people.
I am someone who absolutely hates unsolicited advice. I have a very negative reaction to it, because I've been subjected to an inordinate amount of it (especially regarding my health issues) for my entire life. That is why I try my hardest to never give advice unless asked (or given the okay). That's just who I am, and frankly, nothing alienates me faster from a conversation than unwanted advice - especially from people who do not know my specific situation.
This is a mindset that the majority of people in this group do not share or respect. People are bombarded with advice, from practical to absolutely ridiculous, on every single post- whether they asked for advice or not. It's, frankly, daunting.
But even if we ignore that glaring social faux pas, a big part of compatibility with a community comes down to sharing the same ideals and, to an extent, similar views.
Example: If I swear exclusively by the miracles of modern medicine to deal with my skin problems, I probably won't find a lot of connection in a group devoted to holistic health solutions for eczema.
Conversely, if I were only interested in natural remedies for my eczema, I would feel very out of place in a group which follows the progress of the newest medicines and treatments becoming available.
In either of those situations, despite the core trait that we share, we wouldn't, at the end of the day, have much to talk about.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that community is important- but a supportive community where you feel listened to and comfortable in is essential. Life is hard enough without our support systems being stressful, too.
So for me, at least, the search begins again! I hope that everyone looking for a community finds one that's an excellent fit.
Until next time, friends!
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Aaand We're Back!
Audio of this post can be found HERE
Hello everyone!
It's been about 3 years since my last entry into this blog. Frankly, and possibly ironically, I find that the times that I'm struggling the most with my chronic health issues, and therefore have the most to say, are also the times that I least want to write about it.
Regardless, if you're reading this, I want to give you a quick update on my personal health situation, and then share some news about this blog and what to expect in the weeks - and hopefully months- to come.
On a personal note, the past few years have been rough, health-wise. I've had a few surgeries, way too many trips to urgent care and hospitals, and a new diagnosis. Throughout it all, of course, the thing that remained irritatingly constant was the eczema. I tried a few new treatments for that, too! But more on all of that later! On to the big reason that I'm writing this:
Someone recently said to me that it is human nature to fear what we do not understand. But I counter that that is an incomplete idea. It is human nature to fear what we do not understand- and that is what drives us to try to understand everything. We are curious creatures- we never like to be in the dark for long. In the spirit of that, I'm revamping Scritch to be an open exchange about chronic illness. I'll still be primarily focusing on my life with the chronic illnesses I struggle with- after all, that was the foundation of this blog, and I would never dream of writing for another group of people when I have no idea what they're going through. But I hope to tweak the structure to include a little more education and exchange of ideas, highlighting different views on symptom control and bettering quality of life. I'm pretty excited about this, and, even though the idea is still new, I hope once I can iron out how to do it, it can become something great.
If you're still reading this, thank you! I hope you'll continue to visit, and join me on this very uncertain journey.
Hello everyone!
It's been about 3 years since my last entry into this blog. Frankly, and possibly ironically, I find that the times that I'm struggling the most with my chronic health issues, and therefore have the most to say, are also the times that I least want to write about it.
Regardless, if you're reading this, I want to give you a quick update on my personal health situation, and then share some news about this blog and what to expect in the weeks - and hopefully months- to come.
On a personal note, the past few years have been rough, health-wise. I've had a few surgeries, way too many trips to urgent care and hospitals, and a new diagnosis. Throughout it all, of course, the thing that remained irritatingly constant was the eczema. I tried a few new treatments for that, too! But more on all of that later! On to the big reason that I'm writing this:
Someone recently said to me that it is human nature to fear what we do not understand. But I counter that that is an incomplete idea. It is human nature to fear what we do not understand- and that is what drives us to try to understand everything. We are curious creatures- we never like to be in the dark for long. In the spirit of that, I'm revamping Scritch to be an open exchange about chronic illness. I'll still be primarily focusing on my life with the chronic illnesses I struggle with- after all, that was the foundation of this blog, and I would never dream of writing for another group of people when I have no idea what they're going through. But I hope to tweak the structure to include a little more education and exchange of ideas, highlighting different views on symptom control and bettering quality of life. I'm pretty excited about this, and, even though the idea is still new, I hope once I can iron out how to do it, it can become something great.
If you're still reading this, thank you! I hope you'll continue to visit, and join me on this very uncertain journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)