October is here! Autumn, the nights drawing in, the beautiful colours outside, digging out the winter warmers, Strictly Come Dancing (huge fan here!) and Halloween…..not quite such a big thing here in the UK as for some of my virtual pals across the pond, but it is growing!  It also brings a special anniversary in our house tomorrow….more of that to come!

If you saw my post yesterday, you will already know that I haven’t been too well this last week as my autonomic nervous system went into melt down…..causing severe dysautonomia with me unable to stand up, fainting, ear pain (anyone else get this?) and severe brain fog.  Unfortunately this coincided with a call from Ofsted for the school where I am a governor for an inspection that we have been expecting and wanting for some time.  Whilst I managed to get to the school the evening before to meet with the head, the chair and my co-vice chair, I became so aware of the effects of brain fog as I couldn’t recall any recent figures or information that may be necessary for the inspection.  Of course stress often exacerbates illness symptoms – whether chronic or otherwise – and as a bit of a worrier/internaliser (typical of EDS anxiety) I struggled more than usual to sleep and then on the morning of the “big day” I was unable to even sit up without snow vision and nausea. Great – just when I needed to use my brain, which was once OK despite what my kids may say, it was full of enormous balls of cotton wool and opiate sized holes.  My colleagues were of course just fine without me…..but once again I am left with that feeling that I have let other people down.  The loss of clarity and independence drives me bananas!

So once I was able to read a computer screen again – the light can make the visual disturbance so much worse – I have spent some hours over the weekend looking for some more great blog posts for you.  I am mindful that not everyone who follows my ramblings has a chronic illness, so this week I have found a mixture of posts from cookery to a podcast.

I have my coffee in my hand, so I invite you to sit down and join me for a virtual cuppa whilst enjoying reading some fantastic posts.

https://cookandenjoyrecipes.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/caashifas-apple-crumble/

https://blondewritemore.com/2017/10/01/how-to-survive-blogging-with-a-small-following-sundayblogshare-blogs-bloggers/

https://orianasnotes.com/2017/09/28/5-monthly-favorites-september/

https://www.beecontentyoga.com/aqua-yoga-for-arthritis-research/

https://upbeatliving.net/12-tips-chronic-pain-care-despite-changing-laws/

https://makinglol.com/is-blogging-right-for-you/

https://lifeofstones.com/index.php/2017/09/22/how-changing-your-mindset-can-improve-your-life/

https://cityskippergal.com/2017/10/02/klosterman-welcomes-pink-in-october/

https://poisoninlethaldoses.wordpress.com/2017/10/02/follow-your-gut-because-it-doesnt-lie/

https://makeitultrapsychology.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/negative-core-beliefs-podcast/

Please remember to comment, share, like and make a blogger’s day!

Claire x