Boundaries
I’ve been beating myself up for not keeping top of the social media or posting an interview I finished writing weeks ago. I felt like I’d not done the goal of this page justice and fallen at the first hurdle. I was worried people who had spent time and effort supporting me would think it was all for nothing.
Keeping up with the page, doing interviews and writing them hasn’t been a chore. I’ve loved every minute of it. But with limited energy levels I’ve struggled to keep a balance on full time employment, happiness and health.
Maintaining my health is a part time job in itself with regular appointments, managing medication, rigidly planning my week to ensure I don’t over do it and plan rest days. There are strength exercises twice a week to maintain the ability to do housework, cardio because for at least 4 days a week I move very little. Finally we it’s a must that I fit in an activity just to enjoy because stress can trigger a flare up like a light switch.
My first thought was I just couldn’t do this. That I’d bitten off more than I could chew. But I remembered the blog I posted about my experience and decided to make this page adaptive to me. I have to set my boundaries.
“Something I’d recommend to others in a situation like mine is to find your boundaries and stick to them.” - extract from Outside Ani’s Way
I don’t have the energy levels of the average non-disabled blogger so I won’t try to run Outside: Our Way the way they do. This isn’t going to be a consistent and timely blog. The socials might go through quiet phases.
But don’t be under the impression that I won’t be working a lot on this. I’m genuinely excited to share the interviews I’ve done so far and just as excited to do more! I’ve not lost my passion for Outside Our Way, but I shouldn’t have to burn myself out for it to be considered good enough. This is me being realistic and making sure that this blog is sustainable for me.
So how can the non-disabled provide support?
I’m so glad you asked!
Share, share, share. You can help fill the gaps by giving the interviews the attention they deserve. Amplify the amazing people and the important things they have to say. Show them your support!
It shouldn’t be down to the chronically ill and disabled alone to constantly advocate and raise awareness for themselves. Your support and engagement can take some of that burden from us.
