 Dear purple butterflies,
February has officially arrived! It’s beyond chilly outside today because we had a bit of inclement weather yesterday. I certainly felt it with my arthritis acting up. Valentine’s Day will be coming around very soon. My blog this week is an interview with my sweet, very talented and compassionate friend, Lynne Said. I hope you will enjoy reading the interview as much as I did coming up the questions for her to answer. Once again, I want to thank Lynne for her precious time that she took to do this interview. 1. What incident occurred that started your Fibro? How long did it take you to discover this pain was not going away? I think that the onset of fibro for me was a build up over years. I suffered emotional trauma, and very poor nutrition as a child living in a dysfunctional family. I then went on to have a marriage that certainly wasn’t made in heaven, divorced, and remarried a few years later to a man that did make my first marriage look as if it had been made in heaven. It was an abusive, violent marriage that I was terrified to leave. When I did pluck up the courage to get a divorce it was when I moved, and life was calmer to a degree that I noticed random symptoms especially fatigue. This would have been around 2010. 2. Were you diagnosed with Fibro right away? Did you get a second opinion? No definitely not straight away, it took four years to be diagnosed but the last of the four years was the worst. The symptoms had become continuous and debilitating and I was terrified the doctors were missing something serious. I am sure my fear and anxiety were fueling the symptoms I was experiencing. It was my G.P. that first suggested it and did one more blood test to see if there was anything they had missed. The test came back showing I was suffering with Hypothyroidism the symptoms of which overlap with fibro and so my diagnosis was put on hold until I had started taking levothyroxine to balance my thyroid. I had hoped that this would solve the problem but unfortunately it didn’t, and I was referred to Guys Hospital in London to be diagnosed. I didn’t question the diagnosis as by this time I had done enough research to understand that I did had fibromyalgia. 3. Upon your diagnoses, were you relieved? Was your family supportive? I was relieved to know I wasn’t going crazy, and the doctors weren’t missing something more serious. However, that being said, it wasn’t long before devastation replaced relief. It suddenly hit home that there were no real answers and no cure to fibromyalgia so I might be feeling this unwell forever, and that was a terrifying thought. 4. Have you ever suffered from depression? If so, how did you deal with it? Yes, I did suffer from depression and severe anxiety, mainly down to my second marriage. It did get so bad that I was unable to leave my home which was unimaginable for me. I’d always been very sociable and enjoyed spending time outside. I was referred to counselling for anxiety but when I arrived, I realized it was group counselling and my anxiety went through the roof. I managed to find my way home, climb in to bed, and cry under the covers. It was a terrifying experience. I was also prescribed sleeping tablets and did take a few because unbeknown to me, I was suffering with PTSD and having the worst, vivid nightmares imaginable, the sleeping tablets prevented this and actually allowed me to sleep without fear for a short time. It wasn’t very long before I was trialing my own strategies for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 5. What made you want to start a blog? What gets you motivated? My main reason for starting my blog was because the one thing that I had pushed away for a few years was how much lifestyle changes could help me to feel better with fibro. I used to feel angry if anyone suggested it because it felt like blame, and that the way I felt was all my fault. This couldn’t have been further from the truth. There is no blame just learning. When I got my quality of life back through ’whole’ lifestyle changes, I trained to become an NLP Master Practitioner and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach so that I could share my experience and hope for a better life with fibro with others. 6. When did you start getting your Coaching certifications? What made you decide to do the coaching? Helping yourself to recover is one thing, but helping others is something totally different. I wanted to make sure that I was trained in order to know how to help others in the best possible way. I started my NLP training in 2018 and my Coach training in 2019. 7. If you could write a book about your experiences, (life, with Fibro, working with your blog and the certifications) what would you call it? Why? I am writing a book at the moment and it’s so ironic you ask me these questions because the one thing I have no idea on yet is the title. If I were to give a quote about living with fibromyalgia it would have to be, ‘Be curious not judgmental’ because I suffered for more than I needed to, just because I pushed something aside that was the one thing that helped me the most. You never know what will help you so curiosity is so important. Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends! Till next time! Rachel
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 Happy Monday y’all! You wouldn’t happen to have any honey, would you? If you do, you might want to hide it! Especially when a small, brown bear “all stuffed with fluff” comes sniffing around your neighborhood! Who could I be talking about? Pooh of course! Winnie, the Pooh that is! Out of all of the Hundred Acre Wood characters, who is your favorite? I was always partial to Pooh bear. I believe it’s because of his childlike wonder that attracts me to him. He’s also cute a button! Towards the beginning of this month, I stumbled upon thesoccermomblog.com. Most of last year, I followed several awareness sites. While those websites are great and informative, Stacey’s site is so inspiring! I wish I had some up with this idea! By taking ordinary days, she turns them into unique family-oriented celebrations. These celebrations help reinforce important life lessons and (in this case) teach about a famous author. Jan. 18this A.A. Milne’s birthday! In honor of Mr. Milne’s birthday, Jan. 18th has officially become National Winnie The Pooh Day. How much cool is that? Did You Know?
Of all the characters in the hundred-acre wood, Winnie is the one who is always forgetting things. Thinking about Pooh bear helps cheer me up and gets me through my fogs a little easier. Quite often I like to refer to them as my “Pooh days.” There’s also something about Winnie that makes you want to snuggle with him forever. Did you know that January 21st is National Hugging Day? Personally, I could not think of any toy better than a fluffy ol’ bear to cuddle with. As I conclude my last Mindful Monday, I wanted to send a big warm, gentle hug to everyone! I have loved getting to know y’all know through Fibro Connect. Did you grow up with Winnie the Pooh, too? What comforts you during Fibro fog moments? Let me know your thoughts in the comments down below! Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends! Till next time! Be well! ~ Rachel  Happy Monday ya’ll!
Today I’m sharing Pet Therapy, an oldie but goodie post, back when I was first making YouTube videos. Do you have a pet? I’ve always grown up with both dogs and cats. Truth be told, I’m more of a cat person. I found an article from 2020 titled Living with Chronic Pain: How a Service Dog Can Lend a Paw stating that the types of dogs that offer Complex regional pain syndrome support are, emotional support dog, therapeutic dog, and a service dog. On behalf of cats everywhere, our babies love to cuddle us. However, true to form, when they are done, they will let you know and typically leave the room. Whereas a dog may continue to hang out with you all day. They are not like any cats I’ve ever had. Just like humans, I believe it depends on the cat. I hope you’ll enjoy my video. Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below. Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends! Till next time! Be well! ~ Rachel  Dear purple butterflies, Can you believe it? We have exactly four more days left in 2021 and then it will be 2022! Do any of you have any fun traditional plans? We used to go out, but we’ve found that we enjoy staying in just as much. Since we live in the south, one tradition on New Year’s Day is to have a big bowl of black-eyed peas and corn bread. However, I thought it might be fun to start a new tradition this year. I’m talking about watching the twelve best F.R.I.E.N.D.S. episodes to ring in the New Year. 2021 was the year of F.R.I.E.N.D.S for me. I happen to be referring to the television show F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Besides my birthday, F.R.I.E.N.D.S kept popping up throughout the year. I have mentioned this many times before that I love comedies. My attraction to the show is that even though it was made in the mid-nineties, the episodes are timeless. No matter how many times I watch them, they keep me laughing, and they’re so relatable to my own life. Of all the shows I watch, I’ll pick F.R.I.E.N.D.S every time when I am feeling low or laid up in the bed. Life alone can be stressful enough. Stopping to check our mental health regularly is a good practice. It’s one of my goals this coming year. I figure, why not let your friends (even on t.v.) make you laugh? All that being said, here is my personal pick of the twelve best F.R.I.E.N.D.S episodes:
Episode references: What episodes did you like the best? Did you agree with the episodes that I chose. What show, if any would you choose? What Let me know in the comments down below. I’d love to hear back from you! Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends! Till next time! Be well! ~ Rachel  Happy Monday ya’ll!
How many of you have heard of ASMR? The letters stand for “autonomous sensory meridian response. Coined in 2010, ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a relaxing, often sedative sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body. Also known as "brain massage," it's triggered by placid sights and sounds such as whispers, accents, and crackle.” (reference ASMR videos are the biggest YouTube trend you've never heard of). I actually found ASMR quite by accident while perusing YouTube one evening. I think unless someone else tells you about it, that is how most people find out about it. There’s a variety of ASMR channels out there. Crinkling paper, opening boxes, brushing lint off clothes, folding towels etc. The list can go on and on. The channels that I enjoy watching the most include makeup and nail polish tutorials. Gentle Whispering is one my go to ASMR artists when I am in the mood to watch a video. Maria is a talented storyteller with a very calming voice. She can whisper in one video, speak softly in another, and pretend she’s Marilyn Monroe (to reproduce Marilyn’s look) in another video. She’s one of the first ASMR pioneers when it started back in 2009 which leads her with lots of experience and lots of different videos to choose from. ASMR has helped me with my Fibro pain. Granted it does not replace my medications, but it relaxes me. When I am not able to sleep due to a flare, or up late because of spasms, I will look up a video that I’ve watched several times to help lull me to sleep. It’s like putting on a familiar movie, only it’s much shorter. The short clips which help clear my mind for a moment. We all need that time. For me, it’s a great way to destress. I’ve been watching ASMR since 2011. Be cautious before subscribing to just any channel. Make sure you check out their page first. Some ASMR artists misuse the word. The channels that I listen to do not. ASMR is also not for everyone. What works for me, may not work for you. If you’d like to read about the beginnings of ASMR, here is a link: An Oral History of ASMR. What did you think about ASMR? Let me know in the comments down below if you have! I’d love to hear back from you! Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends! Till next time! Be well! Rachel  Happy holidays ya’ll!
Fibromyalgia, the name alone is not fun. However, if you dissect each letter, add a little holiday flavor, it becomes something else entirely! This was my challenge this week. I had a lot of fun figuring out what to put for each letter. Hope you’ll enjoying reading it! F- Find an easy, stress-free meal. For example, we’re having an Italian Christmas this year with Stouffer’s Lasagna along with other goodies. It’s not only going to be yummy, but it’s a family favorite. I- Is ice cream on your list for desserts? Have your ever tried replacing yogurt with it? I’ve been doing that a lot with my recipes because I’m not able to eat ice cream anymore. The yogurt is better tasting, in my opinion, than ice cream. B- Be selfish. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. R- Ready to have family over? Have they offered to lend a hand or bring a dish? Take them up on it! O- One thing to remember this holiday season, please never feel like you’re alone. It's called https://mhanational.org/blog/looking-support-during-holidays-check-out-these-free-resources. M- May all of you have a wonderful and joyous season! Y- Ya’ll must try this recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake. I am using yogurt instead of ice cream. A- Are you needing someone to talk to? You’ve come to the right place! I’m always around and ready to listen! Drop me a line anytime! L- Lights! I almost bought purple Christmas lights to add to my collection this year. G- Go and treat yourself one night! Take a ride (when you’re able to) around your neighborhood and check out the Christmas lights! I- Intense Pain with cold weather can ruin a holiday, celebration, or appointment in a snap! I do my best to plan and stay in bed or rest the day before an important event. That way it ensures I will be able to attend. This plan has not always been failproof. I recently had an appointment and had to cancel due to spasms the night before. Just do the best you can and that is all anyone can ask of you! A- Are you thinking of trying a new tradition? I found this article several years ago, but I always forget about it come Christmas time. Here is the link: Iceland Celebrates Christmas Unlike Any Other Country in the World - Sometimes the biggest ideas can come from the smallest of places Did you think of any other holiday related things that could’ve gone to make up the word Fibromyalgia Let me know in the comments down below if you have! I’d love to hear back from you! Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends! Till next time! Be well! ~ Rachel |
About the author:Rachel Barclift, has been suffering from Fibromyalgia for many years. She went to the doctor, never finding any answers for years. She went to one doctor who told her the pain was all in her head. In 2011, she finally found a doctor that believed her! She was officially diagnosed by her rheumatologist and she was so relieved! She writes blogs in hopes to help others find positivity. |