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Going Back To Your Roots As A Chronically Unwell Mum
Well this week I had a huge revelation, I realised there was a huge part of me missing in my personal blogosphere as a chronically unwell mum. How and why it has taken so long to work this out I do not know, but I finally realised I need to start writing from the heart more often and decided to go back to my roots and write more about my experiences as a mother with chronic illness.
I wrote a blog post called I am a parent with chronic illness which goes into a little more detail on why I hid myself and focussed on “other” aspects of blogging for the past 6 months or so. I guess sometimes others can influence you and you don’t even realise it.
I’m kicking myself now thinking why on earth did I listen to rubbish advice. I guess my confidence must have been pretty poor. Anyway the adjustments have begun and today I am writing about going back to my roots.
My blog journey began when I was in utter despair. My life sucked. I was stuck in bed all the time. I still am stuck in bed a lot, I have a chronic illness and it’s not going to go away but I was really miserable and decided to start writing about it….AND SO MY BLOGGING JOURNEY BEGAN.
It’s been a roller coaster of a ride to this point and I’ve had a name change from Days in bed to The inspiration Edit, won awards and had my fair share of trolls but the one constant in everything I’ve been through is that I am still chronically unwell.
I have adrenal insufficiency, human growth hormone deficiency, Chronic fatigue, Inability to saturate Iron and struggle over and over with Vitamin D, B12, Zinc and Folate. The life saving steroid medication I took since developing Adrenal Insufficiency damaged my ability to absorb vitamins and minerals and therefore one medication causes other health issues.
Well, the great news is after a 6 month wait, I saw a Haematologist and he diagnosed my Iron issue. He arranged for me to have an Iron Infusion and I am having this today. Heck by the time you have read this I may have even had my infusion. I am nervous. I do not know what to expect. It will be my first Iron infusion but I am hopeful it will help with the exhaustion I have been suffering from since 2016. It’s been awful.
I could have gone to London and paid £400 to see a private doctor but it was out of my price range so I’ve been patiently waiting to be treated by the NHS and it is my turn tomorrow. I am going to write about it and share my experience in case anyone else has to go through this and is wondering what is involved.
I am a chronically unwell mum and so my Facebook should represent that!
I changed my Facebook page name from The Inspiration Edit to The Inspiration Edit, Family lifestyle and parenting with chronic illness. I want to grow my following based on who I really am. Within 24 hours I lost 200 followers from my Facebook page. Yes that sucks but it’s probably a good thing. What is the point following someone if you are not interested in their content?
Well I am excited. I am finally going to start writing again, my style, Angela’s style and I feel good about it. I won’t be asking for advise and seeking approval. I am going to be me and yes I will continue to share fantastic ideas on family and fun but I want to share more on my health journey as so I will.
I hope you enjoy following along.
Angela x
Thank you for such a open post, it was wonderful to read. I too suffer with a chronic illness, as does my mum and we both blog about it too but I know it can be incredibly daunting to put so much of yourself out there but just remember it helps others in the same situation to feel supported 🙂
thanks. I’m glad it will help others.
Good luck with this shift in your blogging career, Im sure that despite loosing those followers you will be better off for the decision. Be who you are not who the world wants you to be!
thanks.
Ahh! That is fab news about the Iron infusion! I hope it helps! Good luck x
thanks Kim
your story is so relatable not only to me but to others too I am sure as most blogs tend to start out in a similar manner
thanks. I’m glad you feel this way. Blogs often do start out with no intention.
What that is crazy! I can’t believe you lost 200 followers just by staying true to yourself that is crazy. Well I welcome your personal content and look forward to reading more posts like this x
It was a lot but I guess some people assume chronic illness means my content on parenting will change… they are wrong.
I look forward to following along with your health journey! And reading all your other posts 🙂
thanks Robin!
Sadly, I think our followers can be a bit fickle when you make a change like you did with your Facebook account. I think you will find many more followers by staying true to who you are.
THANKS Kelly.
Thank you for sharing your story, I am sure it will be wonderful for those who relate to it to hear of people going through the same situation.
Your welcome Sarah !
That is such a good decision to follow your personal journey and write from the heart. There is no doubt the right people will connect with you on that level and really appreciate you so much more because of it. I hope everything will go well the iron infusion (I’m sure it will) and that you go on from strength to strength based on your own inspiration.
thankyou Nicole.
Thanks so much for sharing your story! I’m glad you’re back to writing, and I look forward to see what you have for us!
Congratulations on getting some new information and getting back into writing. I’m pulling for you, and I’ll be following along!
I hope you are coping well with all those illnesses it must be very difficult. I will keep looking for the next step in your journey.
thanks. I am doing my best!
It sounds like changing your page name was a good decision. There are probably people who search for those keywords who will end up finding your page now. I had to rebrand twice but I’m glad I ended up doing it!
thanks
I’m glad that you’re sharing your story and it would help other parents who are going through the same thing. Parenting is challenging as it is, what more if you have to deal with a chronic illness.
I hope things go well with that iron infusion! I think it’s nice that you’re expanding your blog and being more real about what you’re going through.
It is important to stick with what you want to write about. If you have advice to share, the internet is a great place to do it. Good luck with your journey1
Wishing you all the best in this move. Always remember, you should love yourself first. We were not born to conform. We were born to stand out. Don’t worry about what others would say. Its your life you are living, Not theirs.
I’m so happy to read your post because you are very inspiring by being true to yourself <3
And I wouldn't worry about those who unfollowed — they probably didn't even visited your content!
thanks
Good luck with the Iron Infusion treatment! I hope it gives you some relief. Sharing your story online will definitely help others!
Thanks lovely.
What an open post about your experience! I think its always best to do what represents you inside! I can’t believe you lost 200 followers in 24 hours, but the ones you gain will be authentic and connect with you and your brand.
You are an inspiration! Parenting with chronic illness is a tough job! Good luck to your journey!
I love such honest posts! It’s such a cool way to feel connected to people across the world and provide a support system. Even if we never meet, I already have included you in my prayers. I truly hope that you feel better so that you can continue writing about your experiences!
I think that is very brave of you to come forward with your situation.
Followers will come and go – it is best to be true to yourself.
Looking forward to following along. Thanks for sharing. looking forward to hearing more about your journey!
I can’t believe that people would unfollow your Facebook page. Good riddance to them anyways. Focus on those who support and love you.
I am happy for you to break those bonds. It must feel so good to be finally out there, the real you! Wishing you all the best in this new move. Enjoy the ride!
thanks.
It must be very difficult at times to stay positive. Keep up the great work and I hope things continue to get better for you!
I am so happy you are doing this! I also have a chronic illness and while I am not yet a parent I hope to be in the near future! It would be great to read posts from someone I can relate to and who is living a similar lifestyle.
awesome. I hope this helps you.
Good for you for being willing to follow your gut. For me, when I write what I think others want to read, it’s never as authentic as when I’m writing from the heart. Can’t wait to follow along! x
thanks
I like to read blogs that share real and heartfelt things. I don’t need to read tabloids… I can get that the supermarket, but a good honest thoughtful post on a blog is my favorite.
Thanks kristi.
Good for you! You have to listen to your gut and be true to who you are, you didn’t want those followers anyway and now you’ve made space for people who truly need what you have to offer the world and will value that. I’m looking forward to getting to know you. <3
thanks 🙂 This is so true.
I agree, you should totally be who YOU are and who cares if you lost those 200. They weren’t your fans to begin with (I try to listen to my own advice and I know it can be hard) and I pray that you will gain that many more back times 10.
thanks Erin. That is lovely.
I can’t believe you lost 200 followers just by being real but I am happy you are being true to yourself and helping out people with similar chronic illness by sharing your experience. I pray for your good health. Good luck with your new blog journey
yes I totally agree.
Hope your iron infusion went well! The truth is that even if you lost some followers, its okay because you are staying true to yourself with changing your focus and you will gain those followers back and the new followers will be those that are interested in your content.
thanks. I’m looking forward to finding out if it worked for me.