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How to Keep Your Service Dog Occupied in Quarantine
If your service dog is anything like Crush, they have a lot of energy. I’m lucky to be in close contact with the organization that gave me Crush. They have been proactive about coming up with helpful solutions to doggy boredom. They’re not all perfect but I’ll take what I can get. So here are some ways to keep your dog occupied and trained during quarantine. Keep Training Crush knows a lot but there’s always more to be learned. I want him to be able to know objects by name. When I say get “XYZ” he’ll know what I’m talking about instead of having to point and direct him to…
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Making Life Changing Choices
Making choices is not my strong suit. When faced with a decision, I usually have to consider all my options. I talk about it a lot and lay out all the pros and cons. Right now, I’m in the midst of deciding on whether to get a surgery that has the possibility to change the course of my life. I’m not ready to divulge the topic or changes it would make. Once I finalize decisions, I’ll let you in on my choices. I find making choices somewhat difficult. The chance of making the wrong choice often feels too close to me. People in the chronic illness community have to make…
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One Day At A Time
Let’s be honest, we’re all going a bit stir crazy. I am not immune. Being in the house so much, although productive, is boring. I’m not anxious about Covid. It’s not something that makes me panic. When I get bored, I often like to reflect or get lost in thought. This is between binge watching shows of course. Truth be told, I don’t have a ton of time to watch TV. The Spring semester is coming to a close right before my eyes. It feels like yesterday that I was registering for class a week late. I was terrified. I thought I would be behind. Who would’ve ever thought that…
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How to Spread Positivity
I think in these last few weeks, we could all use a bit more positivity. For most of us, we’ve been stuck indoors for weeks and it’s scheduled to last about a month longer. So how do we spread positivity? Back in times before quarantine, I would have brought a friend or family member a small gift. I might have even dropped by just to say hello. Now, things are different but there’s still positivity and love all around us. Here are five ways to spread positivity that don’t involve going anywhere. Send a Message Too often we think of someone, ask ourselves what they’re up to and miss the…
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Dealing With Cancelled Appointments
If you’re anything like me, your appointments have been rescheduled. Rescheduled meaning they don’t have a date for them yet. It’s a stressful and frustrating situation and yet it cannot be helped. I’m glad that medical institutions are doing their best to keep everyone safe. But, not having my scheduled appointments is disappointing. I can’t help but think how differently some of these days would have gone if I had my appointments. Last Friday, I was supposed to meet with a new autonomic neurologist. I’ve waited months for this appointment and the answers it could bring may change my life. Now I have no idea when I’ll have this appointment.…
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Confronting Fear and Anxiety
Confronting fear is something I aspire to do well. Currently, fear gets a hold of me all too often. It’s easy to let it in. Then without warning, it sets up camp in your mind and it feels impossible to evict it. Dealing with fear requires practice. There’s never going to be a time that we don’t experience fear. It’s what we do in the face of it that matters. In my life, fear can be a moment by moment experience. In the past, it’s been easy to lose my whole day to fear and anxiety. Now, I take it one step at a time. Some days are more difficult…
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Tips for Having FUN at Home
Some or most of us are pretty much stuck at home during this coronavirus pandemic. It’s important not to let yourself wallow in the fear and anger that has come about with being stuck. Most people are not aware of what it is like to have to spend extended periods of time in the house. For those of us with chronic illness, we often have to spend extended periods of time in the house. Either way, it’s a good idea to keep your mind occupied and stimulated. Here are my best ideas for staying busy and HAVING FUN while at home. Play Games If you have others around your house,…
