It has been ages since I posted. Since march I have been either stupidly busy, fatigued or dealing with ill-health both related to my tumor or my immuno-suppression, and setting up new specialists. I'm finally back to semi-regular posting with my fiction blog. I'm finally sort-of settled into my new living situation. I've been spending lot's of time with old friends, family and a pair of adorable doggies of whom I've been playing surrogate mother too. Time really dose flow to it's own beat, as before I had even realized it, August had arrived.
I'm not a fan of August. Too many bad things happen around August. Every year I wonder what will happen this time. I'm hoping nothing because I've already had enough shit for one year. The 25th is around the corner. I've survived another year. Not yet 30 and I'm marking off years of life with the same sense of achievement usually held by those over 70.
The 28th - anniversary of my first Grand Mal. Oct 2nd - Anniversary of my awake craniotomy. Oct 7 - Anniversary of a bitch-slap I never deserved from life or from someone I cared about and trusted. It would be nice if it ended there. But life is not so kind. Then there's March... When we will be wishing that one of our own was still here.
We never know how much time we have left. There a things I no longer care about because I've learned there are things I'll never have. There are things I can't worry about because I can't affect the out come no matter what I do. Instead I choose to focus on what I can achieve, what I can do. Even when it seems insufficient to what life throws at me.
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Sunday 16 August 2015
Monday 26 January 2015
....zZzZZ
Thursday 15 January 2015
I have totally had enough...
Sooo quick recap - life fell apart after seizures lead to discovery of tumor in the left hemisphere of my brain. It has been removed and 3 months of recover later I'm trying to pick up the pieces. However, my work place seems intent on ,asking my health worse. My biggest concern for getting my life back together is the persistent, ongoing seizures. I have been trying so hard to get these under control. But given that tense emotional states, fatigue and cognitive/physical exertion all bring the seizures on, this a tough task.
Today I recieved a request from the local housing authority requesting my last three payslips (clearly to prove I am still only receiving sick pay). This is to be expected. But it was then that I realised that, in addition to forgetting to pay my sick pay in November, they had not sent me one payslip since September. If I can't prove what I am receiving then I will face, at the very least, a temporary suspension of my housing allowance. Since I am still unable to work the hours necessary to afford to live off wages this is actually quite stressful and anxiety inducing. But it is beginning to feel that that is all my current employers have done since the tumor was found; every spell of stress/anxiety leaves me with increased risk of a seizures. I do not know how much longer I can cope. -_-
Today I recieved a request from the local housing authority requesting my last three payslips (clearly to prove I am still only receiving sick pay). This is to be expected. But it was then that I realised that, in addition to forgetting to pay my sick pay in November, they had not sent me one payslip since September. If I can't prove what I am receiving then I will face, at the very least, a temporary suspension of my housing allowance. Since I am still unable to work the hours necessary to afford to live off wages this is actually quite stressful and anxiety inducing. But it is beginning to feel that that is all my current employers have done since the tumor was found; every spell of stress/anxiety leaves me with increased risk of a seizures. I do not know how much longer I can cope. -_-
Monday 14 May 2012
Coping with writer's block
The first thing that happens when I attempt to start work on an assignment or project is that my brain has a minor freeze as to how to go about writing it. Because of this I've had to come up with several techniques in order to combat writer's block.
1) Ease off the coffee. Contrary to common belief, caffeine does not help you get work done. Caffeine is a stimulant. To a degree it will make you brain work faster, however after a certain point it will actually over-stimulate you. This will mean you will be easily distracted from your task and fidget/pace incessantly. This is not a frame of mind in which anyone can work. This is why it is important to limit you caffeine intake.
2) Fruits, vegetables and seafood. It is incredibly important o have a healthy diet. A good diet will impact on your overall health. Better health will mean that you are better able to cope with long periods of study as you will be able to work longer with reduced exhaustion. Fish and vegetables contain several nutrients that are vital to the production of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. This will improve concentration and ability to use and retain information.
3) Water. Drinking plenty of water has many health benefits. I have devoted an entire article to this earlier. Water will improve concentration and will support the brain function. Goes without saying that this is incredibly important.
4) Exercise. It is important to have a health amount of exercise in your lifestyle. It also will stimulate your ability to think by increasing blood flow to the brain and encouraging the production of endorphins - neurochemicals important to brain function and reduction of stress.
If making these changes to your lifestyle doesn't help there are a few only solutions that might work.
5) Meditation. Clearing you mind and relaxing can sometimes remove the anxiety/stress that is stopping you from getting the words out that you need. Try some simple breathing exercises - get yourself into a comfortable position and focus on counting your breaths. Just breath. Alternatively, you can try visualisation exercises; pick a favourite scene and slowly build up details until you have the whole picture in your mind. Imagine yourself walking around the scene picking up objects and sensing them - touch smell ect. This will relax your body will building up your ability to focus.
6) Free writing. Open a notepad or word document and start writing. It doesn't matter what you write. In fact don't focus on what you are writing. Just let the words flow out. At some point, you will be hit by inspiration and and begin to write on the topic you were blocked on in the first place.
7) Structured questions. If you already have a good idea of what you want to say but are having trouble getting this down on paper, begin asking yourself structured questions. Eg I need to introduce an an article for my assignment. I will ask myself questions like 'what is the article?', 'Who was it written by?', 'When was it written?', 'What is it about?', 'What do I need to do with it?' ect. This can be adapted for writing scenes for novels. Ask yourselves questions like 'What is going on in the scene?', 'Where is it set?', 'Who is in this scene?', 'How are the dressed?' ect. After you have devised and answered these question you will have enough information to write this into a paragraph/chapter.
1) Ease off the coffee. Contrary to common belief, caffeine does not help you get work done. Caffeine is a stimulant. To a degree it will make you brain work faster, however after a certain point it will actually over-stimulate you. This will mean you will be easily distracted from your task and fidget/pace incessantly. This is not a frame of mind in which anyone can work. This is why it is important to limit you caffeine intake.
2) Fruits, vegetables and seafood. It is incredibly important o have a healthy diet. A good diet will impact on your overall health. Better health will mean that you are better able to cope with long periods of study as you will be able to work longer with reduced exhaustion. Fish and vegetables contain several nutrients that are vital to the production of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. This will improve concentration and ability to use and retain information.
3) Water. Drinking plenty of water has many health benefits. I have devoted an entire article to this earlier. Water will improve concentration and will support the brain function. Goes without saying that this is incredibly important.
4) Exercise. It is important to have a health amount of exercise in your lifestyle. It also will stimulate your ability to think by increasing blood flow to the brain and encouraging the production of endorphins - neurochemicals important to brain function and reduction of stress.
If making these changes to your lifestyle doesn't help there are a few only solutions that might work.
5) Meditation. Clearing you mind and relaxing can sometimes remove the anxiety/stress that is stopping you from getting the words out that you need. Try some simple breathing exercises - get yourself into a comfortable position and focus on counting your breaths. Just breath. Alternatively, you can try visualisation exercises; pick a favourite scene and slowly build up details until you have the whole picture in your mind. Imagine yourself walking around the scene picking up objects and sensing them - touch smell ect. This will relax your body will building up your ability to focus.
6) Free writing. Open a notepad or word document and start writing. It doesn't matter what you write. In fact don't focus on what you are writing. Just let the words flow out. At some point, you will be hit by inspiration and and begin to write on the topic you were blocked on in the first place.
7) Structured questions. If you already have a good idea of what you want to say but are having trouble getting this down on paper, begin asking yourself structured questions. Eg I need to introduce an an article for my assignment. I will ask myself questions like 'what is the article?', 'Who was it written by?', 'When was it written?', 'What is it about?', 'What do I need to do with it?' ect. This can be adapted for writing scenes for novels. Ask yourselves questions like 'What is going on in the scene?', 'Where is it set?', 'Who is in this scene?', 'How are the dressed?' ect. After you have devised and answered these question you will have enough information to write this into a paragraph/chapter.
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