Simple, loving gestures can really brighten a person’s day. It can make any person’s day, really. I cannot think of a single negative reason to pass up the chance to offer up a few simple acts of kindness to others. It is with this generosity that we can each express…
As children, most of us were given a bedtime. As we got older, our parents would adjust some restrictions to let us stay up later while our younger siblings had to go to bed earlier. It seemed that somehow, our parents knew that the younger ones needed more sleep. They…
We can fall a victim to our routines sometimes. In the process of working hard and striving for our goals, we forget to make time for other things that matter to us. We wake up one day feeling less alive and uninspired. It’s therefore incredibly important to take a break…
Every day, we’re faced with many choices. What time do we get up? What time do we go to bed? What do we wear? Which route do we take to go to the shops? When do we eat? And on, and on… We start learning to make choices at a…
Here in the United States, we have heard for decades that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It was in the early 1900s that food manufacturing companies convinced doctors to promote breakfast. Foods such as cereal and bacon were marketed as breakfast foods. Since that time, breakfast…
The other night, I had a dream. I was being chased. I don’t know who was chasing me, I just know I was being chased. It seemed to go on forever, like chasing the end of a rainbow. I finally stopped running and turned around and asked, “Why are you…
Those of us with Lipedema have a particular set of things we do to take care of ourselves. These are things we perform for ourselves in order to remain healthy and happy and ensure our well-being. Especially this holiday season, we need to remember that self-care is essential. Have you…
This weekend as I walked through the living room, my daughter-in-law offered to help me organize my sewing center. I froze in my tracks! Panic and fear coursed through my body – my mouth went dry, and I got a lump in my throat – I quickly said, “No, thank…
Do you know how to fly? First, Love Yourself. (F–L-Y!) One of the first steps in self-love is selecting one or more “Non-Negotiable.” A non-negotiable is that which you do for yourself regularly and that which you will not let life keep you from. We all have them. A few…
I decided to write about dandelions this week because I’ve received a few of them as precious gifts from my granddaughters. It is spring. Children are fascinated by these bright yellow flowers. Moms, Grammas, and Aunties show their appreciation with oohs and ahhs, and by putting the dandelion bouquets which…
We each can explain how belonging to the Lipedema Community has improved our lives. We are living proof that there are several benefits to being part of an online ‘community’. It is very motivating, and thanks to technology, more and more people are turning towards online communities to help reach…
Recently I have been pondering the terms, ‘Self-care’ and ‘Self-caring.’ Do you think they are the same terms? Me too, or, at least, I used to. I was surprised to discover a notable difference between these two terms. Let’s try and understand that today. What is Self-Care? When thinking about…
One of the most wonderful things in this community is that we all support each other, stand with each other, and share a common bond. But do we do the same for ourselves? Do we even know how to stand up for ourselves? Advocating for oneself Self-advocacy can be extremely…
Due to COVID, we have spent a long time socially distancing and protecting ourselves and others. We have all become very used to wearing a mask in public. The masks we’ve been wearing and the distance we have been observing are literal masks and literal distance. Someday soon, hopefully, we…
If there is one thing that can be said about those of us with Lipedema, it is that we are tenacious. We are like pit bulls. We never give up! We have had to tough out finding medical professionals who will listen to us, family and friends not understanding our…
As a crafter, I often feel guilty for buying hooks, yarn, fabric, thread, patterns, craft books, and more. I feel like I have to justify each new project. If I don’t complete a project before starting a new one, I feel so much guilt that I will often hide it…
Do you ever just go there? To that place where you really are not overly excited for the day, but you also are not dreading it? Where you are just “bleh”? Skies are grey but not stormy? Too warm to build a fire in the fireplace and yet too cold…
My comedian friend works nightly in front of crowds at nightclubs to hone his craft. With Covid-19, he is now working the crowds on Zoom. (Aren’t we all?) He tells his performer friends to not sell themselves short. He encourages them to negotiate a price with the club managers. He…
There is so much information online about the best nutrition for lipedema, conservative treatment options, and other types of support. It can be overwhelming to weed through the advice, and we often end up more confused than when we started. What do we need? Where do we start? Where do…