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Sometimes, you have to ask yourself to dance (a few words on the suckiness of self-judgment)
It’s mid-afternoon, and I’ve got a roaring headache. My phone just crashed in the middle of an important call. My back is sore, and I’ve still got tons of work to do—but I can tell my body needs a nap. I crawl into bed, setting the alarm for an hour later…and lie there fitfully, unable to drift off to sleep. Eventually, I get up and grab a snack and a glass of water and sit down again at my desk. Now I’m even further behind than I was before, and I still feel unrested. I’m probably going to have to work well into the evening. Or: I can ask myself to dance. No judgment See, a friend of mine helps run a women’s dance group here in chicago called DDPP: Dance Dance Party Party. The group has three rules: no boys, no booze, no judgment. Twice a...
read more5 strategies for facing the upcoming holidays with chronic illness
I used to really dread making it through the winter holidays with chronic illness. And I do mean “making it through”—that was the best I could hope for, never mind actually enjoying them! It felt like I had to claw my way through them. All the ways the holidays can go poorly While it felt like everyone else breezed from party to party, I agonized about how to manage my limited diet when facing big, luscious buffets packed with things I knew would not feel good in my body. I watched in envy as friends wore cute, sparkly heels, while I crammed my pained feet into clunky boots that could accommodate the wool socks my Raynaud’s phenomenon-having tootsies demand. And I never felt like I had the energy I wanted as I socialized, and when I did, I would sometimes find myself without a lot to talk about. When you’ve...
read moreMy hero, on a step ladder (sometimes we just need a little validation)
Last week, I had a super-aggravating experience related to what my husband, Joe, and I jokingly refer to as one of my “fibro super powers.” But luckily, it ended in the kind of validation I think we all need. Every sound is so loud! Since I developed fibromyalgia 20 years ago, I have become extra-sensitive to everything—especially sound. I remember those first years post-diagnosis, when I would get frustrated about the sounds my neighbors made. I found myself plugging my ears every time an ambulance or fire truck went by, and started carrying ear plugs to wear whenever I traveled. And it’s not just the sound itself; the bass of loud music or trucks going by is also really tough on my system. And when you live in a huge city, it’s hard to escape. My amazing hearing is a terrible “super power” to have! But no one...
read moreSelf-love: Jenni chats with Mary from Uncustomary about a powerful practice
A few months ago, I stumbled across an Instagram account that was just irresistible. Mary is a strong, creative, energetic, authentic woman talking about the benefits (and challenges) of practicing self-love, and I adore her style. She offers resources at her website, Uncustomary, including blog posts, a podcast, a fun (and affordable!) membership service, a book, much more. We had a couple conversations and now, OMGOSH are we friends. I’ve written before about how we can rock our look as ChronicBabes; this babe rocks it Every. Dang. Day. Today, she’s hosting me over at her Uncustomary podcast, and I’m hosting another conversation here, too—because we both believe women with chronic illness deserve to love themselves deeply, no matter how sick they are. And have fun while they’re at it! Jenni: You’re all about the self-love and its impact on leading a happy life. What brought you to this work? Mary:...
read moreJoin me for a celebration – November 12 in Chicago
Now that ChronicBabe 101 is published, I have a little more breathing room—and I want to celebrate with you! I’m hosting a book party on Sunday, November 12 from 1-5pm in Chicago at TLR: The Living Room. The space is wheelchair accessible, and the party will be kid-friendly. We’ll have snacks and treats and drinks and music and free swag and book signings and… it will be a lot of fun! If you’re interested, please RSVP to the Facebook event. And please help me spread the word by sharing the event on your Facebook feed, inviting your friends, shouting from the rooftops—there will be room for all ChronicBabes and their loved ones at this...
read moreThe ChronicBabe book is now on sale
The ChronicBabe book—ChronicBabe 101: How to Craft an Incredible Life Beyond Illness—is on sale today! After a few years of work, I’m thrilled to offer the first-ever ChronicBabe book! Head to ChronicBabe101.com right now to buy a print copy or ebook, and grab all kinds of bonus materials, including: A discussion guide for book clubs A fun habit checklist A special bonus PDF about making friends with illness Full audio of all the “pep squad” expert interviews in the book 10 fun life lesson videos Swag like buttons, stickers, and wristbands …and more The ChronicBabe book is packed with resources for you I organized the book into 10 “lessons” that focus on some key areas for women with chronic illness: It all starts with learning to practice acceptance (Lesson 1) Learn to kick those bad habits to the curb (Lesson 2) It’s time to turn around negative thinking (Lesson 3)...
read moreJoin me and for a book release party September 25
I’m so lucky to announce that my friend Tami Stackelhouse, the Fibromyalgia Coach, is hosting a book release party for me on September 25, at 5pm ET, 4pm CT, 2pm PT. So fun! Join us as we talk about what it’s like to be ChronicBabes and creatives, and how together we’ve created three books—despite having chronic illness. It’s going to be a SUPER-FUN LIVE webinar and you’ll get to see inside the book, and hear all about all the fun things Tami and I do—including all the strategies we use to stay productive even on our worst days. We’ll talk about sexuality and chronic illness; enlisting the help of your “team”; managing your time and energy; and much more. Join us! Sign up TODAY so you can secure a spot for this exciting online launch party. I can’t wait to see you...
read moreIt’s a party: ChronicBabe 101 is out September 25
Friends, I am THRILLED to announce that my new book, ChronicBabe 101: How to Craft an Incredible Life Beyond Illness, comes out September 25. Woo hoo! To be the FIRST to know when it’s available for sale, sign up at ChronicBabe101.com – a website that will also be packed with resources to go along with the book. There’s so much goodness to share with you! There are 11 expert interviews with a collection of awesome folks I call my “Pep Squad.” There are tons of caregiver perspectives so we can be sure to understand what it’s like for them to love us. And the book is PACKED with practical advice, heartfelt encouragement, personal stories from my journey to becoming a ChronicBabe, and much, much more. There’s also fun swag! Starting September 25, when you go to ChronicBabe101.com, you’ll be able to order buttons, stickers, wristbands, and more so you...
read moreHow to respond when someone says “this is what you have to look forward to when you’re old”
Yesterday, I was relaxing in the hot tub at my gym. I had just completed an hour of strenuous water movement class, and my body was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME…so the hot tub was an essential relaxing moment. The usual gang of fellow classmates was there—women, like me, who take the class because it’s accessible despite physical limitations. What you need to know is, everyone else in the hot tub was a solid 20 years older than me. And that’s all good. We’re all in it together. (I mean, literally in it!) But yesterday, a woman I’ve never spoken with before turned away from a group conversation about chronic pain and illness and said to me: “This is what you have to look forward to when you’re old.” Sigh. I hate these conversations. I’m not sure what the goal is of someone who says that. Are they...
read moreThe ChronicBabe 101 book is almost here!
I’ve been away for a bit, and a few of you have checked in to see that I’m okay—thank you! I’m just fine (well, I’m exhausted, but happy.) The project I’ve worked on the past few years—ChronicBabe 101: How to Craft an Incredible Life Beyond Illness—is almost here! It’s going to be a big, beautiful book…with an accompanying website packed with audio, video, and downloadable resources like worksheets and a study guide. It’s gonna be SO good, y’all. Once the book is out, I’ll be back to my regular schedule of YouTube videos and other social media nonsense, and many more blog posts and guest interviews. (I have some really fun new projects coming soon, too!) Can’t do this alone I’ve been very lucky to have the support of so many people, including the nearly 600 individuals and organizations who supported the project as part of my Kickstarter. In...
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