Gentle reminder to all my fellow spoonies today: if you need to eat different food than everyone else due to food allergies, sensory sensitivities, or any other reasons, do it. If you need to eat at a different time than everyone else to take medicine, prevent yourself from getting low blood sugar, or any other reason, do it. If you need to take a break or leave, do it. Remember to take care of yourself y'all.
While record keeping has benefits, it is not necessary or required to progress in your path. While low-spoons record keeping is right for some, please do not feel pressured that you “should” be able to keep records. It is still a burden and a time and energy consuming task, even if you have found ways to simplify it.
Fact: Writing down a spell or exercise each time you do it is the worst.
Fact: Casting lots of different spells introduces lots of different variables and makes it all the more difficult to track progress and see what works for you.
Fact: Fix both of these problems at once by writing down one spell or exercise and just annotating the page with the date every time you perform it.
Examples:
> Spell/exercise written in shorthand. If I already know how to seal a spell, if I already know how to do a saltwater cleansing, I don’t need to explain that to myself every time I write down the spell.
> Symbols let me quickly reference aspects of the spell.
>No optional steps. I think ahead and really consider what I’m willing to do every time I cast the spell. The more variables and inconsistencies I allow, the harder it will be for me to know what is really working and what really isn’t.
Now, each time I perform the spell, I’m going to follow those steps exactly.
This eliminates the need to take notes when I actually cast the spell.
This keeps my practice consistent.
This lets me know if the spell, as I have written it, actually works for me or not.
I write down the date every time I perform the spell/exercise.
> All I do is add the date.
If the spell/exercise delivers the expected results, I add a second notation to indicate that I achieved manifestation.
> For spells that manifest days or weeks later, I strive to mark down the exact date I noticed manifestation, even in hindsight.
> I might add symbols to indicate the date of manifestation is approximate.
> For an energy work or “instant magic” exercise, I might mark down how many hours or minutes it took before I noticed results.
> For an energy work or instant magic exercise, I might simply make a check mark (especially if I am updating records after the fact and only remember that it worked, but not exactly when)
Tracking Progress:
> By looking at how often I add a second notation, I can see at a glance if I am making progress or not.
> I can see that as I practice this candle spell over the months, manifestation becomes more consistent, and days to manifestation get shorter.
> I can see that I am not getting better at this energy exercise as time goes on.
As I work with one technique over a period of time, I will likely notice things about it that weren’t apparent to me at the beginning. I may choose to add notes.
> These notes will help me decide how to build/adjust the next techniques I work on.
To practice general ritual formats, extra notes may be helpful to track success with intents and correspondences.
Let us imagine for example that I have chosen to experiment with basil, chamomile, and rosemary. I’m only using those three herbs right now no matter what spell I cast.
To keep track of this, I need to add a few extra notes, but I can still keep them to a minimum:
(I apologize for the unlined visual clutter, hell if I know where my nice dotted paper went).
> Now, looking back, I can see that chamomile doesn’t work for me when I want to banish, and basil doesn’t work for me when I want money; but if I swap their roles, success seems likely.
> If I am consistent with my technique, I don’t need to write everything down. If my statements of intent are always present-tense simple sentences, like “I have cash now,” or “I fall asleep quickly,” I don’t need to write down the exact wording.
The time may come when you’re done with a specific technique.
Noting down an “exit interview” may be helpful so you remember what happened or why you’re moving on.
Apparently only 10 images allowed per post ^-^;
If you’re done with a technique, consider writing why in the remaining blank space.
“2/20/22: Stopped practicing, waste of time,” is a very helpful note for me. Yes, I will forget why I stopped and question going back to it in the future.
“8/8/20: Updated spell to include spirit offering, see ‘Candle Spell Spirit Honoring’,” is useful for me, because it creates a link in the narrative. Two years from now, I will have forgotten why I stopped using this specific spell. “I updated my technique and I’m trying something new, look for a page with this label” is going to keep me on track in the future.
Summary
By writing down a specific technique and practicing it over and over, you not only give yourself the benefit of consistent practice with limited variables, but you significantly reduce the burden of updating your records each time you practice.
While this technique can be expanded to add extra notes for each iteration, at its core, only the date is required to mark down when practice occurred. Everything after that, including whether or not to track manifestations, is optional.
For starters, I’ve been having issues with my heart rate for over a year now. In the past, I’ve had problems with pericardial effusion and pleurisy a few times. My heart has almost failed twice within the past two years. I can’t remember exactly when, but I’ll say around…April of 2021? Is when my heart rate issues became worse. My resting heart rate is 76 - 88; usually, this is when I’m lying down or sitting for more than 20 minutes. When I sit up completely, my heart rate will go to 110 - 125 or 136. When I stand, it goes to the 140s or 160s. After showering, my heart rate hits 180 - 191. So far, the highest heart rate I’ve had is 198. My symptoms for the past few months has been stomach pain, brain fog, nausea, vomiting, headaches/migraines, dizziness, lightheadedness, random blurry vision that’ll last for up to 10 - 20 minutes, chest pain, shortness of breath, skin sensitivity, painful red patches on arms, leg swelling, painful/uncomfortable bloating, weakness, fatigue, a few fainting spells, and much more but I can’t remember them all at the moment. My current diagnoses are Lupus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis, TMJ, and Raynaud’s syndrome.
Is anyone going through this or has gone through this? If so, what tests were run or recommended? Did you get a diagnosis?
I really need to know. I’ve been dealing with this for so long now. It’s interfering with my day-to-day life and daily activities. I can’t even talk or laugh without my heart rate going up to 126. The lightheadedness and dizzy spells are happening daily, and I’m afraid that I’ll pass out. The stomach issues I’ve been having have made it difficult and painful to eat and drink. It feels like my stomach is on fire 24/7 and being ripped open every once in a while. My doctors think I could have another possible autoimmune disease, either fibromyalgia or a connective tissue disorder (I dislocate almost daily). I’m not trying to self-diagnose myself, but I’ve been wondering if POTS could be another possible diagnosis? From what I’ve been able to research, the symptoms I’ve been experiencing are pretty similar, but I know Lupus can be the cause behind a lot as well. I also know that Lupus can be the cause of POTS. I just want to find out as much as I can to bring some things up to my doctors since they’re just as confused as I am, haha. I’m tired of dealing with this and need relief.
I am in so much pain today. My mental health is taking a hit too. I have no one to vent to since I’m the “therapist” or “sunshine energy” friend, and no one wants to hear about my issues. They’ve shown me that… I feel alone at the moment. I try so hard to keep up my bubbly and optimistic persona, but it’s hard today… it’s hard to smile genuinely. It’s hard even to think that this will get better. I’ve been in a full-blown lupus flare for two years, which has caused my health to decline rapidly. I’m a very independent person, so losing my independence slowly is fucking with me. I’m on the verge of a breakdown. I just want the pain the stop…I want to stop feeling so tired and weak…I just want it all to stop.
I like to have this saved in my phone so I can show friends, family, or random people who are curious to understand the spoon theory and for them to get a better understanding of what we have to do/think about every day.
Sometimes we hear stories about the really crazy things docs say to people. We thought we would share some of these, and ask you for yours. Because sometimes all you can do is shake your head and laugh…. And then find a new doctor! ~~
“You can’t have AS because in all my years practicing, I’ve never diagnosed anyone with AS.” “My Mom is having a bad time right now. I asked her Dr. If it could be AS. He said she doesn’t have the bamboo back so she doesn’t have AS.” - (posted on our page just today) OBGYN: “Obviously I can’t have anyone in my practice with spondylitis….” Rheum to just diagnosed patient: “You have AS. There is nothing you can do except take medication and accept that it will probably get worse.” “Doctor: You have pink-eye. Me: It doesn’t feel like pink-eye, it feels like someone is stabbing my eye with a hat pin. Doctor: it’s pink eye - I know what I’m talking about, I’m a doctor. (Hint: it wasn’t pink eye - anyone with AS knows what it was)” #Truestory
“My name is Wendy Krulee and I have Ankylosing Spondilitis (AS)….I blaze the trail for others by learning as much as I can about my disease and by spreading awareness. I will “kick that door in” as Cookie would say and I will kick all the shit off my bucket list when/while I can. I will NOT let this disease rule me. It is not who I am, it is just a portion of me that makes up the whole, good and bad.”
PSA to all AS Warriors to remember what their fellow AS warrior Jamie Coman said—>
“I have had ankylosing spondylitis for 15 years, along with a few other diseases. People often say I don’t look sick, or you’re too young to have that many things wrong with you. My name is Jamie Coman, and I’m a rock star!”
Get your #salty dysautonomia awareness shirt in time for Dysautonomia Awareness Month next month! Available as t-shirts, v-necks, crewneck sweatshirts, and youth t-shirts in various colors and sizes! Only available for 3 more days!
I was recently yelled at by a man driving by as I was walking into a Starbucks after parking in a handicap spot. “Liar! Liar!” My first thought was “you weenie come back and say that to my face!” Then the shame set in. For awhile I felt guilty of…something. I know I’m sick but I know I don’t look sick, so maybe I don’t deserve my placard? It’s confusing and I understand. But then I reminded myself that 96% of chronic illnesses are invisible. Just because I look fine doesn’t mean my illness goes away or isn’t serious enough to be disabling. It’s not me that’s somehow confusing or misleading, it’s society and our expectations and stereotypes. Sick doesn’t have a look and neither does disabled. This idea that to be valid your illness or disability must be visible is ludicrous when you learn how many people are suffering from something unseen. Society needs a major reform in many ways, but especially with respect to its treatment and expectations of chronically ill and disabled people. What we really need is to just stop being so dang judgmental in general! Was it ever any of his business where I parked or if I “deserved” my license plate? No sir! All that I ask of people at this point isn’t even kindness, just neutrality or even indifference! Let me be! Can I just get my chai in peace?!
I’m in the hospital and the guy in the doom next to me is an old man who is clearly suffering dementia (or something) and is Russian. He spends most of his day standing in the hall, speaking and talking in Russian to whatever poor staff is stuck working the phones at the desk right in front of our room. He’s fairly good natured but DAYUM does it get old eventually. It’s also unclear how much English he speaks or understands.
Mostly he’s left patients alone, but he just looked into my room and he said “ma’am, ma’am, ma’am” until I looked at him until I looked at him and said “Yes Boris?”
And he goes “Smile!”
Even demented old men in the hospital want to tell me to smile! Also, I know that in Russia smiling for now reason is seen as a sign that maybe you’re not as smart (at least according to my cousin’s wife who is from Russia and was explaining to us once why Russians always look so serious).
Mai even though Boris (that’s legit his name!) actually is kind of funny, I looked him dead in the eyes and said “No Boris, I do not want to smile.” He legitimately looked a little taken aback but then was like “okay” and went off to keep looking for a nurse who may or may not exist named Katia.
I realize I should probably just be nicer to the poor, confused, probably lonely man in the hospital but honestly….
I swear to god I have collected some of the funniest hospital roommate/other patient stories in the world (and some not so funny ones).
Anyone else want to help entertain me while I’m here by telling me YOUR funniest hospital stories? Because honestly I’m getting pretty bored and I think I’ve watched almost every documentary Netflix even HAS!
