So much for sleeping in… I got called out for a lost hiker at 3:30 am. They were found at 530 am and I got to see these views on the way home. #parkrangerlife #mttamalpais #mttam #mttamwatershed

@begonepots "YOU SEEM KIND OF DISTANT THESE DAYS." It's not emotional distance—it's energy depletion. Chronic illness doesn’t just take a toll on the body—it takes a toll on how someone connects. Fatigue, overstimulation, and pain often make simple things like texting back or making small talk feel overwhelming. People may seem distant, but it’s not because they’ve stopped caring—it’s because they’re trying to protect what little energy they have left. There’s a constant trade-off between rest and engagement, between survival and connection. They’re not pulling away—they’re just managing a body that doesn’t always give them the freedom to show up fully. It’s painful to feel misunderstood when what they really want is to be closer—but can’t. In My Shoes: Imagine caring deeply about people—but rarely having the capacity to show it. @begonepots

@begonepots

RobinReach

“There is often a huge sense of loss [with] #chronicillness… the loss of a career, loss of friends or social life. But the biggest loss is often who [we] once were. Many people no longer feel that they’re the same person. They grieve for that person.” https://buff.ly/kUOZ9CG #ChronicPain #Disability

Adaptive Trailcraft: The Urban Pivot Survival for the Sensory‑Sieged

Doesn't have to be some epic adventure. A gentle walk or roll in urban parks are a great too. Many are also designed with accessibility in mind.

stillrollingoutdoors.com/adaptive-tra...

#nature #connection #chronicIllness

Pale flax

Wild dandelion

Scarlet pimpernel

Narrow Leaf trefoil

#ChronicIllness and #pain starves the brain of #neurochemistry needed for #resilience. Getting outside helps push back, even when it's a slog.

#wildflower #mentalhealthmatters
#naturephotography

Finding Your Self Behind the Illness (Your Story Isn't Over Yet). Guest Post by: Callie Dixon of “River & Quill”

"My #ChronicIllness has taught me to reach beyond the physical body and tap into a #spiritual #awareness I had neglected before. I now know that I am part of something larger than “chocolate lover” or “coffee lover” or “pasta maker”.": buff.ly/47VZwki

#spoonie #identity

How — and Why — to Spend Time in Nature When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis Spending time outdoors can reduce stress and improve well-being, possibly lowering inflammation, when you have RA. These tips can help you find accessible activities.

Why Spending Time in Nature Is Important When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatic-co...

#HealthHacks Did you know? Crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming you down after a fight-or-flight response. Tears also contain stress hormones, meaning that when you cry, you are expelling those hormones from your body. It's OK to cry. Credit: The Mighty 👉 I cried every single day in 2025 for completely different reasons compared to 2026. I call it The Healing and hope with all heart I am coming out of grieving. #MySeveralWorlds #TraumaHealing #TraumaInformed

👉 I cried every single day in 2025 for completely different reasons compared to 2026. I call it The Healing and hope with all heart I am coming out of grieving.

#MySeveralWorlds #TraumaHealing #TraumaInformed
#HealthHacks

Credit: The Mighty

“#ChronicPain is still poorly understood, and most physicians aren’t trained in managing it clinically… Another concern is that the medical profession often fails to acknowledge the emotional aspects of pain or even the effects pain has on daily living.” https://cme.sh/6MbjMe #InvisibleIllness

Flare brain is real. 🌧️ The negative self-talk, the defeatist inner monologue, feeling like all your hard mental work just disappeared overnight — spoonies know this cycle all too well. This short hits close to home, and honestly? Just naming it might be the first step to breaking it.
buff.ly/JC5ZQgm

The wunderpus can mimic other sea creatures as a form of defence. They can change their shape, color, and skin texture in a split second to blend into their environment or scare away a predator.

#wildlifephotography #wildlife #naturephotography #nature #marinelife #komodo #eastcoastkin #photography

Blue-eyed grass in midday Sun

#BlueEyedGrass in Wildcat Canyon, Bonitas Gate Trail.

#eastbay #hiking #wildflower #bloom

Lupine in mid morning light clear sky

Trailside #Lupine in Wildcat Canyon, Belgum trail.

#eastbay #hiking #wildflower #bloomscrolling

Yesterday at Point Pinole. A little duck zen for your morning...

#bayarea #beach #wildlife

Mid trail puddle reflecting eucalyptus grove, random rain drops in puddle

Also from yesterday, enjoying mid trail puddle reflections of eucalyptus grove.

#eastbay #trail #naturephotography

Looking east fom Point Pinole

Went for an easy walk yesterday just after the rain let up. Rainbow way more impressive in person.

The Healing Industry Wasn’t Built for Bodies Like Ours What happens when you’ve tried everything — and the problem still isn’t you.

#GenX + Quiet = danger scan.

Nervous system response to "Live, Laugh, Love"?

Whatever.

The only repetition that matters?

The 400 days you reached for water and didn't get hit.

buff.ly/HKVxnPF

#TraumaInformed #ChronicIllness #FeralGeneration

For sure...

"What matter is context, because we need different tools to deal with different problems, for different periods in our life."

And this...

“Instead of seeing the distance to our goal, we need to pay attention to the fact that we are closing the gap.”

#ProjChronicWisdom: Secret Motivation Tips for When You’re Unmotivated. www . a chronic voice .com

"“When my #motivation is particularly low, I #accept it, let it go and trust that it will pick up again soon. As long as I don’t try to force it, it always does!” — Julie Holliday.": buff.ly/XEDFQ1c

#SelfCare #spoonie #ChronicIllness #DisabledPeople #motivation #depression #MentalHealth #community

“It’s in My Blood”: Shannon Giroux — Making a Better Home to Live in, Despite Multiple Sclerosis

" #MultipleSclerosis affects the brain & spinal cord & can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the #nerves. Whilst Shannon lives with #MS, her #creativity & passion for life can be seen with all the personalised touches around her #home!": buff.ly/I4IhHaG

#ChronicIllness #disability

Tara on Instagram: "Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí 24/4/26 ❤️ Pre Save in bio" 45 likes, 6 comments - taradignammusic13 on April 10, 2026: "Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí 24/4/26 ❤️ Pre Save in bio".

New song from my daughter.
Tara Dignam
“Mo chuisle mo chroí”
Out on April 24th.

Please like and share liberally!

www.instagram.com/reel/DW8vV_t...

skyepolk on threads probably - Being chronically ill DOESNT mean someone: didn't eat healthy enough didn't work out enough didn't take care of their mental health wasn't "positive" enough didn't get medical treatment STOP the victim blaming 👋 Chronic illness comes from a highly complex mix of genetics, environmental factors, trauma and more. Being chronically ill is not a personal failure.

Sometimes the worst part of a chronic illness isn't the pain. It's all the time that's lost.

Sometimes the worst part of a #ChronicIllness isn't the pain.

It's all the time that's lost.

#ChronicTruths #MySeveralWorlds

Salmon spawning in Lagunitas Creek last fall #salmon #lagunitascreek #mttamwatershed #wildlifephotography #naturephotography

We'd have better results if we offered everyone with an #addiction an individual assessment, evidence-based care, of an appropriate length, that also addressed other #MentalHealth disorders, housing, employment, and treatment for physical conditions. We don't do this but judge people as if we had.

“One of the truly best things about #writing is that all that is required is a passion and drive to create what lives in your heart. You don't need formal training to create a powerful #story.” ~ Joy D. Fanning #writingcommunity

Take good care! 💚

#inkmine #amwriting #writingcommunity #poetry #bskypoets #blueskypoetry #poetsofbluesky #chronicillness #promp #poetry #haiku

I found my safety
Shadows, surrounding darkness
Hanging #willow spray

Spoons for the Soul Adding the spring to my step.

For those of us with chronic illness, "slowing down" often feels more like a calculation than a choice. But what if we gave ourselves permission to choose? #spoonie #chronicillness #joy

open.substack.com/pub/thequiet...

Right there, that's it...

"A chance to listen to birdsong, or to watch a small group of hares gathering at the edge of the wood. Breathing in the shift in the air and remembering that I am part of the season, too."