134: What Chronic Illness Actually Is (and Isn't)
Life in Align podcast
In this episode, I'm going back to basics and defining what chronic illness really means – because there's a lot of rubbish out there about what having a chronic condition means for your life. What it IS: • Any health condition lasting longer than 3 months that typically can't be completely cured • Includes ME, diabetes, fibromyalgia, MS, IBD, endometriosis – and yes, anxiety disorders too • Means managing something ongoing, with some days harder than others • Affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially What it ISN'T: • A full stop on your life or...
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133 - Body image and chronic illness: rejecting new year pressure
Life in Align podcast
New Year, New Pressure? Let's Talk About Body Image & Chronic Illness We're in that strange space between Christmas and New Year, and the "New Year, New You" messages are everywhere. But here's what I want you to know: you don't owe anyone a body transformation. When you're living with chronic illness, your relationship with your body is already complex. Your body might cause pain, limit what you can do, or change in ways you didn't choose. And then society starts shouting about how you should be "improving" this body that already feels difficult enough to inhabit. Here's the...
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132 - 7 signs you're a more resilient spoonie than you think
Life in Align podcast
You're probably far more resilient than you give yourself credit for. Even on the days when you feel vulnerable, when your body isn't cooperating, when you're exhausted from simply existing—you're building strength in ways that aren't always obvious. 7 quiet signs you're building resilience: ✨ You learn from setbacks instead of seeing them as failures ✨ You deeply understand yourself and your body ✨You've built a support network and ask for help ✨ You adapt to constant change with flexibility ✨ You prioritise self-care without guilt ✨ You cultivate genuine gratitude (not...
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131 - how to keep your home clean and clear when your body says no
Life in Align podcast
Living with chronic pain or illness? Everyday tasks like cleaning can feel overwhelming – but it doesn't have to be all or nothing. In today's episode, I'm sharing practical strategies I've learnt over 15 years of managing chronic illness whilst maintaining my home: ✨ Adaptive pacing – stop before you crash ✨ Prioritise high-use spaces that support your wellbeing ✨ Schedule rest breaks before, during & after ✨ Focus on quick wins, not perfection ✨ Make it enjoyable with music or podcasts Remember: You don't have to clean an entire room in one go. Small progress is still...
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130 - Staying motivated with chronic illness: finding what works when your body fights back
Life in Align podcast
Staying motivated with chronic illness isn't about overcoming laziness – it's about working with a body that doesn't cooperate, energy that's rationed, and pain that rewrites plans daily. In today's podcast episode, I share what actually helps me stay on track: ✨ Start with one thought ✨ Do the right thing first ✨ Small movements matter ✨ Keep it simple ✨ Listen to YOUR body Living with chronic illness means some days, doing your best looks like simply getting through the day. Other days, it's achieving small wins. And that's...
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129 - Living with chronic illness: finding purpose in the present
Life in Align podcast
Living with chronic illness can feel like you're stuck in a perpetual waiting room – waiting for better health, a diagnosis, or for life to feel "normal" again. But what if we reframed this time? ✨ In today's podcast episode, I'm talking about finding purpose in the present and cultivating meaning during this challenging chapter. Here's what we explore: - Staying connected (even when it's hard) - Prioritising self-care that actually works for your body - Embracing adapted independence within your abilities - Cultivating self-awareness and emotional intelligence Remember: living with...
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128 - Practising gratitude when living with chronic illness
Life in Align podcast
"Both can be true: life can be difficult, and there can still be things worth celebrating." This is something I've had to learn over and over again whilst living with chronic illness. Gratitude doesn't mean ignoring our pain or pretending everything is fine. It's not about toxic positivity or telling ourselves "at least it's not worse." It's about creating space to notice what remains good and meaningful alongside everything that's difficult. When you're chronically ill, it's natural to focus on losses—the activities you can no longer do, the spontaneity that's been replaced by...
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127 - Finding body confidence when living with chronic illness
Life in Align podcast
In my latest podcast episode, I'm talking about something that's been on my mind a lot lately—body confidence when you're chronically ill. When your body feels unpredictable and limits what you can do, how are you supposed to feel confident in it? I talk about how: ✨ To stop comparing yourself to others or who you used to be. ✨ To change your self-talk. ✨ To listen to your body as a partner, not an enemy. ✨ You don't need validation from others. ✨ To let go of who you were. Real confidence doesn't come from your body working...
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126 - How to re-think your problems
Life in Align podcast
What if you actually don't have any problems? 🤔 Years ago, my consultant said something that completely shifted my perspective: "You don't have any problems." I thought he was nuts. I had a massive list of problems – health challenges, difficult relationships, overwhelming responsibilities. But he was right.... What I actually had were unmade decisions. A problem is anything we make ourselves miserable over until we make a decision. So the real question is: What am I avoiding, and what decision am I willing to make right now? This reframing changed everything. It gave me back...
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125 - 6 reasons you need to prioritise intentional rest
Life in Align podcast
You don't earn rest. Nearly 3 in 5 of us are mentally and emotionally exhausted. The weekend isn't a prize for surviving the week—and collapsing on the sofa isn't the same as truly resting. In this week's episode, I'm talking about intentional rest and psychological detachment—the kind of rest that actually restores you. The truth? No one is going to clear time for you. Work won't tell you to rest (unless it's "take two days then come back better than ever"). Your health, relationships, and productivity depend on intentional rest.
info_outlineDecluttering a home can be difficult, especially if you have years’ worth of memories stored up. Equally, a lot of those memories could also be causing you stress.
Mindfulness has been proven to be an essential practice in managing stress, lowering blood pressure and helping to increase focus.
If you think about how much information you take through your eyes for your brain to process, the more stuff you have around you the harder your brain has to work, increasing fatigue, and making you feel like you have a million more things to do because you’re constantly shoulding on yourself by saying I should load the dishwasher, I should do the washing, to I should tidy that drawer, I should put those things away etc etc.
So what is the connection between decluttering and mindfulness and self-love?