Happy Birthday to the Blog!

My blog turns one year old today! I decided to take this opportunity to reflect on everything that’s happened this year. I’ve come such a long way in my recovery! I never imagined I’d be doing this well after only a year of mold avoidance. As a way to celebrate, I’ve compiled 10 of my favorite milestone posts.

1. I’m Not Helpless Anymore

This was the day I realized that my relationship to my illness had changed forever and that mold avoidance gave me a measure of power over it. I didn’t have to suffer blindly anymore.

2. A Birthday Hike!

This was the first time I went hiking since falling ill. It hurt and I had to take frequent breaks but I did it!

3. “Look Mother, I Can Run!”

This post is about that wonderful day when I discovered I could actually run. I could run! I could run, after 5 years of severe illness and hundreds of days confined to bed.

4. A Letter to My Body

Extreme sound sensitivity was one of my most debilitating symptoms. This post tells the story of how I was able to go to a loud restaurant and eat pizza. No panic attacks. No hives.

5. I Made Lunch

I was able to cook for the first time in years! On a camp stove to boot. 🙂

6. Relearning How to Drive

With Brett’s encouragement, I decided to try driving again. It was both thrilling and terrifying!

7. My First Day Without Any Meds

After years of debilitating pain and severe insomnia, I was able to get off off all of my medications.

8. We’re Moving In!

After only six months of mold avoidance we were able to move indoors for the winter. What a relief it was to have hot showers that pour out of the ceiling whenever we want!

9. I Didn’t Know I Could Heal From Chronic Illness

This is the story of my first workout since falling ill. Also known as… that time I thought I was participating in a gentle fitness class and it turned out to be hard-core aerobics. I still survived!

10. Good Times With Friends

This was one of my first experiences of feeling normal again (in spite of the respirator mask). I got to travel to Colorado just for the fun of seeing dear friends. Unlike previous visits I wasn’t confined to bed and my brain didn’t have trouble keeping up with conversation.

By the way, Brett and I made a beautiful PDF of my favorite resources for suffering souls. I created the content and he made it look fancy with his superduper graphic design skills. It’s available for free to my email subscribers. Click here to sign up and receive 5 Resources for the Suffering Soul.