Home

by The Reluctant SpoonieMarch 22, 2018

Like this:

Like Loading...

Out now

My debut ebook ‘The Reluctant Spoonie’s Guide to Living with POTS‘ is out now and contains all the tips and tricks you need to live well with POTS. Get it on Amazon Kindle here

Read a full review here by Claire from Through The Fibro Fog

Latest YouTube Videos

Follow Blog

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Editor

Katherine set up The Reluctant Spoonie in 2017 as a resource for those newly diagnosed with a chronic condition. After developing POTS in 2015, Katherine struggled to find blog posts that accurately depicted what she was going through, so she decided to write her own. Starting out with an Instagram and being accepted as writer for The Mighty, Katherine found that she had a lot to say on the topic of living with a chronic illness which is when The Reluctant Spoonie was born. Katherine is passionate about raising awareness of chronic illness and improving the lives of those who live with chronic illnesses. Read her full POTS story here.

Support Our Work

You can support us by ‘buying us a coffee‘ through our Ko-Fi, by visiting our Etsy shop , or by sharing any of our posts or following us on social media ❤

Instagram

HOW I GAVE UP ALCOHOL⁠ ⁠ It sounds silly to say, but giving up alcohol was one of the hardest things that I had to do because of my illness. It took me several tries to become completely alcohol-free. Last year, I started a new medication which couldn't be mixed with alcohol, so I reluctantly embarked on my new tee-total life. I have now been completely alcohol-free for six months 🍾 ⁠ Here are my 3 top tips for giving up alcohol altogether:⁠ ⁠ 1. Wean off slowly⁠ I've tried going cold turkey several times over the past few years and it didn't stick. First, I stopped buying alcohol with my weekly shop and then I stopped having alcoholic drinks at social events. ⁠ ⁠ 2. Find a non-alcoholic drink that you love⁠ The hardest part about giving up alcohol for me was that there were very few options for me to drink when I was out. Most bars and restaurants have very limited soft drink menus for adults. I usually gravitate towards elderflower spritzer or iced tea as they seem more grown-up than apple juice. ⁠ ⁠ 3. Ignore the haters⁠ There will be people that you encounter at social events who will be offended by the fact that you don't drink. They may even tell you that you have an awful life (true story). My advice is that you just ignore them.⁠ ⁠ Have you had to give something up because of your illness? What are your tips for someone new to the tee-total life? ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ -----⁠ #sober #soberlife #sobriety #recovery #soberliving #alcoholfree #addiction #soberaf #soberissexy #soberlifestyle #cleanandsober #sobersisters #sobriety #soberaf #soberliving #soberjourney #alcoholfree #sobercurious #empower #soberauthor #transformation #teetotal #teetotallyawesome #blog #lifestyleblogger #ukblogger #ukblog #potssyndrome #spoonielife #butyoudontlooksick⁠

Are you currently looking for a new activity to take your mind off things? Check out my creative writing prompts for writing about chronic illness and disability. I've covered several genres including horror, sci-fi and young adult romance (who doesn't love a meet-cute?) 😍 I would love to read what you come up with for each one and maybe publish them in my new fiction section. Link in bio to full post ❤️ Let me know which one is your favourite 👇 ------- #stayathome #stayhome #creativewriting #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #spoonievillagecreatives #spooniestrong #invisibledisability #yafiction #meetcute #chronicillness #butyoudontlooksick #fantasy #horror #writersofinstagram #chronicwarrior #zebrastrong #writing #spooniestrong #pots #spooniesupport #ya #youngadultbooks #writingprompts #writingprompt #scifi #disability #disabilitylife #hiddenillness #love #alttext

I made these Animal Crossing Villagers to satisfy my craving whilst I waited for the release of New Horizons. Aren't they cute? 🥰 Find out how I made these villagers in my latest blog post 💕 I am also offering custom villagers through my Etsy shop for a limited time. The first three orders will also receive a free leaf charm 🌿 Find out more through the link in my bio ✨ ----- #crochet #handmade #crochetersofinstagram #crocheting #crochetaddict #crochetlove #instacrochet #crochetlover #handmadewithlove #crochetinspiration #keln #love #makersgonnamake #crocheter #craft #yarnlove #amigurumi #madewithlove #amigurumilove #lovecrochet #crocheteveryday #etsyshop #crochetgirlgang #etsyseller #wool #etsy #animalcrossing #newhorizons #etsyseller #disabledmaker #spoonie

USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT AS A SPOONIE⁠ ⁠ I don't have a car which strikes a lot of people as odd as I do have a driving licence and used to drive. They ask me how I get around and I say that I just use the bus or tram. Living in a city where I have good transport links, why would I get a car? I live in one of the most polluted cities in Europe and I don't want to add to the emissions for no reason. ⁠ ⁠ However, sometimes I do think that my life would be a lot easier if I got a car. If I use public transport at peak times, then I often won't get a seat and even though I have one of these 'hidden disability' badges, no one has ever offered me a seat. Some people even dare to ask me to move, even though I am wearing this badge! Personally, I do not like the advertising campaign that goes with this badge. The posters are not eye-catching and do not represent the wide variety of illnesses that require you to need a seat. ⁠ ⁠ What is public transport like where you live? Is it easy for you to get around without using a car? ⁠ ⁠ If you have a chronic illness/ disability and are interested in sustainable living and environmental issues, please consider joining my new Facebook discussion group. This is a safe space to discuss all things sustainable living and topical issues regarding climate change without fear of discrimination. Link in bio if you would like to join 🌳⁠ ------⁠ #hiddenillness #chronicpain #chronicillness #health #tfl #londonunderground #invisibleillness #chronicillness #spoonie #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #invisibleillnessawareness #chronicillnessawareness #fatigue #publictransport #msrtc #bus #tram #transport #gogreen #earth #climateemergency #savetheearth #future #saveourplanet #disability #disabilityawareness #wheelchair #disabled #inclusion

I have recently revised the pricing in my Etsy shop, including these popular happy little stars 🌟⁠ ⁠ I am now offering free handwritten notes with every order, including gift orders.⁠ ⁠ Send a Happy Little Star to let someone know that you're thinking of them during this trying time. ⁠ ⁠ Custom colours available, please message beforehand so that I can check my stock/ supplies. ⁠ ⁠ Link in bio to my Etsy store ❤⁠ ⁠ ----------⁠ ⁠ #crochet #handmade #crochetersofinstagram #knitting #amigurumi #crocheting #crochetaddict #yarn #crochetlove #instacrochet #madewithlove #crochetgirlgang #lovecrochet #spoonievillagecreatives #crochetofinstagram #spooniestrong #chronicdisease #spoonieproblems #spooniesupport #spooniecommunity #disabilitylife #hiddenillness #tiredgirls #spoonieblogger #spoonie #etsy #etsyshop #etsyseller #handmade #etsysellersofinstagram

POTS Q+A⁠ ⁠ In my latest YouTube video, I'm answering the top 5 questions that I get asked about living with POTS. ⁠ ⁠ 1. What is POTS?⁠ 2. How do I deal with POTS? ⁠ 3. How do I get a referral to a POTS specialist? ⁠ 4. Is there a diet for POTS? ⁠ 5. How do I stay hydrated with POTS? ⁠ ⁠ Side note: I'm no longer answering questions about my personal POTS treatments including IV saline for POTS as these are discussions that you should have with your doctor. ⁠ ⁠ For lifestyle tips about living well with POTS, check out my 'Guide to Living with POTS'. Link in bio ❤⁠ ⁠ ⁠ -------⁠ #dysautonomia #chronicillness #spoonie #pots #chronicpain #invisibleillness #ehlersdanlossyndrome #eds #chronicfatigue #posturalorthostatictachycardiasyndrome #potsie #ehlersdanlos #tachycardia #spooniewarrior #crps #edsawareness #spooniestrong #butyoudontlooksick #spoonieyoutuber #spoonie #chronicillness #chronicpain #invisibleillness #spoonielife #disabled #myalgicencephalomyelitis #invisibleillnessawareness #spooniesupport #spoonieproblems #chronicillnessawareness⁠

I recently started reading for fun again after not being able to for so long due to my illness. Unfortunately, I have been struggling to find characters that I connect with i.e. characters with a chronic illness. There are very few fiction books out there with characters with a chronic illness or disability. A lot of books explore mental health themes such as 'The Catcher in the Rye' and 'The Bell Jar', but not themes of long term illness. The only books that spring to mind are cancer themed such as 'The Fault in Our Stars' and 'Before I Die' where the main characters have a terminal illness which, of course, is very different to chronic illness. ⁠ ⁠ To fill this much-needed gap, I am currently taking submissions for my new fiction section on my blog 📖 Your piece must include at least one character with a chronic illness or disability. I am currently accepting the following submissions in any genre:⁠ ⁠ 1. Short stories⁠ 2. Novel chapters⁠ 3. Poems⁠ 4. Screenplays⁠ ⁠ Please keep your submissions below 5,000 words and visit the 'contribute' page on my blog for submission instructions. Link in bio ⁠💕 ⁠ Please, DM or email me if you have any questions regarding my new fiction section. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ -----⁠ #fiction #bookstagram #books #novel #book #bookworm #reading #literature #writing #read #fantasy #booknerd #bookaddict #goodreads #booklove #bookclub #bookreview #creativewriting #writersofinstagram #poetry #writing #writingcommunity #writer #writerscommunity #chronicillness #invisibledisability #authorsofinstagram #literature #write #poetryofinstagram

WHAT I LEARNED DURING MY FIRST YEAR WITH POTS⁠ ⁠ In this new series of blog posts, I chronicle the past five years of my life with POTS. This post covers my first year with POTS including the initial onset of my symptoms and my battle to get a referral to a specialist. ⁠ ⁠ This post comes with a trigger warning for medical trauma and negligence. Read with care 💛 ⁠ Link in bio to the full post ♥️⁠ ⁠ ------ Find out more about how to live well with POTS in my Guide to Living with POTS - out now ⁠ ------⁠ #posturalorthostatictachycardiasyndrome #ehlersdanlos #chronicfatigue #fibromyalgia #chronicpainwarrior #dysautonomiaawareness #butyoudontlooksick #crps #tachycardia #chronicillnesswarrior #chronicmigraine #youdontlooksick #blogpost #blogger #blog #health #fitness #wellness #healthy #healthylifestyle #booklaunch #author #books #bookstagram #publishing #amazon #potssyndrome #disabilityawareness #invisibledisability #spoonies

My debut ebook 'The Reluctant Spoonie's Guide to Living with POTS' is out now on Amazon. This book contains lifestyle tips for living with POTS in one handy place so you no longer have to spend hours searching for answers to questions like 'is there a diet for POTS?' and 'what are the best mobility aids for POTS?'⁠ ⁠ This book also contains three stories from real people with POTS in addition to a Q+A about medical alert dogs for POTS. ⁠ ⁠ A big thank you to all who have contributed to the production of this book 💕 Especially @invisibly_fragile_ for designing the cover and contributors @complicatedpatient @dotwithpots @thesophieproject_ @chronically.sunny @hero.dog.henry⁠ ⁠ All sales from this book will go towards the running costs of my blog and other advocacy projects. ⁠ ⁠ Get it now on Amazon Kindle. Link in bio ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ------⁠ #kindle #ebooks #book #pots #dysautonomia #kindleunlimited #spoonie #chronicillness #chronicpain #invisibleillness #spoonielife #spoonies #spooniewarrior #spooniesupport #graphics #illustration #digitalart #author #writerscommunity #selfpublish #selfpublishing #chronicpain #invisibleillness #ehlersdanlossyndrome #butyoudontlooksick #invisibleillness #disability #babewithamobilityaid #spoonie #worldbookday2020

Memberships

Disclaimer

I do not have a medical degree and this blog is for your information only and outlines my own personal experiences living with a chronic illness. Your own experiences/ illness will be different to mine. Any radical lifestyle changes such as a new exercise programme or diet should be discussed with your doctor first.

Awards

Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Facebook

%d bloggers like this:

Home

Share this:

Like this: