Spring Cleaning for Your Spirit

I posted a new video, Spring Cleaning for Your Spirit, based on a chapter from my book, Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness, that is useful any time of year but feels particularly relevant in spring.

It's all about replacing negative feelings with healthier feelings: “Think of it as a mental health scrub: clearing out the old “dirt” in our minds, like resentment, envy, anger & loneliness, and replacing them with healthier feelings, like joy & connection.”

I don't approach this like a big, difficult project but propose small, practical tips for moving your life of chronic illness toward one that is healthier emotionally, since our mental health has a direct effect on our physical health. To be clear, this isn't "think positive and make yourself well" kind of crap, which I detest! It's small, simple steps that any of us can take each day to try to address those darker feelings and bring more joy and connection into our lives.

You can watch the 13-minute video on YouTube or I will include it below:

On a personal note, I haven't been posting much lately because I have been struggling with my own health. My usual "winter relapse" lasted into March this year, and after about a month of gradually feeling better, another surprise relapse hit me last week. I usually do quite well in spring and summer--last year, I did not have a single crash day from March through August!--so this is particularly demoralizing. I'm supposed to be going away with my mom this weekend for a book event we attend every year in Vermont, but I had to cancel. I've restarted microdosing tirzepatide (a GLP-1 agonist) in the hope that it will bring me back to a better level of functioning, as it did this past winter. And, since immune activation is my biggest issue in recent years, I have been reading some of the latest research on that topic ... I promise to share with you what I learn!

 

Do you have ways of bringing more joy into your life?

Please share in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Life with Chronic Illness: Finally Setting Goals for 2025!

Life with ME/CFS is always unpredictable! My last post here was 2024 Year in Review: Still Riding the Chronic Illness Rollercoaster! That was not only a summary of how I felt last year and what caused challenges for me but also a long list of treatments (old and new) that I tried or changed last year, what worked and what didn't. Since then, I recorded a video version of that post, so if it was too much for you to read--or you just have an easier time with video--you can watch my 2024 Year in Review (including the treatments I tried) on YouTube or below:

Once I had finished summing up last year, I was finally ready to start planning and setting goals for 2025 ... in February! 

I've written and talked extensively about Setting Goals When Chronically Ill: Improving Your Life in Tiny Steps. You can read the full chapter excerpted from my book here on the blog or watch the video version of it.

But this year, I was feeling overwhelmed by it all, especially since I didn't even start thinking about the new year until we were a month into it! I expressed these frustrations in a video, How Do You Juggle It All? Without Feeling Overwhelmed. Based on the comments, I think a lot of people--both healthy and sick--could relate to my feelings. Watch it on YouTube or below:

My own goals process had become more and more complex over the years, so this year I decided to take my own advice! I focused on only a few objectives for each of my Lifetime Goals and really tried to narrow my attention to tackle that feeling of always being overwhelmed. And to keep my limitations in mind.

Given the ups and downs in my health last year, health remains a big focus for me (of course). I also got rid of perennial goals that have become a part of my normal routine, like diet, walking (when I am up to it), daily yoga stretches, and resting when I crash. What I was left with, under my goal of optimizing my health (given my illness) was:

• Set up mold inspection & follow-up on results
• Continue to avoid infection risks
• Find new primary care doctor (mine of 23 years just retired!)
• Talk to my ME/CFS specialist about my changing immune dysfunction
• Try therapy for dysfunctional family relationships

I have similarly streamlined goals for the other areas of my life, with a big focus on traveling more this year with my husband and our camper.

Things were going quite well with my new approach, and I was feeling less overwhelmed and stressed. Then, a few days ago, some viral symptoms started. I haven't had a cold or other everyday virus in 20 years due to my immune system over-reacting to most viruses. I immediately thought it must be COVID (which is in a class of its own, plus I don't make many antibodies against it). Three days in, I still feel like I have a cold. It's not nearly as severe as my bout of COVID last summer (and I've had two negative tests so far). I am completely mystified because this just doesn't happen to me, but I am hopeful I will recover in a short-ish time. 

Meanwhile, I am resting a lot, ditching all those carefully thought-out plans for the moment, and being very, very cautious. I'm following my own advice and upping the doses of all my herbal anti-virals. I have no idea what's going on with me, but I'm hoping for the best. The first of our month-long road trips is supposed to begin in less than a month, so fingers crossed!

How have you been?

 

Do you struggle with feeling overwhelmed?

 

Share your experiences (or any questions) in the comments below.

 

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.

Join Me to Notice & Enjoy Nature More in 2024!

In 2023, I created #sky365 to use on social media, and I posted a photo of the sky (almost) every day. Last year was a rough one for me health-wise, but this very simple habit helped me to get outside at least once a day, reminded me to look up, and inspired me to find beauty and joy, even on my worst days.

This year, I am using #nature365 for the same reasons, and I would love for you to join me! You don't have to be a great photographer. The idea is simply to snap a quick photo each day of anything in the natural world: a tree, flowers, birds, or yes, the sky! Then share it on social media using #nature365, so the rest of us can enjoy it, too. Even photos taken from your window--or even of a houseplant--count. It's very flexible, but the purpose is to help us all pay more attention to the outside world and notice and appreciate nature wherever we find it.

Research shows that nature has amazing positive effects on both our physical and mental health, even with just 5 minutes of time or even just looking at pictures of nature. I explain all this in more detail and provide lots of easy tips for enjoying nature, even when you are severely limited, in my book and in this video, Get Out! Nature Improves Health.

So join me and post your #nature365 pics!

You can connect with me on Facebook and Twitter, where I will try to post a nature photo everyday, and you can reply with your own. 

Or post on whatever social media platform you prefer (I am determined to finally get on Instagram this year)

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite #sky365 photos from last year - remember even just looking at these photos improves your health! Click on them to enlarge:

What Do YOU Want in My Monthly Newsletter?

If you subscribe to my e-mail list,  then you receive each of my blog posts in your e-mail inbox, plus a monthly newsletter that I write, with exclusive content just for subscribers.

I've been sending out monthly newsletters to the mailing list for the past 15 months now, and to kick off the new year, I'd like to hear your feedback on what YOU want to see in the newsletter ... or if you don't read it at all. Whether you are a current subscriber who gets the newsletter or are just signing up for the e-mail list for the first time, I want to hear from you!

Currently, I usually include the following topics in the newsletter that gets emailed at the start of each new month:

• Life - an update of what is going on in my life
• Quote of the Month - a quote from a book I read that relates to chronic illness life
• Blog of the Month - a link to someone else's chronic illness blog and what I like about it
• YouTube Channel/Podcast of the Month - my recommendation for a chronic illness video channel or podcast (not included every month)
  
• From My Book - an excerpt from my own book (and sometimes a sale on my book)
• A Look Back on the Blog - an older post from my blog that is still relevant
• My Recent Videos - new videos posted in the last month
• My Recent Blog Posts - in case you missed anything the past month

Please let me know what you think:

Do you read the monthly newsletter at all or just delete it?

Which features do/would you enjoy?

Which features do/would you skip?

What would YOU like to see in the newsletter?

 

I spend a lot of time each month writing the newsletter, and I want it to reflect what YOU want to get in your inbox. Please tell me your thoughts!

You can leave a comment on this blog post (click on "Post a Comment") or e-mail me at sljackson@suzanjackson.com with your feedback.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Gifts Created by and for Spoonies (Newly Updated!)

(Note: spoonie refers to anyone living with chronic illness and disability.) 

This holiday season, why not help to support your fellow chronic illness peeps by purchasing cool, unique gifts created by those with chronic illness and disabilities? Or maybe you deserve the gift of self-care for the new year!

When I put out a call for gifts created and sold by those with chronic illness, I was inundated with all sorts of wonderfully creative items! Some are made specifically with spoonies in mind and others would make great gifts for anyone on your list. And you'll be helping to support fellow spoonies! Check out these awesome items:

Books

Suzan L. Jackson (I had to include my own book, too!)

Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness – guidance on emotional coping, daily living, relationships, and more.

Available anywhere books are sold, in paperback and all e-book formats.

Available here. 

Melissa Gijsbers

Melissa's son has ME/CFS, and she wrote a children's book about his experience, 3, 2, 1 ... Done, plus lots of other children's books and books for writers.

Kristin Houlihan

Kristin has written Lift the Mask: a short collection of poetry and lyrical prose which is very brain fog friendly! "Poetic and heartfelt musings on life, parenting, and faith, told through the lens of a chronically ill and disabled mom."

 

Lene Anderson

Lene is an award-winning writer with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), She has several books, including Your Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tips for Managing Treatment, Side Effects, and Pain and Chronic Christmas: Surviving the Holidays with Chronic Illness, which sounds very helpful right about now!

Amy Arthur

Amy has a brand-new book coming out December 28 (available for pre-order now), Pace Yourself: How to have energy in an exhausting world. The link goes to the UK Amazon website, but they do also deliver to the U.S. (and probably other countries as well).

 

Anna Wood

25 Birds, a beautiful book of photographs taken by Anna, who is housebound with ME/CFS, of birds in her garden over the course of a year. Available in the UK. Also available in the U.S. (and possibly other countries).

 

K.T. King

Fiction (including Little Eden series) and nonfiction (including 21^st Century Prayers series), available in paperback and e-book. Author has ME/CFS.

Available here.

JK Morgan

This chronically ill writer has published novels, short stories, poetry, and more. You can read all about her and her work on her website. Many of her varied books are available on Amazon.

 

Kathleen O’Shea

So Much More Than a Headache: Understanding Migraine Through Literature

Available in paperback and e-book.

Victoria Mack

5-Minute Gratitude Journal for People with Chronic Illness - A beautiful journal, with inspiring and supportive prompts to help with mindfulness, gratitude, and self-care.

Available here.

 

Infinitely Chelle – Chelle del Rosario

Beautiful notebooks and reading journals (wide variety with fun prompts).

Available here.

Jen Hardy’s Planners

3 planners: Path to Happiness 5-year Journal, Chronic Illness Journal for Moms, and a Business Planner.

Available here.

 

Jewelry

Words as Medicine Shop – Etsy – Christina B.

Wide variety of earrings – all different kinds of themes, shapes, colors, including holiday themes. I love earrings and want all of these! I ordered the gingerbread men/peppermints last year.

Available here. 

(Also see under Other Gifts - several sellers with multiple items include jewelry)

Other Gifts

Crafty Miss B – Etsy - Beth

Wide variety of hand-crafted items, made with embroidery, wood, metal, and fabric. Gifts include bookmarks, jewelry, decorations and ornaments. Creator has ME/CFS. She is on a break but will return in the new year.

Only ships in UK.

Available here.

FUMS – Kathy Reagan Young (has MS)

Wide variety of gifts with the FUMS logo, including hats, tote bags & fanny packs, clothing, masks, and more.

Available here. 

SunnyAuntCreations- 

Her RedBubble shop features beautiful watercolors on clothing, cards, stickers, and other products, and her Etsy shop includes watercolor prints and cards. Her work is beautiful!

BibiPins - 

Black, queer, disabled creator offers a wide range of gift items, including stickers, pins, stationery, compression garments, and much more! Full shop here.

 

InPhusions - 

Botanical body butters aimed at others with skin conditions and pain, from a Black, queer, trans, disabled creator. See and order products here.

Grace and Magic – Etsy – Katherine Grace

Beautifully designed planners, journals, notebooks, and trackers, available in print, digital, and printable pages to help with all kinds of planning, organizing, tracking, and self-care.

Available here.

Siren Blossoms – Heather Wright

A wide variety of printables, jewelry, and books, available through Etsy, Amazon, and other platforms. All links here:

Available here. 

Achy Smile Shop – Erica Nicole Carrasco (chronic migraine)

Beautifully-designed migraine-themed shirts, stickers, hats, bracelets, and phone cases.

Available here.

 

RatnaRaniBracelets

The creator has ME/CFS and offers a wide variety of artwork, jewelry, clothing, skin serums, and more. Visit her Etsy shop.

 

Chronic Illness Shop Directory:

 

Ability Shop: Chronic Illness and Disability-Owned Small Business Directory

A directory of businesses of gifts, businesses, books, art, and services from those with chronic illness and disabilities.

Available here.

WOW! So many unique gifts from so many creative folks with chronic illness and disabilities! I love the idea of getting cool gifts (for others and for myself) while also helping to support fellow spoonies. 

Happy Shopping!

And if YOU create gifts or other items that are available for sale and not on this list, please include your link in the comments below (if you have trouble leaving a comment on a mobile device, try using a computer).

 

Peace and Tranquility in Nature

In my book, I included a chapter, The Restorative Power of Nature, that details the scientific evidence that time spent in nature has measurable positive effects on both mental and physical health. That chapter also includes tips on how to bring nature's benefits into your own life, no matter how restricted you are; studies show that even looking at pictures of nature provide benefits. You can read an earlier version of that chapter/article here on the blog. With that in mind, I wanted to share some photos and video of some of my own recent time spent outdoors, which provided a much-needed respite in the midst of a busy month.

First, in spite of weeks of rain, we managed to get out for a couple of nights camping. It was a tight squeeze, with everything else we've had going on, but those two days of complete relaxation outdoors were worth the rush to get there. We took our pop-up camper to a beautiful state park in Maryland, less than an hour from our home. With views from our campsite of the Elk River and expansive views of the Chesapeake Bay near the historic lighthouse, we soaked in all the sights and sounds of nature. Here, I put together a video of photos from our short trip. View on YouTube or below:

Expand the view to full-screen, and you can also enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature!

Just a few days after that camping trip, we met our sons (and one girlfriend) at a rented lake house for the weekend. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and a tropical storm sat over the area for much of the weekend (and the following week!), but Friday evening was beautiful. My husband and I got the kayaks out on the lake, and we all enjoyed a stunning sunset over the water. In spite of the rain, the rest of the weekend was super-relaxing, and we loved having that time together as a family. A few photos:

I find being near the water especially peaceful and restorative.

Have you been able to spend any time outdoors lately?

Or even just looking at nature through your windows?

Let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Excerpts from My Book on Living with Chronic Illness

I am home briefly in between trips - three trips in 10 days' time! It's a busy month with a lot of family stuff, so I thought I would share some videos here today.

Since I started my YouTube channel in February 2021, I have made quite a few videos based on chapters from my book, Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness (available everywhere, in print and e-book, and more info on the book at that link). This book is meant for anyone living with any kind of chronic medical condition, with a focus on emotional coping, daily living, healthy relationships, and figuring out what your best life is, within your own restrictions and limitations.

I recently made a couple of brief videos (YouTube Shorts, under 1 minute each), with a quote from the beginning of two chapters:

Who Do You Tell and What Do You Say? - all about deciding what to reveal and to whom about your medical condition.

The Hidden World of Invisible Suffering - how chronic illness showed me a hidden world with lots of people facing challenges others don't see.

And these are longer (12-25 min) videos, based on full chapters from my book:

Get Out! Nature Improves Health - based on the chapter, The Restorative Power of Nature, includes some photos and videos of nature, plus tips on how to enjoy and get the benefits of nature, no matter what your limitations.

A Plan B Day - a useful concept with specific steps to help you prioritize, reduce stress, and listen to your body.

You're Right Where You Need to Be - how techniques like acceptance, giving in, and living in the present can help you to live your best life with chronic illness.

Finding Joy in Every Day - simple habits that can help you to identify the small joys in your everyday life and create more of those moments, to improve your quality of life and happiness.

What Are You Looking Forward To? - one simple tip I learned from a wonderful psychologist that can help when you are feeling stuck in a rut.

Celebrate Everything, Big and Small - when you celebrate the small stuff - with minimal effort! - you add joy to your life and give yourself and your family something to look forward to. It's fun! 

So, I hope that will provide some useful information to you while I'm away.

What tips and strategies help YOU live with chronic illness?

Let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Chronic Illness Vlog 4-11-23: Busy Week, Mild Crash, Easter & Spring!

I haven't posted much here lately because life's been BUSY! That's a good thing in many ways because it means I am continuing to feel well. I can now say confidently that I am back to my baseline, where I was in 2019, which is pretty good. I am able to be more active, take walks again (yay!), and manage some social time without crashing. 

In  fact, we are preparing for our first week-long vacation since 2019!! That's not entirely because of my health (nor the pandemic), but due in large part to the fact that we were caring for my father-in-law who had dementia. However, I do feel excited about this trip, rather than worried, which is great! This is also our first time taking our camper out this year, and I am very much looking forward to the quiet, slow pace of a camping trip.

In my latest Chronic Illness Vlog, posted this week (recorded last week), I talk about having a busy schedule (too busy, as it turned out--I did have to leave my book group early and had a mild crash day), enjoying a wonderful Easter visit with my family, an update on my son's first full-time job (he's had ME/CFS since 2004), and as always, some lovely nature footage to immerse you in the sights and sounds of spring. You can watch it on Youtube or below:

I'll leave you with a view of what next week will be like for us!

How are YOU doing?

What was last week like for you?

Let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Quick Chronic Illness Vlog: Great News x 2! Plus Nature.

I didn't record a chronic illness vlog last week, with video clips from my entire week, but on Monday (yesterday), I decided to record a brief video to share some good news!

I think (don't jinx it!) that I am finally back to my "normal" baseline after the terrible (worst in 20 years) relapse that began last September (what caused it and what helped at the link). Here, I talk (and include some photos and video) about a hike this weekend that I managed without crashing.

Even bigger news and a huge milestone for our family ... our oldest son started his first full-time job in his professional career on Monday! He's been sick with ME/CFS and three tick infections for 18 years, since age 10, so this is an enormous step forward for him toward a normal adult life.

You can hear the good news and details for yourself in this quick vlog that also includes some photos and video clips of a beautiful day walking along a local stream - remember that just looking at nature has mental and physical health benefits!

The details of how we each improved to our current level of functioning are all here on my blog - the Treatments tab is a good place to start. I also included more links at the bottom of the video page on YouTube (click Show More below the video).

How are YOU doing?

What was last week like for you?

Let me know in the comments below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Chronic Illness Vlog 2-21-23: A Week of Small Celebrations

I haven't posted a vlog since December, so I recorded one last week. My chronic illness vlogs are honest views of my life with ME/CFS and Lyme, shown through short video clips made over the course of a week.

Last week, I was feeling pretty good, with just a few low-energy days. Mostly, though, given the time of year, it was a week filled with joy due to celebrations of smaller holidays: Superbowl (just before I recorded this), Valentine's Day, and Mardi Gras. You can check out my video, Celebrate Everything, Big and Small, for my tips on adding joy to your life by celebrating the small stuff, with minimal effort and energy!

This vlog also includes some peaceful, calming video outdoors in nature.

You can watch last week's vlog on YouTube or below:

So, how was YOUR week last week? Do you have traditions for small celebrations?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Throwback Thursday: 17 Years of Blogging!

Seventeen years ago today, two wonderful things happened: my amazing nephew was born and I started this chronic illness blog! Back then, ME/CFS was often known as CFIDS (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome), in an effort by patients, experts, and advocates to bring some legitimacy to our much-maligned disease and more accuracy to its name.

You can read my very first blog post, Our Approach to Living with Chronic Illness, at the link. It's interesting to me to see that my overall philosophies have not changed: a balance of acceptance and hope, finding small joys in everyday life, staying within our limits, plus finding treatments that help. You can even see the origin of the title of my book, Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness in this post!

I started the blog as a sort of online journal (you can also see the precursor to this blog on my original LiveJournal account!). I didn't expect much, but I wanted to share our story and hopefully connect with a few other patients. I was quickly stunned by the outpouring of support from patients around the world who shared so many of our experiences in their own lives. 

It was the start of what turned into a huge effort to provide support to others (while also supporting myself and my family) that now includes multiple support groups, both locally and globally, online; a YouTube channel; and interaction with others patients on social media platforms and beyond.

All of this has greatly improved my life in so many ways. This illness can be so lonely and isolating, and it's been magnificent to connect with so many people all over the world.

Where were YOU 17 years ago today?

Setting Goals When Chronically Ill: Improve Your Life in Tiny Steps

I was absent the past week due to a family funeral. Our brother-in-law died unexpectedly on January 1, so my husband and I quickly made plans to travel to Texas for the memorial service last weekend. I had no intention of flying anytime soon, but San Antonio is about a 5-day drive from here! Of course, I wore my mask the entire long day of airports and planes (and also most of the weekend). I also, for the first time ever, requested wheelchair assistance from the airline, and wow, what a difference! It helped so much, and all the people who helped me were so kind. If you've never requested it before and need to travel, definitely give it a try. It prevented bad over-exertion crashes so that I could enjoy time with our nephews and their families and recover quickly once back home.

While I catch up here and get back into a more normal routine, I wanted to share this video I posted just before our trip. It's called Setting Goals When Chronically Ill: Improve Your Life in Tiny Steps. It describes a process I have used for many years, with loads of simple tips and strategies to help you meet your goals, change habits, and improve your life--all in ways that are doable even in lives severely limited by chronic illness, even if your only goal is to be happier and find more joy in your life. You can watch the video on Youtube or I will include it below: 

I would love to hear how you are starting the new year, and any advice you have for setting goals and making improvements when you are chronically ill. You can leave comments below or connect with me on Twitter or on this blog's Facebook page.

Happy New Year!

Gifts Created by and for Spoonies (Newly Updated!)

(Note: spoonie refers to anyone living with chronic illness and disability.) 

This holiday season, why not help to support your fellow chronic illness peeps by purchasing cool, unique gifts created by those with chronic illness and disabilities? Or maybe you deserve the gift of self-care for the new year!

When I put out a call for gifts created and sold by those with chronic illness, I was inundated with all sorts of wonderfully creative items! Some are made specifically with spoonies in mind and others would make great gifts for anyone on your list. And you'll be helping to support fellow spoonies! Check out these awesome items:

Books

Suzan L. Jackson (I had to include my own book, too!)

Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness – guidance on emotional coping, daily living, relationships, and more.

Available anywhere books are sold, in paperback and all e-book formats.

Available here. 

Melissa Gijsbers

Melissa's son has ME/CFS, and she wrote a children's book about his experience, 3, 2, 1 ... Done, plus lots of other children's books and books for writers.

Kristin Houlihan

Kristin has written Lift the Mask: a short collection of poetry and lyrical prose which is very brain fog friendly! "Poetic and heartfelt musings on life, parenting, and faith, told through the lens of a chronically ill and disabled mom."

 

Lene Anderson

Lene is an award-winning writer with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), She has several books, including Your Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tips for Managing Treatment, Side Effects, and Pain and Chronic Christmas: Surviving the Holidays with Chronic Illness, which sounds very helpful right about now!

Amy Arthur

Amy has a brand-new book coming out December 28 (available for pre-order now), Pace Yourself: How to have energy in an exhausting world. The link goes to the UK Amazon website, but they do also deliver to the U.S. (and probably other countries as well).

 

K.T. King

Fiction (including Little Eden series) and nonfiction (including 21^st Century Prayers series), available in paperback and e-book. Author has ME/CFS.

Available here.

JK Morgan

This chronically ill writer has published novels, short stories, poetry, and more. You can read all about her and her work on her website. Many of her varied books are available on Amazon.

 

Kathleen O’Shea

So Much More Than a Headache: Understanding Migraine Through Literature

Available in paperback and e-book.

Victoria Mack

5-Minute Gratitude Journal for People with Chronic Illness - A beautiful journal, with inspiring and supportive prompts to help with mindfulness, gratitude, and self-care.

Available here.

 

Infinitely Chelle – Chelle del Rosario

Beautiful notebooks and reading journals (wide variety with fun prompts).

Available here.

Jen Hardy’s Planners

3 planners: Path to Happiness 5-year Journal, Chronic Illness Journal for Moms, and a Business Planner.

Available here.

 

Jewelry

Words as Medicine Shop – Etsy – Christina B.

Wide variety of earrings – all different kinds of themes, shapes, colors, including holiday themes. I love earrings and want all of these! I ordered the gingerbread men/peppermints last year.

Available here. 

(Also see under Other Gifts - several sellers with multiple items include jewelry)

Other Gifts

Crafty Miss B – Etsy - Beth

Wide variety of hand-crafted items, made with embroidery, wood, metal, and fabric. Gifts include bookmarks, jewelry, decorations and ornaments. Creator has ME/CFS. She is on a break but will return in the new year.

Only ships in UK.

Available here.

FUMS – Kathy Reagan Young (has MS)

Wide variety of gifts with the FUMS logo, including hats, tote bags & fanny packs, clothing, masks, and more.

Available here. 

SunnyAuntCreations- 

Her RedBubble shop features beautiful watercolors on clothing, cards, stickers, and other products, and her Etsy shop includes watercolor prints and cards. Her work is beautiful!

BibiPins - 

Black, queer, disabled creator offers a wide range of gift items, including stickers, pins, stationery, compression garments, and much more! Full shop here.

 

InPhusions - 

Botanical body butters aimed at others with skin conditions and pain, from a Black, queer, trans, disabled creator. See and order products here.

Grace and Magic – Etsy – Katherine Grace

Beautifully designed planners, journals, notebooks, and trackers, available in print, digital, and printable pages to help with all kinds of planning, organizing, tracking, and self-care.

Available here.

Siren Blossoms – Heather Wright

A wide variety of printables, jewelry, and books, available through Etsy, Amazon, and other platforms. All links here:

Available here. 

Achy Smile Shop – Erica Nicole Carrasco (chronic migraine)

Beautifully-designed migraine-themed shirts, stickers, hats, bracelets, and phone cases.

Available here.

 

RatnaRaniBracelets

The creator has ME/CFS and offers a wide variety of artwork, jewelry, clothing, skin serums, and more. Visit her Etsy shop.

 

Chronic Illness Shop Directory:

 

Ability Shop: Chronic Illness and Disability-Owned Small Business Directory

A directory of businesses of gifts, businesses, books, art, and services from those with chronic illness and disabilities.

Available here.

WOW! So many unique gifts from so many creative folks with chronic illness and disabilities! I love the idea of getting cool gifts (for others and for myself) while also helping to support fellow spoonies. 

Happy Shopping!

And if YOU create gifts or other items that are available for sale and not on this list, please include your link in the comments below (if you have trouble leaving a comment on a mobile device, try using a computer).