THREE MORE DAYS LEFT!! I’m giving away the animalkingdom Adult colouringbook!!! It’s soo pretty! It’s a worldwide giveaway. 🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊All you have to do to enter is follow me on Instagram: @findingmyrange, repost my post and tag #fmrgift by the end of Sunday the 7th June!! 🎊🎊🎊🎊Will pick a winner on Monday 😊 good luck xxx
Not to well this week so sorry in advanced for the short reading! Xxx
‘The moment I begin to celebrate myself and focus on my successes is the moment I begin living’
❤️💚💙💜💛
This weeks positive affirmation card reading 😊 it was a beautiful full moon last night and with that came allot of rain and wind! Something was quite soothing about the weather! (ESP when your not outside in it lol) When there’s a full moon you can soak up its energy and really start focusing on you! If you live in the UK, tomorrow is finally Election Day! It can be a stressful time and all we hear about is what the parties can do for us and their ideas on how we should live but the truth is we have to look at ourselves and ask what can I do for me! We are all beautiful beings and deep down we know what we need and want! But we often push our feelings and thoughts aside to focus on other things! It’s time to #pause and look at all the beauty inside you and start recognising all the amazing things you do and can do! Start focusing on YOU! Make yourself #proud by doing the things you want to do! Stand up for what you believe in and be the best you out there cause you are the only one who can do that! Once you are true to yourself and celebrate the light that shines out of you only then will you start living with confidence and #soul, YOUR SOUL!! We can be the change in any situation it all depends on how much you believe in it and yourself!!
Love and Light to you all xxxx
Sorry for the Very late post, my hay-fever was Soo crazy he past few days! Iv only stopped sneezing now! Had such a busy day on Monday so yesterday I just wanted to crash out!
For those who follow me on Instagram I Picked a card for this weeks Positive Affirmation Reading on Tuesday morning and wrote a short reading there but was too tiered to post on here so hope you understand 🙂
This weeks card is..
‘I Am Not The Victim; I Am The Lighthouse!’
I didn’t really get this card when I first read it! I even naughtily shuffled the deck again and re picked but I was still drawn to this card and randomly managed to pick it up again lol law of attraction lol
I began to stare at this card! I ignored the words and just focused of the beautiful colours. As I closed my eyes the bright red slowly turned into Orange and yellow! I could feel the warmth of the colours wash over me. Then I could see little flashes like a camera flash but it wasn’t white! The flashes were purple and blue! It was Soo nice! I just felt so happy and relaxed! These feelings were so strong then I looked at the words on the card and immediately thought this is how I will feel if I become this beacon of light! I also realised if I surround myself with people who project this light I will still have these wonderful feelings even if my light is dimmed or when I’m having a bad day..
Victim is a very strong word! When you think about being a victim you automatically think about things like being a victim of bullying or a victim of abuse etc… But in some situations we can make ourselves victims of our minds. We do this by starting to focus on something that hurt us and not letting go of it! I used to do this allot and still do…
Say someone pushes into you on the street, drops your coffee but they keep walking, don’t apologise and they just ignore you completely. Most of us would automatically feel upset, hurt or angry about what has happened. We can get quite upset and start winding your self up about it but there is another way to think about it! This card is reminding you to be of Light! Think of all the other reasons someone could have bumped into you.. They could have had so many things going on in their head that their mind was completely somewhere else or they were running late for an important appointment and didn’t even realise what they did… Being of light is about being positive and wanting to share good and loving vibes into the universe! It’s to project a pure energy that attracts positivity without you needing to do anything. Light is love and Love is what we all need! Last week we learnt to love ourselves and be open to receiving love and this week we are now projecting love and Light!
So this week if someone hurts you try and resolve it in your mind with positive thinking even if they were totally in the wrong send positive light to them! By you doing that you will shine so brightly and wash away any negative thoughts and feelings!! When you become the ‘lighthouse’ good things will come to you and you will also attract others whom you can guide with your light😊
This weeks song for the reading is…
Rihanna- Dimonds click here to watch it 😊
Apologies again for the very late post! Please follow me on Instagram as my uploads are faster on there also I keep Instagram updated every day!
Won’t post till next week as I’m still not well…
Hope you all enjoy the rest of the week and the long weekend (if you live in the UK)
Peace and Love xxx
Its Soo sunny today 😊! I woke up at 9am but lets not get that confused with actually getting out of bed lol! I was still in bed at 12pm stretching and waking my body up! I felt like playing Drakes latest album to wake up to today! It’s getting me really excited for wireless festival!
I have to go to the dentist today to get my mouth guard! I’m also taking grandma to the hospital to pick up her new hearing aids! Hopefully her hearing will be improved and she will be able to be herself again!
❤️💜💙💚
Ok so it’s time for this weeks inspirational affirmation!
After praying and also sitting in the sun on my bed I picked this weeks card 😊
The card reads
‘I Am Ready To Recieve Love’
This card couldn’t come at a better time!! Summer is starting and we want to get out and about! We want to be able to sit on a park bench so the sun hits our skin or we want to try and be more active because we became hermits during winter! Allot of us tend to find winter really hard and lose allot of love and care for ourselves because we unconsciously close up to love!
Being ready to give love is quite easy! Most of us do loving things with out blinking an eye! Complimenting somone is loving, smiling at a stranger is loving, buying your parents a gift is loving, making food for your friends is loving etc… But sometimes we are not READY to Recieve love because we feel bad! And when you have a chronic illness being ready to accept love on top of physical/mental support can seem over baring or we feel like people do so much For us already that we forget we need love just as much as everything else.
Should I let you in on a secret? We ARE READY for love! We were all born ready! From the moment we were created we grew because of love! We just need to accept it as one of the most natural things that can happen to us! So are you ready? – ‘Yes we were BORN READY!’
Receive is an amazing word! Sometimes we get the word confused with taking! To receive is to accept what is coming to you but with no ill or insecure feeling afterwords! When we receive our bodies and souls will react! Receiving means we are open to obsorbing what is being presented to us, and in this case it’s love!
Love comes in many forms and to receive it is to accept it! We have established that we are ready for love and that receiving it is as important as giving love! I know as a spoonie I sometimes feel like I don’t need it and I need stregth instead so i can keep strong! But I got it all wrong! Love comes to me in all forms and wether it’s from a friend hugging me or the checkout guy in Tesco helping me pack my bags! It’s it continually being presented to me and I learnt that when I accept the loving actions presented to me I automatically grew stronger!
So this week make sure you tell yourself
‘I Am Ready To Recieve Love’
Also keep an eye out for All the loving things that come your way this week and write them down! I bet you will be surprised how many things come up 😊
The song that played in my head when I picked this card was:
Katrina & The Waves – Walking on Sunsshine
Remember you can add me on Instagram for a quicker reading and more posts
Click here or the snapshot below
Have a lovely and Loving Week
Peace and Love xxx
Today i have allot of pain 👎 so just been in bed most of the day! On a flare up day I like to catch up on reading, I listen to music and meditate (trying not to over medicate). I do anything to distract me from pain!
If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I use Angel Oracle cards to help me connect and communicate with my angels! The aim is always love and positivity, that’s why I love them! It’s the same idea as tarot cards but angel cards feel right for me! The cards I used today are from Doreen Virtue! She’s an amazing lady and I would highly recommend going to her website and checking her out 😊
This is the front of the box, its such a pretty box! You get a booklet inside with information about each card and also an introduction about using the cards and how you can get the most from them! You also get 44 cards in the deck! They are illustrated sooo beautifully and really speak to you!
So an hour ago I decided to do an angel reading for my followers… Remember this is just about love and positivity 😊 so I did my prayers and started meditating I then asked my angels to come around!
So I asked them who will be guiding us this month! And I picked Omega!
As Soon as I saw this card I felt this gush of empowerment flow through my body! The queen song ‘I want to break free’ started playing in my ears and I forgot about my pain and felt like moving around 🙂
This card reads
“Victory! Your desire is comming to fruition. Keep up the good work!”
Everyone has things they want in life and depending on the day, week, month or years our needs will change! You can get allot of guidance from this card and as this is our first reading together I believe omega turned up to let us know that we’re doing the right thing! When you have a chronic illness it can be hard to go for the things we want because our health can get in the way! But this month omega is telling us loud and clear that we can do what ever we want as long as we keep at it! We have to make the choice to be happy! Omega is a healer too and knows the smallest things to others can be the biggest victory to us! He wants us to know that all our strength comes from within us and he’s by us giving us the love to accomplish what we want! Our bodies can let us down at times and like me today, all you want to do is sleep through the pain but you end up feeling guilty for not being ‘active’
Well not anymore! We have to accept the days like this but also find a purpose on these days so we don’t feel bad about it! The flare up days can give us a day to paint our nails, or read a book, catch up with friends/family, spend time thinking of positive thoughts, play some music, do some light yoga/stretches, meditate, watch a film etc…
We create what’s normal and active for us! Do everything to better yourself and others! And if anyone dares to call you lazy just smile and know that you are Victorious like Omega and people must be blind if they can’t see our strong wings, long mane and magical healing unicorn horn 😜 lol
This is the month to keep going and like Freddie Mercury it is the time to sing ‘I Want Break Free’ and really mean it!
Click on the photo below to play song on YouTube 🙂
This is our April reading I wil do another in May
Peace and Love xxxx
So over the weekend I bought a set of inspirational affirmation cards by Gabrielle Bernstein! She has a book called ‘miracles now’ which I still need to buy! You can use these cards like a oracle deck 😊 I have grown so attached to them from the moment I opened the box! They just get their message across loud and clear! And they are Soo pretty to look at! I’m not sure if they are available online yet but will let you know!
I am a firm believer of Angels and have really upped my game in connecting with my angels and anything spiritual that will better my life and the life of others!
I will write a post about my spiritualrange soon 😊 But in the mean time I will try and upload a random card after meditating every week so we can stay positive together! Or I will do an angel card reading for all my followers to help us stay connected 🙂 Make sure you check out my Instagram to keep in contact with me daily!
After my morning meditation I asked the universe and my spiritual guides to help me pick a card for my Findingmyrange family today! So I shuffled the 62-card deck, prayed and picked a card I am drawn to!
So today’s card is:
Happiness is something we cannot live without! When I don’t feel happy my body physically reacts! Happiness really helps mentally and physically when you have a chronic health condition! Every living creature on earth has a right to happiness! So today think about what makes you happy! Try and write a list of things that make you happy then do a few of those things today! 😊
Peace & Love xxx
What are Life Hacks you may ask? It’s a list of things that help me through life!
I suffer from a few medical conditions and one of the hardest to manage is my EDS and Fibromyalgia. Living with so many complex conditions can be very tricky and it can feel impossible at times. I was 16 and in the middle of GCSEs when my health deteriorated! My life turned upside-down and I didn’t recognise my body anymore I just felt lost! I went from going out with friends and family to having to stay at home or in hospital all day!! I could no longer do small things like painting my nails or making a cup of tea! Back then I didn’t think I could do anything independently anymore! EVERYTHING SEEMED LOST!
You will be glad to hear that things have changed soo much! And I am no longer that scared and lost teenager I once was! like soo many of you I have gone through lots of challenges and changes but for the better! I have learnt to pick myself up and I came to the realisation that If I want to see a change I need to be that change!!
I am now 26 and living in tempory (been here 4 years lol) supported housing two roads down from my parents. I am 100% more clued up about my health conditions and have oblivious grown up allot!! I now know and understand that life goes on and you just have to adapt to it! Anyone can do anything they want as long as you’re smart about it and have self belief!
I have learnt loads on my journey so far especially when it comes to making sure I live my life to the fullest ontop of keeping a healthy balance between my life and my health conditions! But I’m telling you it’s soo hard ESP in the beginning! But I’m trying my best a and I couldn’t live like this now without my ‘life hacks’
LIFE HACKS
Life hacks are basically things that help you in your life to just be you! This is just an introduction to ‘life hacks’. There are soo many that it would be too complicated to write them here so visit my Life hacks page to read the different posts!! I will keep updating that page 🙂
Please send me your advice and life hacks and I will add them to the page to 🙂 lets go!!! Click here
First post 👇
To read ‘Clean Hair Life Hacks’ Click here
Peace and love xxx
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Finding my range ‘body fixing’
What does a toolbox have to do with a ‘Flare Up’???
When you need to fix something or you are looking to do some DIY, the first thing you will need to get is your toolbox!! There is somthing so satisfying about going to get your toolbox(even if your not very good at using it lol)
Everyones toolbox is different as we all have some things we need to fix more then others. We will have our favourite tools and we will have things in there for predictable situations (superglue is mine as I’m constantly smashing things 😖 lol). So if a tool box is there to help mend things or to aid you in a new DIY project, why don’t we have a ‘toolbox’ for when our body and mind need to be fixed or encouraged?!!
FLARE UP
In the world of chronic illnesses/conditions hearing or using the words ‘flare up’ is part of our everyday lives.. For those who don’t know what one is let me explain it in my own words/experience…
A ‘flare up’ to me and many others is a time in our lives where our medical conditions worsen or becomes harder to cope with.. It’s a time when most of your plans will change or get cancelled! It’s a time where it will normally feel like your condition is taking over! You can’t normally predict when one will come unless you know you have done somthing to trigger it (like over doing things and not pacing). I know that I get more prolonged flareups in the winter then in the summer.. I’v had my current one for nearly two weeks and it hit its peak a few days back (hopefully). Most times I can feel my flare up creep up on me! I will start getting very tiered, start taking higher dosage of painkillers and my immune system will start to slow down! My gums will start to get itchy and mouth ulcers will suddenly appear! My blood pressure will drop which means my dizziness will also increase and my brain fog will be in full swing! These are only a few signs I have mentioned, in general all my pre-existing symptoms will start to get allot worse!
When my flareup is in full swing I won’t be able to do most things, walking becomes non existent, Doing repetitive movements like chewing my food will be a huge task and picking up a glass of water will feel like I’m picking up a bag of bricks….
When I first started experiencing major flareups I didn’t know what to do!
I would normally end up in hospital for a few days. I would end up getting poked and over drugged because my observation stats would be all over the place.. I would come out of Hosp with my Meds completely changed and bruises all over! As I started getting more familer with flareups I would learn to tell the difference between what symptoms were ‘safe’ and ‘normal’ compared to symptoms that needed urgent medical attention!! This is a very important thing to learn but it will take time!! It took me a few years to recognise when A flareup was normal or if it was somthing els.
Surviving a Flareup
Everyone has different ways of dealing with their flareup because it is a very personal thing! What works for me may not work for others… But one thing we can all do is have a flareup ‘toolbox’
It does not have to be a real toolbox (most are heavy) you just need some sort of box or container! I find a shoebox works for me! The point of this box is when you get a flareup you won’t need to run around like a headless chicken you will just need to reach for this box to get some of your stuff you need to get you through this time!!! I have different boxes as I don’t have space in my flat for a bigger box…
Again please contact your doctor before you try any new products…
Here’s a list of what I have in mine!!
Personal Information!- I have typed up a cover letter of my personal information. On this it has my name, date of birth, gp details, emergency contacts, List of medication with instructions on how and when I take them, any allergies and of course a list of all my conditions including my average heart rate for sitting and standing and my average peak flow reading. I live in supported housing so it’s very important to have this ready as staff/family will need to know this information ESP if they need to contact a doctor. If you have EDS / Hypermobility you may want to write ‘please be aware that my joints dislocate and sprain easily‘ I notice that people like to just pull me up ESP ambulance staff and end up hurting me in the process…
Spare Medication! – I keep a copy of my current prescription and check its up to date every six months or when there are changes with the medicine I take! I will also attach to the prescription a list of any herbal/supplements I’m taking like my cranberry tablets. I keep spare meds in the box incase I have run out of my main supply! I will always have all my painkillers and anything to do with my asthma and POTs (pumps, steroids, peak flow meter, heart medication) in the box! I will also have my start up antibiotics for my recurrent urine infections & bladder catheters. I label all the meds in my box so if I have family or a carer looking after me they will know what it’s for. I also keep plastic shot glasses from poundlan in the box and I get the carer to put my medication in the shot glasses before they leave so I can acsess my meds easily.
Pain Management- other then medication I like to add things in my box that really help me deal with the pain!! I am allergic to ASPRIN so I have to be carful about what I use! I can’t survive without cura heat patches, tiger balm, kool ‘n’ soothe patches and my hotties microwave hotwater bottle. I will do another post later introducing and reviewing these products!!
Medical supplies- it’s can be a tricky thing to know when it is the right time to use splints. They do support the joints but sometimes it can’t make the joint worse… When I get a flare up I notice more pain in certain joints so I will always keep bandages in my box. I’m more likely to hurt myself during this time so having the bandages ready really helps! I will wrap the joint that’s playing for a day so it can rest up then I will remove the bandage and start to slowly move my joints again! I will also have cura heat arthritis bandages! You can get them for your knees, back and wrists. These are really cool because the tubular bandage will help hold your joint while the subtle heat from the patch will cover the joint that hurts!
Diary- I keep a small diary in my box to write down the dates I have gone through my flareups!! I will also wrote down what I think triggered it so I can pick up and patterns. I will also write down anything that has helped me or anything that has made it worse..
Working out- I will keep a paper of exercises I can do from my bed… I have things for when I’m at my worst to when I’m feeling abit better.. For when I’m at my worst the paper encourages me to move my small joints (toes, fingers,jaw) a bit. I won’t intentionally engage any big mucles as it is a very hard task when your at your worst but some sort of movement is better then nothing! Another thing in my box are these Cool sponges I got from hand therapy! They are used to stregthen your hands and fingers! They come in different strengths according to the colour. I like keeping one next to me in bed so I can squeeze it and keep my joints moving.
I also have a exercise resistance band (from Physio)
I never look like the cartoon below duringing a flare up. I will do the same positions as her but on a much smaller scale…. You can adapt what you do in accordance to how you feel and what you can manage! I never do anything like this when I’m at the peak of my flareup! I will only move on to exercises like this once my pain is under control or I feel ready! But it’s definitely part of my plan to get through a flareup!
(She makes it look so easy lol) you can buy the sponges and bands online to… Click here to buy one..
Relaxation- it is important to have things that will help you relax as tense mucles and sleepless nights will only make it worse! Things I have in my flareup box to help me are
Food- I don’t eat well during a flareup and normally get support to come and help me make food. Even if I get some food infront of me I will still not eat well because my body it too tiered to chew and process the food so I keep a smoothie recipe In the box. My recipe has ingredients that will boost my immune system! It is also very easy for me to consume as I am just drinking it! I keep Straws in the box to so I can use them to drink my water/smoothies without holding the glass. I also keep hard boiled sweets to suck on and 100% Cacao Chocolate! It is raw chocolate, I use it as a natural antiseptic as I can’t use asprin, it’s also amazing to use as a immune boost!
Venting– I keep a note that’s addressed to ‘flare up Steph’. It just tells me it’s ok to feel angry and all the other nagative feelings during a flare up but don’t bottle it up, let it out and let it go!!! This note wakes me up and really does encourage me to let it out!
That’s all I can think of at the moment but will update every time I find somthing els
Hope this helps! Let me know what you will put in yours!
Peace and love xxxx
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Afternoon All!!
Can’t believe it’s the 2nd of February already!! 2015 is flying by!!
For over a year now I have been going swimming every Monday at 7.30 with the help from a carer! I have tried so many exercises but swimming seems to be the best fit! The cool water helps my POTs stay under control and being in the water makes it allot easier to move without putting weight/pressure on my joints! It took me a while to figure out what I can and can’t do in the water!! But it’s definitely worth trying! Most pools are accessible but always call and check! If you are on DLA you can most probably get a free swimming membership for you and your carer… Again ring up your pool and inquire! Don’t forget to ask if they have a hoist for those who can’t use the steps to get in and out the pool.. You can also ask for a tour of the facilities before you go for your first swim so you can make sure everything you need is provided!
About 4 years ago I had hydrotherapy for my EDS at UCL hospital London… The physiotherapist taught me loads of excercises– mainly strengthening ones. My favourite thing to do is to use a pool noodle! It’s a must have for anyone with joint and muscle problems…
I do an exercise which you can do even on a really sore day!! If I didn’t have this excercise I would not be able to go swimming!
There are so many ways to use a noodle and you can workout many different mucles with this simple accessory
I love to use it for my core mucles! 20-30 minutes of this once or twice a week works wonders and really helps with stability and I found my balance starts getting bad when I stop doing this exercise
Your local pool should provide noodles… If you are unsure ring them up and ask! If they don’t then ask the manager if they can provide some…. You can also buy them online or in stores like argos and the large super markets.. They tend to start selling them from March till the end of summer… I have always bought mine from my local poundland!! It’s cheap, efficient and I don’t have to feel bad when I leave them in a hotel when I’m on holiday 😄
Once you get that sorted it’s time to go in! Please do take someone in with you for support wether it’s physical or emotional! Also let the life guard know of any health issues that might effect your swim like POTs! I would also advise you get the go ahead from your doctor before you start swimming!
I always swim in the the small pool which is normally the children’s pool! My swimming pool offeres women’s only sessions at 8am for an hour on Mondays and swim for all every day between 3pm and 4pm! It’s allot quieter at these hours and you can concentrate on your body in the Pool without the pressure from the more advanced swimmers…
Always keep a bottle of water next to the pool and any medication you may need like an asthma pump.. Also buy goggles if you are going to swim…
Technique!
When you first enter the water dip your head under the water to get used to the temperature… Then start stretching! Do what ever stretches you would normally do! Don’t rush take your time!
So your in the water with your noodle! I use two noodles as its more stable! Walk down the length of the pool till the water is above your waist but under your chin! I always go to where the water stops between my elbow and my shoulder.. You want to be able to touch the ground without tiptoeing and you want to stay next to the pool wall so you can hold it for support. Take your noodle/noodles and make a horseshoe shape then place it under your bum so your sitting on it while holding onto the side of the pool for balance.. You should look like this random cartoon lol
Once your sitting you will notice your basically floating with your legs dangling… Try and keep a straight back and keep your balance by moving your legs… Engage you CORE MUSCLES! Once you get the hang of it let go of the wall and do it without support! This will really help! Start of with 5 minutes or less and then build it up! I don’t really do over 40 mins!! The days I have a flare up and actually make it to the pool I will only do stretches and this exercise! It’s normal to feel tiered after!
That’s it!! Let me know how it goes for you or if you have any other tips and tricks. Swimming helps me but it’s different for different people… So give it a try 😊
Peace and love xxx
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Just finished my first post at 2.30 am and as I try and lay my insomniac head down this song starts playing in my head lol enjoy!!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QyT9jTW7MHc
Goodnight
Peace & Love xxx
Finding My Range 