I was recently asked if I would like to take part in a podcast. Sheryl, who blogs at A Chronic Voice, has started a podcast and invited me onto it as a guest to discuss life lessons. My first reaction was, oooooh, I’d be too nervous to be on a podcast. I am fairly lacking in the self-confidence department and I also hate to hear my own voice. I thought I would probably ramble a lot of rubbish and would embarrass myself. Then I thought, do I even have any life lessons worth sharing? Besides all that, I had very bad broadband which hardly allowed me to watch videos never mind being able to record a podcast.
So I told Sheryl that I couldn’t do it because I didn’t have good broadband. Then I got full fibre broadband so that excuse became redundant!
Do I Have Life Lessons Worth Sharing?
I felt so nervous and apprehensive about it but my husband talked me around. He told me I’d manage fine and said it would be nice for my readers to see and hear me. (I’m still not convinced about that!) I said, but do I have life lessons worth sharing? And he said, “isn’t that what your blog is about?” And, yes, quite a few of my blog posts are life lessons which are, hopefully, worth sharing.
So I finally took a deep breath and told Sheryl that I would do the podcast.
My Interview on the Sick Lessons Podcast
Sheryl is an amazing lady. She blogs about life with chronic illness and, despite living with many serious health issues, she helps so many other chronic illness bloggers. I am sure that she will have some fantastic interviews coming up on Sick Lessons, so it would be worth bookmarking her site.
When we first started chatting, I was nervous but that soon wore off and it felt as though I was chatting with an old friend.
We chatted about my life here in the Scottish Borders with my husband and my lovable rascal, Kip. Actually, I think I mentioned Kip a few times. Can you blame me? She gets more gorgeous every day.
We chatted about all sorts of life lessons – acceptance, listening to your body, empathy and pacing amongst other things.
I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Sheryl. I probably did ramble a bit but, hopefully, people will enjoy it and get something from it.
If you’d like to learn a wee bit more about me and you can bear to watch me and listen to voice, you’ll find the Sick Lessons podcast on the link below.
Click here for my interview on the Sick Lessons Podcast
6 More Life Lessons I’d Like to Share Today
If you listen to the podcast, you’ll hear the life lessons I shared but I’d like to share a few more today.
Ditch the Guilt
Living with pain or illness isn’t your fault, so don’t burden yourself with guilt. Guilt won’t help you. It simply drags you down.
How to Overcome the Burden of Guilt
Ask for Help
Living with chronic pain or a chronic illness can take it’s toll on your mental health. Don’t try to cope with this on your own. Speak to someone and ask for help.
We all want to be independent but when living with pain or illness, independence isn’t always possible. As much as you might hate to do it, ask for help when you need it.
It’s Okay to Say No
It’s such a small word, but it’s often hard to say, isn’t it? But it shouldn’t be. Saying no can help you to do what is right for you.
Don’t Make Comparisons
Don’t compare your life with other people’s. They don’t live in your shoes and you don’t live in theirs. Try to remember that all that glitters on social media is not gold. People might look as though they are living a perfect life or they might look as though they cope with their health problems really well but that might be a facade.
Love Yourself
It’s good to be kind, but kindness should begin with being kind to yourself. Learn to love yourself. You’re worth it. You deserve it.
Don’t Miss Out
Try not to miss out on too much because of your illness or pain. If you get an opportunity of finding happiness or making memories, try to grab it with both hands and don’t let it go.
Don’t Let Pain Destroy Your Social Life
If you live in the UK, you might be interested in this opportunity to make some special memories:
An Unexpected Life Lesson Worth Sharing – Don’t Leave Cans of Fizzy Drinks in the Car
We’ve had a heatwave in the UK this summer. Even Scotland has seen record temperatures. One day last week, I heard our car alarm going off so I went to investigate. It normally means there’s a butterfly or wasp trapped inside the car and their movement sets it off. But not that day. The alarm had gone off when a can of Pepsi exploded. My husband had left it in the front console of the car the previous day. The temperature was excessively high inside the car and the can exploded. What a lovely sticky mess he had to clean up.
So, if the temperature is excessively hot wherever you are, a life lesson which is definitely worth sharing is to never leave cans of fizzy drinks in your car.
Life Lessons Are Always Worth Sharing
Living with chronic pain or a chronic illness really does teach you life lessons and I’m sure they’re all worth sharing. We often learn life lessons through experience and our experiences can help other people. So never be afraid of sharing life lessons with others – you might help someone.
I can totally relate to not having the confidence of being interviewed on a podcast Elizabeth but I’m so pleased your husband persuaded you to do it with Sheryl. You definitely have a lot of life lessons and important helpful advice for people to hear. I constantly need reminding that it’s ok to say no, to not feel guilty and to not compare myself to others, especially those of a similar age who are at a completely different stage in life to me. Your dog Kip is absolutely adorable. Also, great tip about not leaving cans out in the heat. I had the opposite experience of leaving a can in the freezer and forgetting about it until I heard it explode and create a lovely mess in the freezer! Thanks again for sharing your journey, insight and really helpful advice for others.
Thank you, Lucy. I was glad that he persuaded me too. It was definitely outside my comfort zone, but I enjoyed it. Yes, my Kip is a real sweetheart, absolutely adorable. Oh, that must have made a huge mess in your freezer! I think bits of our car will be sticky forever!
Congratulations on your appearance on Sick Lessons! Sheryl interviewed me for the podcast, too (episode 4). I will check out your interview, but the lessons you included here are all really insightful and helpful.
And, wow, I’ve never seen a can of soda explode its lid right off like that!! It’s been intolerable heat & humidity here all summer, so thanks for that tip, too!
Sue
My Book: Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness
Thank you Sue. I listened to your podcast and really enjoyed it too. I’m looking forward to hearing more interviews on Sick Lessons.