I’ve been writing about what it’s like to live with pain for several years. I’ve also been living with this unwanted companion for several decades. Over that time, I’ve learned that P doesn’t just stand for Pain. It also stands for many other words related to living with pain. What…
Back Pain & Scoliosis
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When Your Body Says No, But Your Diary Says Yes
Sometimes, our bodies say “no, not today.” But out of necessity, or even choice, we sometimes need to override the off switch. Unfortunately, that doesn’t switch off the pain. But if we have an appointment in our diaries, we do occasionally need to override that “no, not today.” Somehow, we…
Chronic Pain
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When Doing Nothing Is Doing Something
At the end of last week, I was thinking to myself: I have been doing absolutely nothing all week. And then the guilt kicked in. But I’ve come to realise that when you’re living with pain or a chronic illness, very often doing nothing is actually doing something — looking…
Uncategorized
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Travel Without the Hassle…No Packing Required
Summer is upon us here in sunny Scotland. Except, it’s not very sunny. There’s been a heatwave south of the border, but most days it’s actually quite wet, and dreich here in Scotland. Perhaps it’s time to fly off to a warmer climate for a quick break. Travelling sounds wonderful,…
Blogging & Writing
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The Stories I Couldn’t Find — Guest Post by C. Helen
I love sharing guest posts on Despite Pain because they allow another voice to be heard and another story to be told. This week, I’m delighted to welcome C. Helen, who recently published her novel, The Other Side of the Butterfly, which features a main character living with chronic illness….
Back Pain & Scoliosis
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Living With Scoliosis: When Things Change
June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, so I thought it was the perfect time to explain a wee bit more about my back pain. I have been living with scoliosis (a curvature of my spine) for fifty years, and with the pain it’s brought for over forty years. I’ve learned to…
Back Pain & Scoliosis
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Adapting to Chronic Pain — Again and Again
Adapting to chronic pain isn’t something that happens just once. Pain can change over time, and when it does, we have to learn how to live with it all over again. Adapting doesn’t make life perfect; it just makes some things possible — until the next change comes along and…
Chronic Pain
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Focus On Something You Love, Despite Pain
It’s easier said than done, but sometimes we have to try to focus on something we love rather than the pain. Living with constant pain is hard. That’s putting it mildly, isn’t it? Pain creeps into every part of life, often putting a spanner in the works whenever you try…
Guest Posts
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Practical Ways to Support Your Well-Being by Julia Merrill
Small changes in daily life can often have a bigger impact than we realise. In today’s guest post, Julia Merrill shares practical ways to support your well-being, focusing on simple habits, supportive routines, and the importance of looking after yourself in manageable ways. Julia, a retired board-certified nurse practitioner, has…
Chronic Pain
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Simple Comforts For Difficult Pain Days
The simple things in life are sometimes the things that bring most comfort, especially on difficult pain days. In my previous post, I talked about practical things that can help. Today, I want to share some of the small comforts and gentle coping strategies that help me through those tougher…