A New Year, A Private Focus, and  Blogging Off…Not Goodbye, but See You Later!

As a new year looms, I have begun thinking about what’s important to me, what’s missing from my life, and what changes I want to make and need to make in 2024.

A Lot of Sharing

I’ve been blogging for eight years now, sharing my chronic illness story, my love story, my personal life in general, and I’ve even had my memoirs published in a full book.

It’s been a lot of sharing!

All the while managing my Facebook support group, volunteering for Arthritis Queensland, moderating some of their online support groups.

I also established a podcast two years ago and have consistently recorded and published episodes once or twice a month.

It’s been a lot of sharing and a lot of work.

Each element is a full-time job in its own right.

In the midst of it all, I’ve had numerous surgeries, medical appointments, setbacks, long hospital stays, and daily pain that at best is always 6/10 with strong pain killers and 9/10 when I’m due for my next dose.

It’s all been a lot to cope with.

I’ve been honest this year about our financial difficulties due to endless out of pocket medical expenses over 10 years. We even made the decision to set up a Gofund me page, which has been supported by so many of our friends, family, and even strangers, but it was also clear some disapproved of this approach which I must admit surprised me and also made me question what people expected you to do when living with a progressive rare disease. NDIS, our national disability insurance scheme is excellent, and I’m so grateful for the support I receive, but it’s not a bottomless pit of money. Each participant is allocated a strict budget that is broken into categories based on assessed needs.

It won’t, for example, pay off our medical expenses personal loan, which was our only means of funding out of pocket expenses prior to NDIS being introduced.

An Open and Closed Book

I have been an open book for so long. That’s partly just my nature. To share opens conversations and makes genuine connections, and I love that.

However, my workload comes at a cost. My occupational therapist thinks I’m burnt out, and I don’t disagree.

I’m exhausted to the point of finding it hard to sleep.

I want to keep giving, sharing, and supporting others, but I need to find a way to do it that preserves my energy, my integrity, and even my sanity.

I still want to be an open book, but I need to close some of it to reclaim space to be private, reflective, and hold on to things extra special to me. I need to protect those things that do not require the scrutiny that comes with a public life.

So 2024 will have a strong private focus.

What Does a Private Focus Look Like?

I’m going to continue writing, but I’m going to return to writing a personal journal. A private space where I can write whatever is on my mind, in any style, and it’s for my eyes only, unless I choose to share it. Before my public writing, I always kept a personal journal, and I loved it. Journalling is healing and cathartic and allows me to express myself in a deeply private way.

I’m going to blog and podcast much less in 2024. I generally blog weekly and publish a podcast episode monthly. I’ll be cutting back and just publishing a blog post with new content when I feel passionate about a topic or need to give an update on significant life events. I’ll maybe publish a podcast every few months, but no promises.

I will post old blog posts that were popular over the years. Most blog readers forget what they’ve read if it was over 12 months ago, so I may as well get value from the 300 plus posts I have written.

My major focus in terms of social media will be on my support forum, Medical Musings with Friends, and my volunteer online work with Arthritis Queensland. Maintaining this work is so important to me as it provides instant connection and support for others needing understanding, and it’s tailored to their exact needs at that moment. I think that’s priceless and so rewarding.

I have written so much on “how to live the best life possible, despite chronic illness.” There is a library of  work for old and new followers to rumage through on this blog….plus my book is always available to purchase. Details are at the end of this blog post.

If my followers miss my regular blog posts, then that’s a good thing. I’ll know it’s worth ramping it up again at some point, but the effort required to promote blogs and podcasts, and even my book, takes a lot of work and the hours spent on that could be better used making my support forum the best it can be for others.

I’m also going to be changing a lot of my medical team this year, and I need time to do that well and make the right choices. It’s a critical task for my well-being and preparation for my future care needs.

As my husband ages, his needs are increasing, and I need to be present for him just like he has been for me for years.

Seasons change, and so does our life focus. This is a seasonal change for me and one I’m excited to explore.

See You Later

Change can be daunting but also exciting, especially when it’s a change you need and want to make.

So this is “see you later” rather than goodbye. I hope all my followers and readers do have a very happy and safe New Year. I hope you follow your heart and your dreams and see what windows of opportunity open for you in 2024.

Lots of love, and see you later,

Sam xx

Medical Musings with Friends

If you’re looking for genuine support, care, understanding and friendship, you are so welcome to join my closed Facebook support forum, Medical Musings with Friends . It’s a safe place to connect with others living with chronic and complex diseases, who truly understand the daily challenges. A warm welcome awaits.

My Book

My book “My Medical Musings”, is published by Imaginewe Publishers and available now to purchase as a paperback or e-book.

Here are the links to online retailers if you would like to purchase the book:

Imaginewe Publishers

Amazon

Koorong

Booktopia

Book Depository

Angus and Robertson

Barnes and Noble

Blackwells

If you would like an audible version of my blog, please check out my Podcast, Medical Musings With Sam

I’m also a Contributor at “The Mighty”. You can check out my published articles at My Author Page

I also write @ Blogs by Christian Women

I’m a member of the Chronic Illness Bloggers Network the Grace Girls Facebook Group and the Showered In Grace Group

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