I have gone from the fast lane (think career girl, big job, studying MBA part time, gym bunny, busy social life) to a rather slower lane. Life changed overnight for me six years ago when I became ill with CFS. Career Karen became Sofa Karen - although time on the sofa is getting less and less as my health continues to improve.
I promise openness, honesty, humour and a dose of fabulousness
I write about my journey to carve a life for myself after six years out of 'normal' life. I am open and honest about the challenges of going on this unplanned journey. But I find positivity and humour are the best medicine. This experience has given me a whole new way of looking at the world and I appear to be a walking cliche who has emerged happier.
The goal of Sofa and the City
The goal of this blog is to see if I can write. Can I come up with something interesting to say on a weekly basis? Does anyone want to read what I have to say? And ultimately, does anyone want to give me a column in a magazine?
More about me
I am 40 (God, how did that happen?) and live in a city centre apartment in Nottingham with my wonderful husband. I am a 'city chick' and okay Nottingham is not New York but I should still be best friends with Carrie.
I Love
My husband, travelling, my best friend, yoga, shoes, Green and Blacks, my friends, handbags, reading, my crazy family, Grazia, wine, diamonds, Frappuccinos, people, learning, theatre, my sofa, my hair guru, hypnotherapy, my fur cover, exercising, random conversations with total strangers, laughing and most of all I LOVE ENERGY.
Things I have tried on the recovery road
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Pacing, The Lightning Process, Meditation, Yoga, EFT, The Optimum Health Clinic, Supplements (millions..), The Gupta Amygdala Retraining Programme, Dairy and gluten free, Vegetable juicing, Osteopathy, Hypnotherapy, Sheer Hope and Faith.
And more recently, I have been on The Chrysalis Effect Recovery Programme - which is ultimately the programme that has made the biggest difference to my health. You can read more about how improved my health is at The Reinvention Tour. Hope to see you there...x
Dear Karen
ReplyDeleteCried when I read your blog. I very brave and cool thing to do. A dear friend of mine also has M.E.so understand some of the things you are going through. She went treking in Ireland to try and save herself.Again sounding dramatic but she struggles with the ups and downs. She came back with a horse which she keeps on my yard.
When you were my team leader at Coca cola I always thought how amazing you always and still do look, makes me feel great scrubbing about in my wellies when I see your pics hahaha.
Keep in touch Lucyxxx
OMG!!! We are so alike!! Laughing at the similarities, couldnt be without my fur throw, cappuccinos for me, grazia, handbags, you did the lighting process - i so nearly did! Tried reverse therapy instead, load of money up the spout! Think of all those shoes we could have bought instead! Supplements - ha ha! Your blog is so fantastic - i love it! You are a ray of sunshine karen!
ReplyDeleteVikki xxx
Thank you for your kind words Lucy. I don't want to think about how long ago it is since I worked at Coca Cola!! (12ish...years, I'm thinking.)
ReplyDeleteAnd Vikki, you and I are scarily alike. Yes, the money spent on treatments could have easily brought my wardrobe up to Carrie Bradshaw standards!!
Having just taken a moment out to read this, (I often click on facebook request without actually knowing what they are!) I just want to say how touched I am with your honesty, about what you have been through in the past 6 years. It has made me think how lucky I am to have my health, and will stop complaining I'm bored, skint or fed up up in any way. You are an inspiration, keep doing what your doing and I'm sure I will now be addicted to reading your blogs!! lots of love xxxx Claire xxx
ReplyDeleteHey Karen,
ReplyDeleteYou go on girl! I love individualism, and you got it to a T! It's about the here and NOW, making each day count; especially us women. We are strong, beautiful, "know what we want", living our purpose, bad mammer jammers!
Thanks for sharing your story! <3 U!!
Oh Callie. Your timing is perfect. I needed a little pick me up and look what arrived, a great BIG pick me up!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the lovely words. Here's to making every day count...xx
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to share something with all your readers that my partne and carer, Paul recently wrote. It's a guest post on my blog about the effects of government cuts to disabled benefits. I am sure it is something which will affect a lot of MECFS patients so I want to spread the word. You can read it here: http://coffeehousediscussions.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/the-state-is-disabling-the-disabled/ and then please spread the word by posting it on your blog, Facebook or Twitter. We all need to stick together and stick up for other people with invisible illnesses too.
Katie x