Hello Reader,
We can’t tell what anyone is facing by looking at them.
March 15 is International Long COVID Awareness Day. A year and a half ago, my life partner began living with the invisible disability of Long COVID.
We used to climb mountains together, now we avoid staircases and consider the weight of groceries. He lives with a dynamic disability, an energy-limiting chronic illness that to date has no cure.
Some reactions I’ve heard:
“Get well soon."
"Is he better yet?”
“Mind over matter.”
“Do you think it’s all in his head?”
“Wow, I’ve never even heard of Long COVID.”
"Just push through the pain and start working out…”
Long COVID impacts people differently with a range in severity. The research on Long COVID and ME/CFS (Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) reveals that you can cause great physical damage if you “push through the pain,” a societal approach that anything can be achieved through willpower and force.
How do we attune to our limits and adapt to changes?
My partner practices “pacing,” daily activity management to avoid crashes known as PEM (post-exertional malaise) caused by too much physical, mental and emotional effort. He explores new somatic tools like mindfulness and box breathing.
I curb my protective impulses and recognize his autonomy to decide what he has bandwidth for.
In the Resilience Toolkit, when we practice a tool, we ask:
“Is this working for me?”
“How do I know?”
You learn to sense what is “too much” and what is enough for you. You stop a practice if it’s uncomfortable or if you aren’t sure. You don’t push through pain. Less is more.
We have inherent worth even when we may not produce and participate the way other people expect us to.
Reflection
What experience, identity and/or condition is an integral part of you, but invisible to others? How would you describe that feeling of invisibility? How can you show deeper acceptance to yourself and/or to someone in your circle who may need that?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
I'm eight weeks away from turning in my thesis for my MFA in Creative Writing at Randolph College! I'm still accepting new coaching clients and group facilitations.
Community & Care
The incredible LySaundra Janeé is offering The Write-In, a free virtual creative writing space every Thursday in April for National Poetry Month.
Brian Benson is a caring, wonderful teacher with a new memoir offering for men, (Re)Writing Masculinity.
Soft Pants for Your Mind
I enjoyed this 5 minute video with a somatic tool "Self-Hugging" made by Syd, founder of Firekeepers and a fellow Resilience Toolkit facilitator.
Notes & Citations
If you have thirty minutes, please listen to this Radio Atlantic podcast "Fatigue Can Wreck You," with the brilliant author Ed Yong.
A great article on dynamic disabilities, impostor syndrome and the performance of wellness.
Solve M.E. organization has great resources for patients and caregivers.
Pandemic Solidarity For the Long Future is a Black-led multiracial group with some powerful resources and toolkits.
An NPR article on Long COVID, exercise and PEM.
Emerging Long COVID research out of the Iwasaki Lab, Yale School of Medicine.
The Sick Times is a journalist-founded website and newsletter chronicling the Long Covid crisis.
More on box breathing, or square breathing technique.
Let’s resource! Let’s play! Let’s happen to notice, together.
In peace,
Vanessa Micale
Founder of Poderosa Voz LLC
(she, they, ella)
P.S. You can show your support by sharing this micro-newsletter with a friend, or you can send me a digital tip and treat me to a pastry.
P.P.S. Sharing resources is one of my love languages. Is there a resource related to somatic and creative realms you want to see or you know of? Hit reply and let me know.
