A New Season ahead

Welcome to a new season of Life with Sweetestmoondust. And sorry for being away for such a long time. There has been so much going on for me at the moment in the last year, almost a year. Have the first quarter. It was because we were getting things ready to start moving again.

Due to life. And the rent and everything else you can imagine. As things have been going for the last year or so, especially with COVID and everything else beforehand. because of various things as well, including moving. I was trying to look for a new place before Christmas last year.

The move at the end of the first quarter of this year, the second quarter was also settling in. And we're here for a little down. So on Third quarter hair and we're just been here since March.

And it's because I'm just doing it for my phone because I haven't got the space. To use everything that I've got to record my podcast or write. This season is going to be all about different things regarding my life. And regarding cerebral palsy and endometriosis.

life is on a day to day basis for everything of both with both, as well as everything else.

I'm going to be doing a few more podcast episodes. In the next few weeks or so. I'm trying to catch up with everything else that needs to be done. And I hope you can join me. It and see you then.

A Normal Day in the life of Sweetestmoondust

I'm going to talk about what I do on a day-to-day basis blog and what I wanted to show you.  First of all, I set the alarm for 8 o'clock. The night before, I get up between half past eight and eight o'clock. because of my disability and it depends on what I've been up to. 

So if I am tired, then I ignore the alarm and carry on sleeping and feeling better. However, on an average day, I get up at about eight to eight-thirty and then do my skincare. Then I will get dressed and if I find it difficult, in the morning, for example, I've had a bad night, I'll ask my other half to help me because it's easier than actually doing it and quicker. 

Although I can do a lot of it, not all. Then I'll go downstairs and have breakfast.  breakfast will normally be a Herbalife shake or a breakfast bar or something like that. And sometimes I have cereal. Depending on what's going on is not always the same and then I will get on with a thing. 

Bit me, time is just a bit of silly me time. I'm playing a game or two on the phone, and my other half does a bit of what he wants to do for the morning. Then I will do more of my stuff, like starting to do my radio show. Like talking for the radio show for the day. 

I get my show for a week ahead. So I'm ready for that as well because it doesn't always happen that I can be available. So I tend to do it a week ahead and then I will work on my blog or have a bit of lunch. And then I'll go back and do what I need to do. 

As I said, it'll be so in the afternoon and after lunch. It'll be like having, social media work doing all the stuff like that for my blog and my podcast and radio shows. And also working on my blog and see. what my books are up to because I also write books, so they need to be advertised. 

I try to do a little bit of advertising for that as well, so that's all having to be done. And then it's usually about half-past four. I end up doing things like work clearing up, getting it cleared out, and getting ready for the kids. And when they come back from school because they've already left before I even get up most days because it's just easier that I then my other half has got one thing to cut focus on rather than three. 

So it's easier and then we'll have dinner together. All of us, you know, try and catch up on how the day's been doing what we've got. You know what we've done for school. What we've done each day and then we will be doing. Um, meanwhile half like to catch up together. 

We might have time to watch a movie or we might do a but you know, I'll read a book rather and he'll be watching a movie quietly or will be doing stuff for a couple of streamers that we know on Twitch and support them out a bit as well. They are rog3rbot and martocodo

And so that's what we do sometimes, as well. And that is mainly what I am doing on an average day. And if I'm not doing those sorts of things, it could be that I'm taking care of myself, bits and pieces. 

For example, yesterday it was my nails

and I have cerebral palsy. I can't have my nails painted by myself and I need someone else to do it. The same goes for other bits and pieces that I need to get done. So, I do that for myself, by someone else because I can't do myself care for that section. 

So it doesn't matter. So um and I'm hoping you enjoyed this sort of quick chat about what I'm doing on a day-to-day basis because I want to maybe do more like this and a few sort of reviews about it. So thanks and I will be putting pictures up maybe in the notes for what I'm reviewing. 

If I do a review of something, um, for example, I've got a few shopping hauls that I want to put out. So whether I'll be on my Instagram page or my Twitter page as well or Facebook even and that's the way around things as well that I will be using. 

So I have to do all those as well as advertising doing those hours, I get. So, you're talking more roughly about 10 in the morning, I'll start and finish around half 4 pm as full with a break and, and so I could be doing anything and everything between running the house and doing the social stuff that I like to do and advertising cerebral palsy showing that. We do things without too much of a hassle, but we can have a relatively normal life despite having difficulty of some sort.

Wow

This is a positive quote to keep in mind.

A strong quote to think

This is seriously an amazing quote to stay positive. It doesn't matter what age or anything you are.

Definitely something to think

This is something that everyone can do no matter if you are disabled or not.

Think about it

This is something to inspire to daily

Moving forward with Cp

Ok so you have a child with Cp:

Or you are a young person with the condition. There will be lots of people who are older than you. These people have the best intention in the world and yet get things wrong particularly about your condition. These people may be members of your family but don’t understand the condition. They may think they don’t. You must realise this.

Comments they make:

• Close your legs.

• Come on hurry up!

• You can do better than that!

• Pick your feet up.

• Stand still.

These are just some of the ones I have encountered growing up. Even now decades later these confuse me.

You may wonder why I say that. You’ll see.

Growing up and feeling out of place!

Whether you are a single child/part of a bigger family that you live with. You are a member of the family who is reading this with another member with cerebral palsy. Take in mind what is said as it does not matter what people say. There is always a sense of being out of place because we are not classed as normal. There are signs of it in every part of life. This includes clothes, looks, dreams, work, movies,  how we eat and drink, how we speak. But the thing is we are the same as everyone else but parts of our body don’t work the way we want. That can be a real pain sometimes. I want to make sure that everyone understands that it is not always easy to do, what is expected of them because it is not part of their dream. it could be completely different to what is expected. 

What is normal?

What is the question of being normal? Because being normal mean nothing? As a human being. I would have thought being able to give some purpose to the world and each other was better than not being able to do anything or being criticised. Some people who think that being different is not ok are wrong. Wanting to be normal is is a perception and that means being yourself is not acceptable. There are options to be sure to show that being yourself is better than being what everyone else wants. Because it proves that you are what you are meant to be no matter what.   the whole system of being normal is also being portrayed too much on TV  and film because there are not people enough people should I say who are betraying people who are different and this is where the perception becomes the norm.

Growing up!

Personally, I had very much the perception of wanting to be normal but then questioning that whole thing because I was on my own a lot. I watched a lot of TV and films where sexism and racism were the norms and it is not in my eyes until I was older that it made me question myself because  I am different because of cerebral palsy. Growing up despite being an only child and was treated no different than everyone around me. I found it incredibly difficult because I thought I was normal and was able to do stuff but later found that actually, I couldn't. And that made things very difficult and depressive for me because of the feeling of inadequacy.

Trying to be a people pleaser and follow their example makes it very hard on yourself and I have learnt this myself. Now shows that actually being yourself is stronger than r following the Sheep in human Society as a whole. Although at times of medical interventions such as the pandemic right now it is best to follow the guidelines. however, it does not stop you from being yourself within the confines of society.

Teaching people that being different is ok!

Being yourself and showing that being different is out is ok and good for the environment and for Humanity shows that equality in the human race can be done. It may sound stupid but there are still people who perceive that different is not ok and it makes it harder for those of us who want our own dreams and goals to be heard very hard to actually be heard to get what we want within our life.

What next?

What Next? is the question that should be on everyone's mind right now but in every situation. However, cerebral palsy and other disabilities need to be shown that they are accepted and we are valued because whatever is said meant by family members and others make us feel that we're not. So what is next? They might even try and say that but they're trying to help but actually, they're not! The best thing for you to do is firmly but politely say sorry I can't do that. Because the more people learn about the condition and other conditions will be able to be more accepting of other people.

Final thoughts

My final thoughts on this would be to educate people and educate people continually until it is done. however, I don't think it will be at least in my time but hopefully, in my family's next generation. There is such a long way to go to make equality for everybody on this planet.

What does 2022 have for me?

What I think it has?

I think the new year has a lot of good things happening. Not everything is going to be what I wanted it to be. That's ok though just the same as 2021. 

There, as I said, have been lots of changes in the way things are regarding my disability. I think that the changes will be positive for the future to a certain degree. I'm hoping to have the final place, but it may not happen. We'll see. That's ok though because there is always going to be positive and negative. No matter what.

What do I want from 2022 ?

All I want is a way of being able to be safe and yet not stressed out too much. I know that this is going to be a difficult year ahead with the way that my family is going to have a head regarding their own situation such as GCSEs and a new place. We don't know what could actually be happening. We just have to take it month by month. 

So that means that we have to think about what is going on each month and make a small plan so that we have a monthly plan rather than a big goal for the entire year as something we can grasp on to. 

And that's what I think is going to be something that is going to help me as a person with anxiety. But it's also a lesson that I need to learn.

What I don't want from 2022?

I don't want to disabled person to be so stressed out that I'm panicking in a day-to-day situation for everything that has to be dealt with. 

I can manage if things are the occasional hiccup, but if there are lots of things that are causing issues then I will be full of anxiety and not wanting to do anything and instead wanting to hide so that is a negative side of 2022. Knowing what my disability holds in general makes it a lot harder at times to realise what we can do and what can happen and what help we have available.

What will I be doing in 2022?

I will be getting ready for the new home sorting things out to get to that stage and before setting down hopefully in the new final home but we can't confirm or any of that for the next year until the end of the year.  I'm going to be tentative about moving in this time next year, ready for the new place. 

What next?

My plan for now is to take each task that makes the future safe and secure for me and my family. As I know that the future can be very uncertain yet I can make it as safe as I possibly can. That is all I can do for now.

 

Three weeks with Herbalife. My take on the big Health Lifestyle Company

What is Herbalife?

Herbalife is a lifestyle system that was started in 1980 and has health supplements ranging from protein shakes, vitamin supplements, bars and more. It has a big following and sponsors various sports teams and individuals such as La Galaxy, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Israel Olympic Committee just to name a few. 

It is a multi-level networking company that is introduced to members by other members by talking about the benefits of the supplements etc. Then getting people to be representatives for the company and introducing more people to the products and lifestyle. 

There are lots of companies that do this, such as Forever Living, Juice Plus, Younique, Fredric Mohra (FM World). 

I am not here to diss the way the companies are run as I have tried many of them as a distributor and found that way of work is just not for me. 

However, as a person who is very conscious of what I should eat because of the way my weight also affects my joints and what agility I have left because of my cerebral palsy. I was very curious to know more about the company. And what they could do for me.

How did I get to know about the business?

Originally I saw a box with the name and also noticed that here in the UK the company was sponsoring the Paralympic team. During the original lockdown in 2020, I joined a Facebook page about cerebral palsy and got to know many people who have the same condition. But various types and stages depending on the person etc. One of whom is the Paralympian David Smith MBE. When he mentioned Herbalife and that he uses the products himself.

I have been sceptical about any lifestyle products that weren't being advertised by a person with the condition. So knowing someone else who has a similar condition using these products. Also seeing that the Paralympic team was using them intrigued me.

What happens first?

First of all, I was asked what I wanted as a goal and what I was eating generally. Also how much was I spending on lunchtime food?  From this, David worked out that having 2 shakes a day if I wanted to lose weight or 1 if I was thinking of maintaining. Originally I was thinking of losing weight but I wasn't sure.

What next?

After much deliberation on my part and life getting in the way. Along with David winning a gold medal in the Paralympics 2021 with  I was ready to take the next step in what I wanted to try. 

Then what?

After the break and life getting in the way. I got back in touch with David Smith and said I was ready to start. We recapped on what were my goals. At which point I said I wasn't exactly sure so wanted to trial the shakes on the whole. Especially as I wasn't sure about what would happen because I have endometriosis as well. And that is affected too by what I eat and drink.

Once we agreed that it was to be a general trial of the shakes he asked me what flavours I wanted. I replied with chocolate and cookies and cream.

The next day!

The following day my order arrived and there was so much more than I expected and included everything I needed. Such as the shake cup, measuring tape, measuring scoop and cookery book. As an extra David had sent me some skincare.

To make the shakes!

To make these it is completely easy. All you have to do is add 1 scoop of the actual shake mix and a scoop of the protein powder to 300ml of water. You can add ice too but I didn’t. My favourite flavour is cookies and cream. I was told you can mix the 2 flavours to make a 3rd of Chocolate Cookies and Cream but haven't as of yet.

What I did next!

Over the next week, I tried to follow his suggestion of having 2 shakes a day however because of added complications I have decided to just stick with having one shake a day when I am super busy as they are the most compatible with me as I have been poorly with other types. 

If you are interested in them please don’t hesitate to contact me.

So the year has nearly finished! What a crazy one.

Oh my goodness what a crazy year this has been. A quarter of which has been in yet another lockdown because of the pandemic. If you didn’t know about it, where have you been?

This year has been a year of almost normality yet not! There have been things that have been shut, new rules to follow set by the government. Then more changes as some of the rules were reversed. And as I write more things are happening.  In the sense that other countries are opening up for us to travel to but not everywhere.

What has this year given me?

This year has given me a real sense of change in myself. Yes, I have cerebral palsy but the fact I moved house at the end of 2020. That was a big change in its self after 23 years in the same place. It was a positive move although there were challenges.

What hasn't this year given me?

The biggest thing is that it hasn't allowed me to get the dream home the way I wanted but that's ok. There are more changes ahead but they are for the future of me and my family. 

These have to be done in stages so that that's ok.

What do I think the rest of the year has got for me?

This year has got me a few lovely things as well as a few awesome memories. It also has been able to have some brilliant experiences that are still continuing.

and some not so good ones. But that's ok. Life has got to give both sides of things because that's what we as humans, disabled or not need as well as the food and drinks that we need to have to survive. But I'm not sure what the last few weeks are going to give me.

What has the year taught me?

I'm not sure about that point but I'm learning all the time and sometimes the lessons are not finished in one day. They may take weeks or months to actually learn the things that. But that's alright and it doesn't matter how long the lessons are needed. However, these lessons are not necessarily wanted despite being taught them anyway. And that's fine.

What did I want to learn?

That's an interesting question to have but I'm not sure exactly. The fact that I'm learning a lot more about how things have been and can be. These are long term lessons that I personally need to learn. Everyone's different but the lessons that are taught are universal ones that everyone should know. yet not everyone knows them all.

So what's next?

Who knows what is around the corner life has for me in the next year but I'm beginning to learn that despite all the best intentions things can and do go wrong even with planning.

Ok so what now! Questions to ponder as a future is uncertain

 I have been quiet for a long time, and things have been a bit of a stretch. I have been thinking during this period that I should be reversing a few of the ideas that I had for this outlet. I am here to give an idea of what life is like with the condition.

Everyone assumes that everyone wants to have their place that is their castle. Yes, that is the case to a certain extent but when living with a condition such as cerebral palsy life gives you curve balls constantly.

Certain things can be a trigger an overload of anxiety and panic. that cause a circle of stress and anxiety.

These include house maintenance in any form, bills that are not anticipated and accidents. For me, it was the uncertainty of what the future holds for me as a person who has cerebral palsy.

Doing any amount of exercise or general existence can cause wear and tear on the body meaning that there is no certainty of what is going to happen in the future. As I have mentioned, in other posts the condition wears the body, 3 to 5 times faster than the average person.

So having to deal with the stress of the condition on top of trying to comply with what everyone else wants. It is a tough option that is not always what a person can cope with. So it may come across as a selfish way but it is part of the way a person has to deal with self-care.

Knowing when Change is coming

 How are you dealing with the world right now?

This has been one of the most hideous years ever for almost everyone in the world. The worst I can think of was a century ago when the Spanish flu killed 50 million people worldwide.

Now the world has changed because of this new virus. The number of changes that have altered the environment and social actions of people because of Covid19.

Everyone is struggling in some way some are even rebelling. These situations are scary for everyone understandably but we need to stand together. It will get easier with time and resources but these again will take time to find a vaccine or cure

How are you dealing with the situation at home or work?

There has been some kind of stagnation, which in a way has been a good thing. It has made people breathe and realise what is important both emotionally and physically. Yet others just don't care or don't believe what is going. Because they think it's a hoax but it's not.

It is ok you are not alone!!

I have had so much downtime because of what's been going on and have not felt like writing very much. It has certainly made things difficult because of the space where I am as well as emotionally.

It is super crowded especially as there are four of us in the place. Which is a tiny Victorian townhouse with incredibly steep stairs that I find hard to walk! I feel trapped at times here at the moment. So feel low at times and I am sure you do too at times in your own home? You can always contact me.

Don't worry too much about things I'm the same!

However, as facets of the world is gradually going back to some kind of normal with some modifications like the use of masks and hand sanitiser when out in public places like shops or using public transport.

Things are moving extremely gradually towards the future. I am kind of excited about it but wish it would hurry up. Because I would feel more confident in a place which suits me better. But you know what we are all in this together. And that is important to realise, we are all touched in some way or another.

Please don't forget to contact me if you are feeling low.

love and peace

xx