Author: Sandra Postma
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Living A Thousand Lives
Why writing enables us to live the lives chronic illness can’t As a spoonie you often feel like you’re missing out on life. But even before I became ill, when I was around ten years old, I wanted to become an actress. Because – and may I quote myself here -: ‘That way I can…
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The Chronic Grief of Chronic Illness
Sometimes healing isn’t about getting better; it’s about making room for life alongside it Having chronic and mental illness isn’t for the faint of heart. Unfortunately, I am faint of heart. Mine is pieced together after having had it repeatedly smashed to the ground by people I trusted explicitly over the last twenty years. Mine…
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When Choosing Is Necessary But Feels Impossible
So many ideas, so little time & energy I admit my adhd has a part to play in this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you related to it as well: the difficulty that comes with choosing. Choosing which story to focus on. Which character to have as a protagonist. Which plot twist. Which ending.…
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Modern vs Past Writers Facing Fierce Criticism
What we have in common with writers like Chaucer, Shelley and Twain is having to deal with critics Writing a book is hard. It takes a lot of time, even more energy and yet more courage to actually publish it. Because on the other side of that publish button, lies a whole jungle filled with…
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What to Say to Your Imposter-Voice
We both get that nagging voice that tells us we’re no good Do you ever get hit by imposter syndrome? That feeling that you’re not good enough at something? The procrastination or paralysis that comes from that, do you recognise that? I’m almost laughing because what a stupid question, of course you do. To be…
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Fears and Their Impact
(Re)Turning to my work as a book coach I had a realisation this weekend. I was hit by yet another anxiety attack bordering on panic, and I didn’t understand where it was coming from. Usually it has something to do with my hormones or symptoms from one of my many illnesses, but this time, I…
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Tears On Christmas Eve
How mental health can stain this time of year The holiday season triggers memories of my worst medical trauma. But I also love the light and the cosiness. It makes this month very complicated for me. It’s why I always cry more this month. Over the loss of more dreams, more parts of my health…
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Where The Spoonie Writer Fights The Economy
How our storytelling goes back centuries where ‘the economy’ does not Productivity. The bane of many a human’s existence. We’ve grown so accustomed to working for our needs that we easily forget that back in the cave days, community was all that mattered and our needs were met without payment. There wasn’t even a word…
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When We Stop Adapting and Show Our Whole Selves
Recognising internalised ableism and claiming the space, access and support we deserve , in writing and in life Today’s topic is a hard one. Because it touches on something so ingrained in anyone with chronic illness that we often don’t notice it until someone points it out: internalised ableism. And once we do receognise it,…