To Share or Not To Share?

Although I haven't yet officially committed to the WEGO Health Blogger challenge to blog each and every day during the month of November, I found myself intrigued by many of their prompts including the "disclosure post": how I decide what I do share and what I don't share with my readers.

The answer is simple: I share everything. Everything I've learned, observed, experienced throughout my journey with dysautonomia. Anything and everything that may possibly help my readers gain insight into their own health crises. I feel it is my job to help fellow sufferers in any way I am able.

My personal philosophy (and my nature) is to be highly self-disclosive. Possibly too self-disclosive at times. I lay it all out there. The good, the bad, the ugly. Having a chronic illness is anything but pretty and I am not so good at sugar-coating things. So again, I share it all. Sure, you personally may have no interest in reading about my persistent acid reflux or no desire to read me ramble on about the inherent injustices of invisible illnesses, but someone might. Some reader out there in the world may identify with something I have written. They may feel the same way I have. Or experienced a similar struggle themselves. And if I can help even one person feel a little less alone, then my efforts were not wasted.

When I began blogging, I didn't anticipate having so many readers, or any at all for that matter. I started this blog as a way to cope. To get my frantic, troubled thoughts out of my head. The act of writing has proven to be therapeutic for me. I feel much better after getting all the crap off my chest. But now that I have been blogging for a little while, Defying Gravity has evolved into a more well-rounded blog complete with fun stuff like giveaways, guest bloggers, product reviews and pop culture recommendations. Over time I would like to start sharing recipes, how to's and maybe even vlogs. But for now I am proud of myself for simply managing to post on a consistent basis and hope to continue blogging everything I can in the future.

Bygones!

A friend of mine recommended a book to me a few years ago called 'Heal Your Body' by Louise Hay. It is a quick read, a handbook of sorts about the emotional roots of physical ailments and illness. While I am a firm believer that most physical problems are no one's 'fault,' I do believe that a lifetime of negative emotions brewing on the inside can contribute to developing a physical health problem or aggravate an existing one. Many health problems (ulcers, heart attacks, etc) are thought to be closely linked to stress. Whether or not this theory holds any testable scientific validity, it certainly couldn't hurt to let go of negative thoughts and energies that often hold us back in life or keep us stagnating in the same place.

Change is healthy, positive change is of course best. I for one, tend to hold onto and bottle up too many negative feelings and it definitely doesn't do me much good. So this year, I am not going to make a long list of resolutions as I have done in the past. I am simply going to try to achieve one: to let go of all negativity. It will be no easy feat, I am sure. But I have to give it a try. I am tired of feeling victimized by my father and his side of the family. Tired of being dismissed by certain relatives here. And of course, very very tired of dealing with chronic illnesses. I feel like I have lost touch with who I used to be: happy, carefree, independent, energetic, fearless. The old me is still in there somewhere just itching to get out, but I have lost touch with her these past four years. I would love to feel like myself again, physically and emotionally. I may not be able to get my physical health back completely, but I feel like I have at least some control over my own emotional well-being. A big part of that I think, is letting go of all the negative thoughts, letting bygones be bygones and trying to get back in touch with the real me.

What is your greatest goal for the new year? If you could only achieve one, what would it be?

Makeup That's Good for You!

Wearing a bit of makeup can not only help boost your self-image and self esteem, it can, believe it or not, also be at least somewhat healthy for your skin. The last few years I have been a low-to-no-makeup kind of girl, but every now and then the dark circles under my eyes remind me that a little concealer would make me feel a lot better and help erase the signs of my illness from my face. When I worked as a television host in front of cameras and bright, unflattering lights, I was never caught without my makeup on. Now, however, it's a much different story. I am hardly ever caught with makeup on. I had forgotten how much I like wearing it, and enjoy playing around with colors.

Since I like to avoid anything with chemicals and heavy synthetics, I was in search of a makeup with more natural ingredients. Tarte cosmetics make the grade. I purchased Tarte's The Jewelry Box from Sephora this winter and have since enjoyed every single shade of eyeshadow, which applies easily and has a smooth finish. I also like their illuminizer and eyeliners. It is all great quality makeup, and best of all, nothing irritated my skin or eyes, so I can wear it without worrying about developing a case of red eyes or breaking out from the chemicals. My only complaint is that the lip gloss in the set is a bit sticky and I don't care for the lip gloss shades against my pale skin. However, overall this product was a great value, great quality, and reminded me how fun makeup (minus the chemicals) can truly be. The fact that Tarte cosmetics also contain a blend of free-radical fighting super fruits, vitamins, minerals and natural plant extracts is an added bonus.