Annie in wonderland

It's amazing how much time you get back when you're intentional about screen time. I can’t go completely screen-free, but I can be mindful of how much I watch and what I engage with. This is something to consider when creating a routine—taking into account your needs, existing supports, and whether you have access to paid support workers or the equivalent in your country. It’s also important to consider what you feel safe having them do. Yesterday, I had a moment that reminded me that, although I am higher functioning, I still need support. These posts serve as much as a reminder for me as they do for others—about routines, being responsible, knowing where your money is going (which I’ll cover in a follow-up post), and speaking up when things go wrong. There are people—both paid and unpaid—who will help if you're willing to advocate for yourself. One key factor in setting up a routine is having a consistent support team. If your care team is constantly changing, it can be f...

Life Update: Managing Health, Learning, and Self-Advocacy This year, I’m focusing on getting my health back on track, working closely with my care teams to improve my daily routines, sleep, and overall well-being. Managing chronic conditions is complex, and while I’ve been lucky to have people in my personal life who support me—getting me to appointments, cooking meals, and helping me navigate everything—it’s still a long road. One of my biggest struggles is sleep . Chronic pain, neuropathy , and Sjögren’s syndrome make it difficult, and while I can distract myself during the day with content creation, crafting, and study, nighttime is another story. The best way I’ve found to describe neuropathy is: Imagine you’ve sat on an ant nest. They’re crawling all over you, and you’re desperately trying to brush them off. But because neuropathy is a nerve problem, you can’t brush them off. Then, your hands start burning and going numb. Since I have new readers, here’s a quick rundown of my ...