This week has been a challenging one – I’ve been physically, emotionally and mentally drained. My pain levels were high, my fatigue severe and I could only focus on my flaws. I lost my ability to smile. Talking to friends really helped me, they listened and offered advice and hugs. Thank you, I am blessed.
It got me thinking – what’s a life with no joy, positivity or self-appreciation? Sometimes we get lost in our health problems, in pleasing others, money worries, work demands and family and relationship issues, we often forget about those things in life that make us happy.
Spending time being good to yourself might help you discover a more positive, peaceful and happy you.
It’s important for our health and well-being to take time out to relax, taking time out for yourself is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Focusing on putting others first in your life often leads to you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and tired. Giving yourself some time alone can destress and revitalize you. Being in constant pain and feeling fatigued is a challenge and sometimes Fibromyalgia fighters need a ‘cuddle’ day/evening/hour – that time when you need to retreat from the world, take care of yourself and recharge your batteries until you are ready to re-emerge and fight again.
A friend of mine, Lyndsey, has chronic back pain, this morning we talked and giggled about what we would put in our chronic pain cheer up kit, we eventually called it our ‘cuddle basket’.
I was inspired by our chat and in preparation for any future much needed cuddle time I fetched an unused basket from storage and filled it with my cheer up kit. Here is my overflowing Fibromyalgia cuddle basket…
- Kindle
- Chocolate
- Scented candle
- Comfy blanket
- Tea tree face mask
- A good movie
- Family photos
- Sanctuary body lotion
- Lavender pillow mist
- Coffee
- Homemade lemon scrub
- My favourite perfume: Gucci Guilty
- Art therapy colouring book
- Comfy PJs
- Clinique liquid facial soap
- Homemade foot scrub
- Sleep balm
- Homemade soap
- DVD boxset
- Sensuous body scrub
- Microwave wheat bag – my owl
- Hot chocolate
- Jellies
- Thick comfy socks
- Deep repair for my hair
- Heating oil treatment for my hair
- Strawberry and raspberry herbal tea
- Satsuma body mist
- Fragrance oils for my aroma diffuser and humidifier (I love Satsuma and also sandalwood and ginger)
As you can see I’m more than ready for some cuddle time.
What would you put in your cuddle basket?
Keep smiling :)
Claire
x
Another addition would be sights, sounds and smells of the ocean. I have just had a wonderful walk on the beach this morning with my gorgeous dog. The sun was shining and it was so uplifting but some days the walk is not possible!
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I am in desperate need of sleep so if I could I would put sleep in it
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This reminds me of the comfort box I created years ago. I still have it, but it hasn’t been active for quite a while. You have inspired me to revive it and blog about it. I’m new to your blog, glad to have found it, I also have Fibromyalgia, alongside other conditions.
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Deep Relief from Young Living. It’s the only thing I’ve found to really relieve my fibromyalgia aches and pain!
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This is quite a collection of great things! An impressive gift basket that would surely be accepted with gratitude
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Hmmmm, a soft, furry blanket, some fresh pjs, a heating pad, chai tea, and a stuffed monkey to cuddle with. Oh, and maybe an eye mask–doesn’t it always chafe to try and nap or rest when it’s daylight outside and the curtains aren’t quite cutting it? I hope you get your R&R time soon!
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I’m sorry you’ve been experiencing severe pain and fatigue. I’m glad though that you are still able to look at the positives and make this inspiring list of what you’d put in your pain comfort basket. I would put in many of the same things.
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Oh I am sorry you have had a difficult week – I hope you are feeling a bit better now. This comfort basket looks amazing. I love it all! Kaz x
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Very nice basket. Claire I love reading your post.
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Thank you :) x
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Now this is the cutest basket ever!!! I would so love to get something like this as a gift!
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Hope you are feeling better now and what a great idea.
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I am so sorry to hear about your pain! I think your positive attitude in finding healthy ways to deal with the emotional side of pain is commendable! I bet you have just helped many other people out there find a way to lift their spirits! <3
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Thank you Stacey for your lovely comment :) x
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Love all the products you chose! I’d definitely make sure I had Hersheys chocolate, it’s one of the only chocolate bars that truly makes me happy and lifts my spirits.
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let me think… chocolate, coffee, some good book, maybe a Sudoku puzzle, my fave mug, fluffy slippers and woolen socks and some relaxing tunes to keep my going ;-)
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The cuddle basket is such an amazing idea! I’d loads of chocolate, ice cream (of course it can’t stay in the basket) and comfy thick socks, slippers and fresh pjs
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Your cuddle basket really covers everything! No matter what health (or other) issues you have, like you said, it’s so important to have some time for yourself!
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It is :) In this busy world we get caught up in pleasing others and often neglect ourselves. Time for some self love I think with a cuddle basket :) x
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This is such a beautiful gift idea! I might add some essential oils in there. I think you covered everything pretty well.
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this is so thoughtful and kind to give someone i would probably give it to my mom with some gift cards so to the spa. Thanks
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Oh wow this is such a sweet idea. My friend actually suffers from fibro and I’m inspired to create one of these for her after reading your post xxx
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This is such a nice idea! I would love to be on the receiving end of this!
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What a great idea! You’ve got some lovely stuff in there too.
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