My 2019 Successes While Living with Chronic Illness

Children's author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year's resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity - what DIDN'T get done or achieved in the previous year.  Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution!
 
As some of you may be aware, my daughter had to have major surgery at the end of last year (2018). As she helps me out a lot due to me having Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic encephalomyelitis, I ended up having to help her as her health deteriorated before her surgery, and then in her recovery after her surgery. Only problem was, I needed help and didn’t yell loud enough and ended up having a CFS crash. I had to resign from my part-time job and have been unable to return. Initially, I would get out of bed, see if my daughter was okay, get food, and within twenty minutes be back in bed.

Gradually I was able to stay up for longer and longer periods of time. My daughter has recovered. I have not.

As of today 30th December 2019, I am far better than I was one year ago. However, I am not recovered from the CFS crash. However, as you read through this list, and look at the photos, there is a bigger story. I have made the most of every minute that my mind was clear, and I could be upright. I didn’t waste a second. There are still some days I spend a lot of time in bed as I just have to be horizontal. Once I start working on a project, I may only have half an hour, or it might be two. Then I have to lay down again. Some days are better than other. It’s unpredictable. The fact I got all this done, and more is amazing to me.    
 
Here is my list for 2019.
 
Writing:
I successfully launched my book, ‘Raymund and the Fear Monster’ with the help of my friend and illustrator, Ester de Boer.

I participated in my first book blog tour with my first book. It was fun being interviewed and not doing the interviewing. (Though I like that too).  It was also exciting seeing our book with its own book trailer. I lost count how many times I watched it. It went down well at school visits too.

I had a story shortlisted in a competition and my story was traditionally published in an anthology and it was chosen to be read on radio.

My two stories, Supermoon and Fairy Dust and Freya and the Fear Monster were accepted and published in the Flip book of the Creative Kids Tales Story Collection Vol. 2 Bump in the Night and Enchanted.

I was asked to do readings of my book at different schools and do an author Q & A.

I found someone to help me with video editing — Nat K.

I managed to do a reading of Raymund for my Youtube channel and get it up.

I caught up with some amazing authors and illustrators while they were visiting schools in the area.

By Christmas, I had three books out. Two anthologies and my own book.
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Illustration:

I painted more this year and learned heaps.

​I sold my first painting.

I had nine illustrations published in the Flip book of the Creative Kids Tales Story Collection Vol. 2 Bump in the Night and Enchanted.

My artwork was on posters.

I received a contract as a direct result of the publisher seeing my illustrations.

I’m being mentored by Nina Rycroft through this picture book.
 
Personal:
I went on my first holiday in years with a friend.
I became Street Library Ambassador and spearheaded the Street Library Project for my area to see many Street Libraries set up.

I'm so excited to see what 2020 will bring my way.