Happy 2022 Everyone!! I hope you are doing well and have had at the very least a relaxing festive period. Here we are back again for another new year and hopefully with lots of happiness on the horizon.

To kick start Me, Myself and Chronic Illness blog for the year, I thought I would follow what I did for my first post of 2021 and that is a chronic illness gift haul. For anyone who isn’t aware, hauls are something I have seen YouTubers do whereby they share what gifts they had for Christmas – but my version of course is sprinkled with some chronic illness cheer. If you would like to read what I got last year check out my first chronic illness gift haul here.

Before I begin I would like to re-mention what I said last time – gifts are not about expense they are about thought and therefore are personal to the individual. I would also like to say that like with anything you read, you should always check with your doctor first about trying any new product, our bodies are all different and as a result what is helpful to one person may be completely inappropriate for another.

Items to keep me warm

I actually used this header last year and that is because I am often gifted items to keep me warm due to being so cold! This last year I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s which as a result leaves me with incredibly cold hands and feet. With this in mind for Christmas I received multiple items to keep my feet toasty including fluffy socks, slipper boots, slipper boot socks (I guess a mix between a boot and a sock) and probably the best invention ever for a cold cat like me – an electronic foot warmer. Let’s just say when the feet go in they do not want to come out!

Other items to keep me warm included pyjamas and a long hot water bottle – ideal for putting in my bed.

Items to keep me entertained

As we know chronic illness life can be a merry go round at the best of times, so it is really important to find things to distract ourselves. I am an avid book reader when my illnesses allow, so I was thrilled to receive a few books including one detailing the life of my favourite artist.

Last year I also discovered my love for cross stitch (I say it like it was an immediate love, but in all honesty it took me several goes to start enjoying it) and again this is often energy and symptom dependent, but when I can do it, it brings me completely in the zone. For Christmas I received some lovely cross stitch kits and patterns to enjoy at my own pace, as well as a lovely craft box to hold all my bits and bobs in.

A Weighted Blanket

I have been umming and arrghing for a long while about getting a weighted blanket, and read various reviews on whether they are good for chronic illness or not. I know some people find them really relaxing whereas others have found them painful for their bodies, so it has definitely been a mixed bag of opinions. Let’s just say I think this really is probably a product based on individual preferences.

I have yet to use my blanket, but I am really happy with getting the opportunity to use this product. It may not be the best for my Fibromyalgia, but I am really keen to see if it makes a difference with my anxiety and comfort levels – and who knows perhaps my Tourette’s? Either way I am really excited to find out and report back.

Sunglasses

Since my diagnosis of UCTD being in the sun has become a prevalent issue for me as has protecting my eyes from any harmful lights. Being gifted a proper pair of UV protection sunglasses is not only a thoughtful gift, but a necessary one.

Other Items

• Diary – Great to keep track of my appointments, blood tests and medication ordering
• Money – Always a much needed gift when living a chronic illness life
• Make-up/Clothing – To make me feel like a functioning human being even if at times I am far from it

All the gifts I received last Christmas (I almost fell into the trap and put this year) are gifts I am incredibly grateful for because they are gifts which aid in helping me manage my symptoms whilst also factoring in I am more than chronic illnesses.

Gifts aren’t about expense or quantity, nevertheless I wanted to show a realistic haul representing a life like mine and that could give ideas which may be of benefit in the future.

How did your festive season turn out? Are there any chronic illness friendly gifts you received that would benefit others? If you would like to share I would love to hear them in the comments.

Here’s to a fab 2022 for us all 💕

Sarah xx