Fatigue my longest ‘frenemy’….tiredness was definitely one of my first symptoms and nearly 10years on it is still very much a part of most my days.

I call it a frenemy as sometimes if I’m really not up to something I won’t lie I pull the ‘I’m just too tired’ card out (mostly on the husband!)

Let’s be honest there’s not much benefit to an autoimmune disease so we got to use the cards we got.

When fatigue does crash my party tho it comes fast and hard with no real rhyme or reason. I can do something one week, let’s say exercise with little to no effect fatigue wise, the next week the same routine will have me floored.

It is for me probably the hardest part of my ms diagnosis, the most unpredictable and a big reason I tend to hold myself back.

Over the years I have learned to accept this part of my life (reluctantly but it is a reality and the harder you push the more you can end up paying).

So let the guilt go, take the help when offered and show yourself some love.

Stop fighting it, take a nap, it’s like two days in one and who doesn’t love that.

The best things I have found are

• Learn to ask for help. Even the healthiest person cannot do everything. We all need a hand from time to time.
• Look at your support circle. Reach out to groups and people in similar situations. It’s impossible to be positive all the time and you need to surround yourself with people who understand/ won’t judge you because sometimes we just need a moan.
• It can sometimes be as good as a long rest. If you say you don’t have the time little ‘micro meditations’ are brilliant 3-5mins maybe 3 times a day amazing and when I can I’ll try to fall asleep listening to something as a way to train the subconscious to be more positive or energetic.
• Gratitude gratitude gratitude. I’m sure you have all heard Karen speak of gratitude the benefits are unreal, grab yourself gratitude attitude journal and start your day with thanks. Day and night be consistent.

Let go of the guilt and the need to do everything for everyone because if you don’t look after yourself nobody gets the best from you really so get you to 110% and it will all fall into place

There is loads of self love/self help advice out there. Everyone is different. This life is definitely not a one size fits all so go figure out what your self love routine is and smash it.

Trust me you are your number one critic and think of all the energy that takes up….let it go you do you