Wednesday 1 January 2014

Hopes for 2014

Wow. What a year 2013 was. I thought 2012 was my worst year in history for my health however 2013 managed to trump it by far. I reached an all new low of constant skin infections, finding out about the effects of topical steroid addiction and how the withdrawal process is one of the most shockingly horrendous and disgusting procedures that one can undertake, and that it's all thanks to doctors, who are supposed to make us better yet in fact make us worse.

So much has been sacrificed because of my health; friendships, happiness, the happiness of others, life in general etc. This year I think the only possible route is up, up and away, to leave the past behind me and to open new doors that aren't so exclusively interlinked with my health.

It has now been 5 years since I have truly suffered with "eczema" and I feel as though I've wasted so much time succumbed to my illness that I've lost sight of how life should be. It shouldn't all be doom and gloom as it has been. Sure, I've still managed to achieve a lot in that time and I am thankful that it has actually offered me some great opportunities that it otherwise wouldn't have but it has also prevented me from doing so much too. I think this is the year that I give my health the finger and try to find true happiness, to finally become confident in myself and my abilities and to move forwards.

I have so many regrets of opportunities missed that I can only blame on my health and my own selfish nature, and in turn have lost sight of who I really am and which direction I would like my life to go in. I feel as though I have failed myself in ways and that I should have experienced so much more in life by now.

This year I'm going to stop blaming myself for my shortcomings as I think that is the only way that I can ever truly move forward. I intend to become a much more positive person and help others around me whilst striving to be the best version of me that I can be. I want to grab life by the horns and just live it. I want to get out there and do stuff, see new places and meet new people. I want to take risks and be carefree (or as carefree as I dare to be) and to just find a sense of true happiness.

I want this year to be the best yet, or at the very least, better than last year.

Here's to a new year of challenges and happiness.

I wish you all the very best xxx


Shane finished his 1000km challenge on New Years Eve, running his 53rd race and reaching a total of 1093.48km. It has been tough year for both of us with him running every weekend when I felt I needed him most but it just shows how determined he is to make a change and to raise money for those suffering dearly from eczema. Fortunately the sun bleached out my face but I think you can still tell that I'm much better than I was this time last year. Here's to an even bigger improvement for the end of this year!

5 comments :

  1. Hi Jenny,

    I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience and putting it all on this blog! It's so brave of you and it has been extremely insightful for me. I'm not going through TSW but I have very recently experienced my first severe flare up on the face, which got infected twice in the courtesy of 3 weeks! It's still in the process of healing but it's made me rethink my lifestyle a lot and I'm in the process of making big changes.

    I really wish you all the best for this year and hope that it brings you better health and happiness! Don't stop writing and stay strong, you are doing so well.

    Niki xx

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    1. Thank you Niki, that's very kind of you to say :) Sorry to hear you're going through a rough patch right now. Skin infections are the worst, especially when they're predominantly on the face. & don't worry I have no intentions to stop writing, I want to help people as much as I can.

      All the best,


      Jenny x

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  2. Hi! I somehow stumbled upon your blog and just wanted to say that you`ve been doing such a great job of doing all that you can to help your eczema! You`re such a trooper!! :)

    Eczema is not an easy thing - and it`s so good that Shane can help raise money for such a great cause!

    Thanks again for posting up your blog.

    If you`d like to read my eczema journey of healing, I also share it here: http://www.primephysiquenutrition.com/how-i-overcame-severe-eczema-when-doctors-said-there-was-no-cure/

    Take care and I`ll be reading your blog :)
    xo

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    1. Hi Abby, thanks for stopping by and thanks for your kind words! Your story is so interesting... especially the fact that eczema didn't bother you until your mid teens as it did for me. Most people claim to have suffered from it since birth so it's refreshing to hear of someone else who suffered later. I'll definitely be reading your blog too :)
      All the best,

      Jenny

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  3. Hey Jenny! I found your blog back in September when I started my withdrawal. Thank you so much for your blog and pictures, we have a lot of similar interests and habits. I've always been rather pale and gothy, so it was comforting to find someone who understood how I felt on that aspect. I also have a tendency to pick at my skin. :(

    Congrats to Shane! What an amazing feat! I hope to see a lot of healing photos this year from you. ;)
    I wish Health and Happiness to you guys this new year!

    -CatRStephens

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