2024 was a busy year for Simply Social Work! So I thought I would take some time to practice what I encourage many clients to do at some point in the beginning of the new year: reflect on the past year, the highs and lows, and celebrate the wins (big and small) that happened over the last twelve months.

I recently went on a girls’ trip to Walt Disney World with my mother, who I absolutely adore as a traveling partner. It was a wonderful week that we both thoroughly enjoyed, filled with good food, magical moments, and hot sunny weather. Unfortunately, my ADHD and chronic illnesses came, too. This was probably the first time that I truly struggled or was more aware of my symptoms while on vacation, and so I’d like to share some of my experience, strategies, and reflections on traveling as a neurodivergent, chronically ill human.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, I posted a practical tips or words of encouragement to support your mental health every day. In today’s blog, I’m sharing each of those practical tips with you, as well as some examples on how to do them.

Advocacy can often be intimidating and overwhelming (especially when first starting out!), but luckily it’s a skill that can be learned, practiced, and improved like any other. In today’s blog, I share with you some important skills that can help you become a stronger, more effective advocate.

Holidays can be particularly difficult if you are disabled or living with a chronic illness. For many, it is a time of grief, anxiety, or the longing to be more involved than you know you can be. Today’s blog is all about some strategies and ideas to help you navigate the holiday season in a way that supports your physical and mental health.

Reflections about living with a chronic illness on a higher symptom day.

I’ve been asked many times what it’s like to be a caregiver. People who have never experienced the role are curious about what it entails. How it feels to support a friend or loved one, or how it feels if you have made caregiving your career. The questions are always interesting to me, because there are many aspects of my identity that come into play.

Today, I want to share with you some prevention and coping strategies for caregiver burnout. These will be helpful whether you are currently trying to recover from burnout, or know that it’s something you want to get a handle on early. Prevention is so important, but if you’re in the Burnt Out Club - you’re not alone!

Caregiver burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. It occurs when caregivers don’t receive support, or are responsible for more than they are physically or financially capable of doing on their own.