I was finally diagnosed, just last month, with hypothyroidism and what we think is Hashimoto's (an "autoimmune" disorder). This diagnosis came after years of debilitating fatigue and a slew of other awful symptoms. It completely changed the course of my life, as I haven't been able to either keep a regular job or throw myself whole-heartedly into my artistic work. The effects have been devastating in ways it's hard to even communicate. I almost couldn't graduate from university (it worked out in the end), lost a lot of relationships, and have been financially stressed for more than 4 years straight.
I am now finally able to start treating it, but it will likely take about 3-6 months to have things steady, and it will always be something I have to monitor.
So, that was great news, although also painful knowing that so many hard years didn't have to be that way--but more on that another day.
But I was still a bit stuck, and concerned about my life and my finances and my future, when my mom of all people told me about Steemit (seriously, we know it's inspired when it comes from her, and she would agree! She is not computer-savvy or on the cutting edge of tech at all. But she is smart, and she loves me--that truly is what matters the most.). She has been trying hard to think of something I could do to help me currently and help me get my artistic work off the ground.
When you've got nothing to lose, you jump right in. And so I did, with both feet and a LOT of my time.
I was confident that this could be a place where I could commit to spending time, because I could do it authentically as a writer and an artist, and that that would be welcome and celebrated. The possibility of money of course was motivating, but only because it was also something I could see myself doing genuinely, that would give me life rather than exhaust me like most things. In my worst health times, I have somehow almost always been able to do my writing and artistic work, even if I don't really have it in me even to stand and wash the dishes (yes, it has been that bad at points).
The truth is, I love interacting with people, and I love writing, singing, taking and editing photos on my phone. This is all just true. It is really and truly like a dream come true that these passions may both help me make a reasonable bit of income in a really hard time after a long, hard season, as well as help me build a community of people who support my work and help get me started as the "little guy."
So the lesson here? In a big way, "oh happy fault." It might just be the case that due to what is essentially a real disability (the fatigue and environmental sensitivity really can be that bad), I may have wonderfully stumbled onto what can truly be my focus this next while, and what offers great potential and promise in me being able to to do my artistic work successfully.
..as well as a bunch of new, intelligent, gifted, funny friends!
I joined Steemit just last week, and am overwhelmed by the positive response and support of both my writing and my music. This is a place where you can truly hope to share what you have to give, and it has this magical capacity of bringing the best out of people.
I can't wait to see how things unfold in the coming weeks and months.
If you're interested in taking a look/listen and haven't had a chance yet, I have quite a few videos up already as well. Your support truly means the world to me, in any way you are able to give it. I also have free downloads available through my website of my original work.
Thanks again.
Xx,
Kay
(All work on my Steem blog, in any presented form, is always copyrighted, so in your interests and mine, please use proper attribution.)