Hi there! I am a health writer, health advocate and all-around health nerd. Six years ago I was diagnosed with a chronic pain condition. On my health journey, I’ve learned the power of self-care skills to improve my health and well-being. As a blogger I am excited to educate and inspire others to be skillfully well, despite the challenges of living with a chronic illness!
Before my diagnosis of fibromyalgia and endometriosis, I was a graduate student planning a career in public health and international development. I love to travel and I spent a lot of time working, studying and volunteering abroad. I was hoping to have a career that would take me around the world. Over the course of two years, these dreams were cut short because of my chronic conditions. The symptoms came on gradually, starting with back pain, infections, shoulder pain, insomnia – and finally a referral to a pain clinic where I was told I had a chronic, incurable illness. I left school and spent the next year in a state of shock.
Gradually I started learning self-care skills that improved my health and well-being. First I took a meditation course (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) course at my pain clinic. I began to move more using gentle exercise routines. I started learning about the best diet for fibromyalgia. I moved from the passive role of patient to the empowered role of patient advocate. You can learn more about my health journey here.
I learned that living skillfully improved my wellness in all dimensions (mind, body and spirit). It also increased my agency in my life again – my capacity to achieve change. I had to change the narrative of my life from the career-focused humanitarian to a self-care advocate in my own life and the lives of others.
I live with my husband and our two-year-old cat Sara. I love learning, nutrition, reading, meditation, being outside, Netflix, cooking, cats and coffee!
Skillfully Well & Painfully Aware 
Your blog about reading the mindfulness solution book is excellent! As a hypnotist who helps people reduce their suffering from chronic pain using mindful hypnosis, it is a delight to see the light bulb turning on. Stick with the mind body connection approach, even as you seek other treatments: my clients have found that using brief, self-guided exercises regularly are extremely beneficial toward helping them self regulate their symptoms and in some cases, heal. Hypnosis has a long history of being helpful for IBS, BTW! Best wishes, to you, Kelley
Thank you for your comment! I find regularly using guided meditation helps me cope with the stress of living with chronic pain. I find that I actually feel more in control when I let go, work on acceptance and living in the present. I notice my family sometimes confuses this approach with giving up – but it’s actually very empowering! I’m enrolling in a meditation course my pain clinic runs in the fall to learn more, and to make sure I keep up with my practice. I’m sure your clients benefit from your help. Let me know if you have any recommendations for at home practice (tapes or tools).
You’re on the right track! My colleague, Michael Ellner, and I have some stuff we use to help people help themselves when it comes to chronic issues. Send me a pm to kelley@woodshypnosis.com and I am happy to share!
Thank you for stopping by and following my blog! 🙂 I enjoy engaging in mindfulness as well. It takes practice, but it works wonders! I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog! 🙂
Jenn
I’ve been enjoying reading yout blog! I really like ‘sir eggo’ the personified ego, amd can really relate! I’m about to start a mindfulness class and I’m really looking forward to it. I have a lot to learn still!
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed reading my blog! 🙂 life is one big and crazy adventure, so it’s good to make the best of it and see the humor in the seemingly bad things. I’ve been working on mindfulness as well–not always easy, but the more you practice, the better you get at it. Thank you for reading, Katarina! 🙂
Your blog is so cool, I nominated you for the Liebster award! Congratulations!
http://trynabpainfreemomma.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/id-like-to-thank-the-academy/
Thank you so much! I’m really grateful you thought of nominating my blog! I’ve only been blogging for about 6 months and it’s become my favorite hobby and cathartic for dealing with fibro. The best part is reading the fabulous blogs by other women living with chronic pain/ fms/cfs (like yours!). I feel like I have so much to learn!
Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award! Check out my post to find out the steps to graciously accept your award, and keep up the great blogging! 🙂 Jenn xx
http://myfibrotasticlife.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/its-time-for-the-jennys-part-1/
Thanks so much Jenny! I’m glad you’ve been stopping by and reading my blog! I really like following your posts – always optimistic and relatable! I’m a little short of energy at the moment to go through the Liebster process but I really appreciate the nomination 🙂
That’s okay, you can take your time. I’m taking a break at this time as well in order to recharge my batteries. 😉
Hey there, just wanted you to know, I nominated you for an award! You can read about it here:
Thanks so much! I’m really honoured! Feeling a little low on energy at the moment but hope to post a response soon! Looking forward to following your blog 🙂
Good information, good writing, and a good heart = great blog.
Thanks, Katarina!
Thank-you so much! I’m glad you stopped by to read and I’m looking forward to following your blog!
You been awarded something very special, check it out here: http://teeks55.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/the-dragon-loyalty-award/
Hello! I have nominated you for the “WordPress Family Award” since you are an important part of my blog family. To read more, click the link below:
http://myfibrotasticlife.com/2013/11/30/the-sweet-victory-of-finishing-nablopomo-2013-pt-1/
Hey Katarina, I nominated you for Blog of The Year 2013 ~ http://teeks55.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/double-honor-from-fellow-bloggers-here-at-wordpress/
Hi,
I work with a doctor named Bill Rawls in North Carolina who has recently written a book about his struggle with fibromyalgia/CFS called “Suffered Long Enough.” He is a traditionally trained physician, but found the medical community’s treatments for his illness lacking, so he developed his own. Would you possibly be interested in writing something about the book on your blog? I’d love to give you an advanced copy if you’re interested. It’s out November 10.
Thanks so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Alex Granados
Hi Katerina I’m loving your blog. The research you include, as well as your journey is great!
Has your naturopath intimated that you will eventually be pain and fatigue free by following the protocols? Or will any benefits only remain while you take the medicines?
I only ask because I’ve just seen a naturopath for the first time and she has said I should be pain free and reduce the fatigue by taking three supplements for six weeks and removing any allergens from my diet…although the whole session didn’t start so well as she began by saying “if” it’s fibro, therefore discounting the last seven years of my experience, she thought it was infection, but the tests showed me to be strong and healthy….!
Thanks for stopping by and reading! My naturopath hasn’t really made any guarantees about the outcomes, other than to say she thinks we can improve my quality of life. It may be very individualized and up to the doctor. Can I ask what supplements s/he has prescribed you? Hope it goes well!
She’s started with three: s.p.m.p sodium phosphate, magnesium phosphate; s.c.f silicon dioxide, calcium fluoride; p.c.i.p potassium chloride, iron phosphate.
I think the idea is to build up the body’s own healing capacity, so that yes the effects should last after a course of supplements.
I love your blog! It is well-written, encouraging and informative. I too am trying to make a better life for myself in spite of fibromyalgia, CFS and a traumatic brain injury. I will be following your blog.
Thank you for following my blog!
You have been tagged! No pressure to take part but would be great to see your answers 🙂 https://trippingthroughtreacle.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/awards-and-tags/
Fibromyalgia certainly sucks the energy out of anyone. Thanks for sharing your journey and all the tips and tricks for us to overcome this devastating condition.
It always makes my day to hear my writing is helpful to others! Thanks 🙂
Hi! I was only diagnosed last week! And I am thrilled and devastated at the same time. I had other pain issues that had be diagnosed and just thought they were just getting worse. I am a writer and master meditation and QIgong instructor and I really think we need to do EVERYTHING we can to get the word out about this under-researched condition. $1 per patient goes to FM research. That is awful. I know it’s not cancer, diabetes, heart disease but those who suffer – and it is predominately women- need the help, research and treatment alternatives. Thank you SO much for what you write, what you do and mostly how you are living as a shining example to those of us who suffer. KaZ
Hey KaZ, thanks so much for you kind words! It means so much to know my writing resonates with others. About 3% of the population has fibro and it’s crazy how little visibility or funding research gets (same goes for other chronic illnesses). I hope your diagnosis opens up some treatment options or new practitioners. You already have a lot of wisdom as a meditator and qi gong instructor, so I’m sure you know your body really well. But a diagnosis helps to understand the process, especially of central nervous system sensitization. At least for me it did. Take good care of yourself!