This podcast episode is just the beginning of something new...

When managing grief, conflict, chronic illness, or life in general, it can be A LOT.

My wish for you is that you will be able to check in with your body.

I have lived the true definition of you can't be someone else's something if you're nothing for yourself.

Can you take some time to figure out the following questions:

What do I want?

What makes me feel good?

What have I said yes to, that I should have said no to?

How can I say yes to myself more?

It's only up from here friends...

This week is a very important topic - living wills, advanced directives, and healthcare proxies.

It is critical to have a conversation about these topics, and I encourage you to choose a trusted advocate or caregiver who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to.

Please don't forget to document important information that may be crucial in times of emergency or if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself:

• Keep track of passwords, bank accounts, and contact information for renovation workers.
• Set up a legacy contact with Apple, enabling access to a deceased person's computer.
• Check for updates to these documents regularly as you change passwords or as things in your life change

These steps can ease the burden on loved ones during difficult times. We also discuss different names for advanced directives, which may vary from state to state. In some areas, they may be referred to as healthcare agents or patient advocates. The key is to ensure you have a documented process for your medical decisions such as preferences regarding organ donation, pain management, resuscitation, ventilation, feeding tubes, and palliative care.

By documenting these preferences, individuals can ensure that their wishes are respected and followed. When in doubt, consult with a lawyer regarding these documents and make sure you carry a copy with you at all times/you have a copy in your medical record.

This podcast episode is about the struggle to manage grief. We are discussing how grief has impacted my thyroid condition, and I discuss the importance of expressing oneself and seeking support during challenging times. Grief will impact us differently, but it is important to connect with people and a care team who will support you throughout the entire process.

This series is very close to home. This text discusses the importance of advocacy and communication in healthcare, particularly when it comes to end-of-life planning and death. This series is going to highlight the importance of establishing support systems, learning how to utilize clear communication during difficult times, and why it's so important to be open to having difficult conversations around death.

Since it is Mental Health Awareness Month, I will also be hosting a kindness and gratitude challenge from May 22nd-May 26th (2023). Sign up at joyfulebony.com/kindness.

When we think about our health, it can be easy to assume we don't have many options.

However, I have been exploring different forms of treatment to support my health from Western Medicine to other modalities, including acupuncture and I must say, it's been great.

I have recently been paying more attention to lifestyle medicine because I can't accept that prevention of disease is impossible for many of us. I also strongly believe in starting small and creating habits that will help you sustain your lifestyle.

This episode was in part about lifestyle medicine and what is, as well as about how to make small changes (specifically diet in this case) that can help your health outcomes.

If you would like to learn more about lifestyle medicine, please visit the American College of Lifestyle Medicine https://lifestylemedicine.org/ to learn more.

For those of you who may be new to the show, let me reintroduce myself.

My name is Ebony, I have Hashimoto's Disease, I am a patient advocate, personal trainer, nutrition coach and aromatherapist.

Through my own struggles, I have learned so much about this condition and have made it my mission to share what I have learned with all of you.

As we move forward with the podcast, I am excited to announce that we will be taking a seasons-based approach. Each season will focus on a specific aspect of thyroid disease, from diagnosis to treatment options to self-care. I will be discussing my four step method I use to help clients in detail and I will also be enlisting the support of professionals in the field.

I encourage all of you to take the time to get to know yourself and your own unique needs when it comes to managing thyroid disease. Together, we can support each other and thrive. Let me know your thoughts and what you want to hear more of!

Sometimes it can be a challenge to outgrow the things that used to make you feel safe and secure. We all know the struggle even when we're not aware of it:

• You want to say no to going out because you just don't like it anymore
• You've outgrown your current circle of friends, but you don't know how to say it
• Things that used to seem really difficult are merely bumps

Don't forget that you can change and each of us will evolve over time. It doesn't make you a bad person, but you'll have to work through what feels safe for you in terms of navigating new spaces.

Just like you may experience difficulty when you're adjusting to a new medication or health regimen, everything around you can shift too.

If you're interested in learning more about my free monthly aromatherapy classes, click here.

Choose Aromatherapy classes and you will be able to book the free class.

In this episode, we are going to talk about exploring this question:

"Am I safe here"?

I heard this question on a podcast from the Truth Doctor and it has revolutionized my thought process related to how I process my emotions, trauma and my condition.

I also spoke about ACEs or Adverse Childhood Events and I encourage you to be sure to do things that make you comfortable and safe while you explore this concept.

For more informationon ACEs, check out:

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html