Hello, and thank you for welcoming me to Steemit! I am new to the concept of blogging, but I've heard a lot of good about this particular social media platform. I expect that the experience will be fun and challenging. Any advice you have for a beginner such as myself would be great! I look forward to connecting with you and others in the Steemit community!
A Little Bit About Me
I am an Upper Midwest (United States) artist, living with chronic physical and mental illness. I gain much of my creative inspiration from my exprience with these illnesses. Despite dramatic lifestyle changes, and limitations, I continue to be someone who finds purpose in human connection, and helping others.
About My Art
I've dabbled in many forms of self expression over my lifetime, but my primary focus in recent years has been jewelry art.
I began selling my hand crafted jewelry on etsy in 2012, though I've been making jewelry since my early teens. I started consigning my work locally, as well as selling at art festivals, and other local events. Truth be told, I prefer the face to face interaction with my customers. It feels more personal, and I can connect with a wider range of people.
I've included a link to my Instagram, as I am not very active in selling on etsy during the summer months. Feel free to take a look at my work and tell me what you think!
https://www.instagram.com/hannah.anderson.arts
Most of my Jewelry features upcycled pieces, and earthy textures. I also do a lot of wire wrapping with stones, sea glass, and other natural materials.
My goal for the future: To be able to teach jewelry classes or get involved with community education. The thing I hear the most when people see my work is "I wish I could learn how to do that!"
As someone who is disabled, my creative talents have helped me maintain a small amount of income while being unable to work a regular job. Its a daily struggle to produce enough income. I guess this makes me a starving artist of sorts.
About my Illness
I will have more detailed posts in the future about each illness, but for now I'm just going to cover the basics.
I was diagnosed with Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety, and Panic Disorder at the age of 9.
At the age of 15 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which causes cysts to form in the ovaries. Its incredibly painful, and causes a variety of symptoms. Women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing Ovarian Cancer.
At the the age of 18 I was Diagnosed with Intersticial Cystitis (IC) or Painful Bladder Syndrome. This is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the bladder tissue, and causes painful ulcers to form.
At the age of 24 I was Diagnosed with Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia. This is a chronic, lifelong condition that causes severe widespread pain throughout the body. Other symptoms include headaches, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, sensitivity to temperature/weather changes, as well as sensitivity to light, sound, and smell.
At the age of 25 I had a partial hysterectomy to remove both of my ovaries. Each ovary had grown to about the size of a grapefruit. They were riddled with pre-cancerous tumors and fibroids. The surgery forced my body into what is knows as surgical menopause, which had its own variety of awful symptoms. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has helped in dealing with these symptoms, and keeping my hormones balanced.
At 26 I was diagnosed with PTSD. I'm not comfortable getting into details, but the diagnosis was traced back to childhood abuse, and abusive relationships as a young adult.
My Future
Each day is its own battle, and even the simplest task can require a lot of effort. My most difficult symptom to manage is the constant fluctuating pain. I struggle to not let this define me. Its limited my physical abilities in many ways, and I've had to re evaluate much of my identity because of this.
Most people define themselves by what they do. When your ability to "do" is taken away, that is when things get complicated. That is when your life grinds to a screeching halt. You are forced to look at yourself and the world around you through different eyes.
My future is in awareness, and self discovery. Its in kindness towards others. Being a better friend, partner, daughter, sister. Being a better human! My future is NOT letting this diseased mortal vessel turn me into a hardened bitter spirit.
Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction! I look forward to reading and developing more posts, and being apart of the Steemit community!
Photo Credit: All photos were taken by me!
Welcome to Steemit.
I agree with others; it is, and should always be, a great adventure.
So have fun with it.
From my own experience, I like to focus on my current projects, my wins, my future, my positive goals, and only sometimes, I'll share a bit of what it took to get past the pain I was holding on, to get where I was going.
Thank you @surfyogi, I am looking forward to the adventure!
welcome boost from =D
@gwapology got you a $0.01 @minnowbooster upgoat, nice! (Image: pixabay.com)
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Welcome to Steem @habituallyhannah I have upvoted and sent you a tip
Thank you!
Hello !I am @minnowhelp, nice to meet you Habituallyhannah,
I do track some @booster upvote runs and try to figure out, if this booster upvote really giving a value.
With this upvotes you can earn some money here, if they provide a value. That's what I am testing for new Steemians !
Im mysession#1 I tracked amongs I tracked amongst other users the upvote boost of @happymoneyman, he boosted his post value to $23.00 , which was $5.05 more than before the booster upvote !
And that with just an investment of $1.96 !
So if you want to see the results of my work, feel free to follow me @minnowhelp
Welcome to Steemit Habituallyhannah !
Thank you @minnowhelp !
Hello ! I am @digital-gypsy , nice to meet you @Habituallyhannah ! Welcome to Steemit and all the best for your posting
Thank you @digital-gypsy, nice to meet you too!
Nice, a new Steemian, more or less ^^ Hi Habituallyhannah I hope you have fun at this place. don't hesitate to contact or follow me at any time :-) See you around @chrisx
Thank you @chrisx, will do!
hello Habituallyhannah ! Glad to see more people like you - here joining steemit!! Becoming a steamian is a great adventure !! Here you can win money while bloging! At the beginning it wouldn't be easy, but it isn't impossible. So just write from your heart and everything will be allright. Wish you much luck! Cheers! Wish you much luck! Greetings, @mekong!
Thank you @mekong thank you for your kind words and advice! I do love a good challenge. Steemit seems like a great opportunity!
Hello @habituallyhannah. Welcome to Steemit. I am David. I wish you have a happy journey here.
Thank you David!
great opening post! I'm new too
Thank you!
Welcome to Steemit @habituallyhannah!
I'm a bot-helper, and I'm created to help. Congratulations on the registration on Steem - you really like it here! If you like me, make an upvote of my comment and follow me. Your upvote will allow you to give more money to new users, such as you. Let's make Steem better together!
I follow you, and to get more upvote and resteem - follow me!
All the money I earn will be donated to charity.
Steem on!
@gwapology got you a $0.01 @minnowbooster upgoat, nice! (Image: pixabay.com)
Want a boost? Click here to read more!
welcome Hannah. You are a strong woman! I'll like to read your stories here. I'm sure Steemit is a place for you. Have a great time
Thank you @jotmax
Welcome to steemit, habituallyhannah, this is a great community, very supportive, just like a big family. I'm sure that you will feel right at home here. Steemit is a great opportunity so I wish you the best of luck and success here. Btw nice jewellery. Upvoted!
Thank you so much @catskittensrule ! I look forward to learning more and becoming apart of the steemit family :)
welcome to steem :)
Thank you!
Hi habituallyhannah, welcome to steemit, Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that you find your time within this community to be a help and support to you. It is a wonderful place to be, so I hope you have a great time here! Good luck.
Thank you for taking the time to read @floata, I have heard great things about others finding support in the Steemit community. I look forward to spending time here.
Welcome habituallyhannah, hope this is as great an experience for you, as it has been for me. I've only been here a short time, but I'm very happy I joined (wished I joined earlier lol). I look forward to the opportunities that this platform offers, so I hope its the same for you and that you have success in whatever you do here. I hope you can draw strength and encouragement from the people on here in your struggles. Wishing you the best. Take care.
Thank you for your kind words @ggracie I wish you the very best on your journey as well!
thank you
Welcome to Steemit! Nice introduction post.
Thank you!
Nice Jewellery, welcome to the network! Following
Thank you very much @larksongbird
hello~ habituallyhannah, Follow & Upvote is a You and I great strength~
Welcome to Steemit @habituallyhannah, it's an awesome group of people we have here! minnowsupport is an invaluable section for newbie members. Follow me if you want free banners to help build your following.
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STOPWelcome and Thank You for being with us!! Following your Blog now
Thank you!
Nice to be your friend here at Steemit! The community needs cool people like you @habituallyhannah :)
I already upvoted and followed you to see all of your future blogs!
I wish you more followers and friends!
Don't forget to follow me too @apple64 so that we can be friend forever :D
Thank you very much!
Welcome @andrewriites to Steemit. great introduction:) you got my follow! hope you will check out my account, too. Please follow me @bankhai <3
Thank you!
Great introduction post! Your jewelry is beautiful!! I'm new here too, it's been so fun!
Thank you!
Welcome @habituallyhannah to Steemit. Looking forward to more posts from you. Check out my blog and follow if you're interested. Please follow me @dangho
Welcome to steemit @habituallyhannah, im sorry for the pain that you are going thru, i hope you find peace and be cured frim any illness instantly, just keep on fighting and be an inspiration as you are created uniquely!
Thank you for your kind words @errymil
A new Steemian :-) hello @habituallyhannah I hope you enjoy your time here, its a great community ! Nice post, Wish you much luck! I will follow your account. Don't hesitate to contact or follow me at any time :-) See you around @tradewonk