Life with Hashimoto’s Disease (from an Organizer’s Perspective)

This has been a big year for me. I got married, made it through another back-to-school season, and even started the process of celebrating ten years in business (lots of changes coming soon). Feeling run-down is the name of the game when you’re juggling a busy home and professional life, right? Pretty soon, though, I realized that I was dealing with more than just fatigue and a whole lot of stress.  After countless doctor’s appointments, I learned that I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, a key gland responsible for regulating many of your body’s essential functions.  On the one hand, I was grateful to finally attach a name to what I have; however, I wasn’t (and maybe am still not) prepared for all that it would take to manage this condition. Let me tell you, life with Hashimoto’s is not easy. The status quo was not going to fly if I wanted to keep my symptoms in check.  It was time to mobilize and organize!

ADAPTING YOUR ROUTINE AND LIFESTYLE AFTER A HASHIMOTO’S DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

Transitioning from life as I knew it meant getting educated… and quickly. I harkened my days as a lawyer to research as much as I could:  What is this thing that I’m living with? What can I expect? How can I get it under control?

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know that I create lists for just about everything. Managing Hashimoto’s is no exception.  And believe me, there’s a lot of managing to be done! I not only need to change the food I eat, but how I prepare and store it. I’ve had to inventory nearly every item in my home – from non-stick skillets and silicon spatulas in my kitchen to the dental floss and lipstick in my bathroom – all to determine what needs to be replaced. Bottom line, if it goes in or on my body, it has to be free of any chemicals that could trigger a reaction. In addition, what do I do with all of the stuff that I can no longer use? I started a running list of donation sites, shelters, and other organizations that will accept my used goods.

One very important way to mitigate the symptoms of Hashimoto’s is to control stress. But thinking about not stressing is seriously stressful! The doctors are telling me that I need to make time for myself. With what time?! I have two active girls and an ever-growing business. But in all seriousness, one thing I did do was rearrange my calendar to include time dedicated to self-care. This includes scheduling yoga and meditation sessions. When I allow myself the time to breathe, I’m giving my body permission to heal. One. step. at. a. time.

I’ve had to turn my home and lifestyle upside down to make room for Hashimoto’s Disease. It has been an inexpensive endeavor in terms of the physical and emotional collateral. After years of organizing for others, Hashimoto’s has forced me to take some much-needed time to organize for myself. I owe my husband, girls, my team, and you a debt of gratitude for accompanying me on this journey.   

PRODUCTS I LIKE WHEN DEALING WITH HASHIMOTO’S (or really anytime!)

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