Living With FND: Learning to Slow Down

If you've followed Willow Tree Reborns for a while, you'll know I love sharing the happy side of things – new babies, doll shows, exciting projects, and everything happening behind the scenes.

Today, I wanted to share something a little more personal.

I live with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

For anyone who hasn't heard of it before, FND is a condition that affects how the brain and body communicate. Symptoms can vary from person to person and can include things like fatigue, mobility issues, pain, tremors, cognitive difficulties, and many other challenges. The frustrating thing is that some days you can look absolutely fine on the outside while your body is having completely different ideas!

One of the biggest lessons FND keeps trying to teach me is how to slow down.

Unfortunately, I'm not always a very good student.

I'm the sort of person who likes to be busy. If there's a doll to paint, a website update to finish, a show to organise, or a hundred other things on my to-do list, I'll often convince myself I can do them all at once. Sometimes my body lets me get away with it. Other times it politely reminds me that I can't.

And by politely, I mean ending up in hospital because I've pushed myself too far.

Living with FND can feel a bit like having an internal battery that never quite tells you how much charge is left. You think you've got plenty of energy, then suddenly you're running on empty.

Over time, I've learned that managing FND isn't about giving up the things I love. It's about finding a balance. Some days are productive, some days are slower, and some days the most important job on the list is simply resting.

One thing I am incredibly grateful for is the support of my family. They see the difficult days as well as the good ones, and they are always there to remind me when I need to stop, even if I don't always listen straight away.

Running Willow Tree Reborns has also helped enormously. Being my own boss means I can work around my symptoms when I need to. If I'm having a rough day, I can adjust my schedule. If I'm feeling well, I can make the most of it. That flexibility is something I'm very thankful for.

I don't share this for sympathy. I share it because awareness matters.

Many people live with invisible conditions, and FND is one that still isn't widely understood. If this post helps even one person learn something new about the condition, then it's worth writing.

These days, I try to take things one day at a time. Some days that works better than others, but that's okay.

There will always be babies to paint, cuddly outfits to buy, and doll shows to attend. The important thing is making sure I'm well enough to enjoy them.

Thank you for reading and for supporting Willow Tree Reborns.

Nicole x