Last Updated on January 9, 2025 by melissanreynolds
A few years ago, I started a Patreon account because a few readers encouraged me to provide a way for them to support me. For this I am so grateful.
But it never quite worked because I wanted to give resources I created to you too. And so I had to add on the Payhip platform. But then managing two platforms plus the blogging, book writing and social media-ing became crazy pants. Without adding in the fact that I have had four children in the past 10 years and run a house and work a part-time job in the physical world. With chronic illness.
Add in the major surgery in 2023, the new diagnosis in 2024 and I’ve had to rethink how I run things. How much energy I expend on these things, while still fulfilling my mission of sharing anything I learn that may help others in their journey.
Every platform has rules to follow and takes a lot of time. Putting up a blog post requires an enormous amount of work. And then you still have to tell people that the post exists. Same for YouTube. Social media on it’s own takes a lot of work. I just took on too many things trying to serve people.
The Exciting News
So I have launched the Going Our Own Pace Crew. It is the vision I have had for a few years, come to life. An affordable way to share the journey with exclusive member updates and the member library I always wanted. It’s already packed with resources that are worth more than the membership fee. It’s like a cross between Substack, Patreon and other membership sites.
In addition to exclusive updates you get…
- Sleep Better Worksheet Kit
- Yoga Nidra meditations
- Yoga classes
- Pain Management Plan Worksheet Kit
- Daily Symptom Logs
- and more as I add
There’s a lot to share as I refine my prior learning around managing chronic pain, fatigue and the myriad of other symptoms we live with.
It’s a new era where I stop doing all the things and try to consolidate. I hope you will come and join.
Will you still blog?
Absolutely! Just at a reduced pace to give myself more space.
What about YouTube?
I’m not sure. Maybe sporadically?
And the other platforms?
Over the years I have amassed a few – a Facebook page, two Facebook groups I officially moderate and a few others I provide support for, X and Instagram. I’m honestly on the fence about it all. But I enjoy Instagram so I will likely continue on there.
What kinds of things are you writing about in the near future?
- First is my big trip to LA and San Diego in January 2025. I’m going to share all the things I did to prepare for the trip and make the trip as manageable as possible.
- All about hypermobility as I am learning
- My strength training routine (how I started and how it’s helping)
- My summary of the PEA supplement experiment (I’ve just started the second bottle/second month and it’s been so good)
- I’m also keen to create some more mindfulness meditations with nature scenes and other meditations – I’ve got so much stuff (worksheets, courses, classes, audios etc. etc. etc..) I can put into the member’s library it just takes time!
What are your average pain levels right now?
Excepting when I injure myself (joints or muscle strains) – mostly mild. I have a blog post coming out soon with my current protocol in case you’re curious. The fatigue is mild to moderate – if I’m super careful with my sleep, take my daily rest and pace across the day I can generally achieve what I want to.
Are you still working on the next book?
Yes, titled Finding My Own Pace, it will be a while though as I am still living the story! Joining Going Our Own Pace Crew is the best way to stay up to date with bonus content as I am creating it.
Will you do any live trainings or classes this year?
If I get enough members in Going My Own Pace Crew and that’s something they want – then yes! I will also welcome members to suggest topics/resources.
Why do you do this work?
I don’t want anyone else spending as long as I did with no answers and no help. So if anything I can create can support this, I’d like to do it. All the heartache, research and personal trial and error will count for something.
That’s all for now my friends. I hope you will join us.
