being a spoon counter

Muscle fatigue vs muscle weakness in MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that has a remarkable talent for turning ordinary life into an unpredictable adventure. One day you're managing reasonably well; the next, your legs have apparently resigned, your brain has gone on holiday and your energy supply is displaying a low-battery warning. Here at MS-Fling, we explore the everyday realities of living with multiple sclerosis, from fatigue and mobility problems to brain fog and those awkward moments when your body refuses to cooperate. There are serious challenges, of course, but that doesn't mean we can't find humour in the absurdities along the way. After all, MS may change how we live, but it doesn't have to steal our ability to laugh.

There are few things more embarrassing than staggering down the street in broad daylight, completely sober, while looking as though you've just been thrown out of the local pub.

The Fine Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing

If you are wondering how to overcome brain fog, one of the most useful lessons I have learned is surprisingly simple: give your brain something new to do.

Retirement is often imagined as the moment when life finally slows down. The daily commute disappears, deadlines fade away, and the alarm clock is no longer a strict master of the morning. For many people, the idea of retirement is closely tied to relaxation — long mornings with coffee, afternoons spent reading or gardening, and evenings enjoyed at a gentle pace.

The first paycheck from your first proper job carries a strange kind of electricity. It’s not just money — it’s validation. Proof that school is behind you, that effort now converts into something tangible, and that independence has officially begun. The numbers on the payslip matter, of course, but what matters more is the feeling that comes with them. This is your money, earned by your time.

There’s an irony that has stayed with me for years, growing sharper the older I get. When we were children, my mother drilled into us the importance of positive thinking. She believed — fiercely — that attitude shaped outcome, that optimism was not naïve but necessary, and that a hopeful mindset could carry you through more than raw intelligence ever would.

Modern life is rarely silent. Even when nothing dramatic is happening, the background hum of notifications, responsibilities, and unfinished thoughts can leave the mind feeling crowded. Anxiety often feeds on this constant mental noise, growing louder when there is no pause between one demand and the next.