My Vestibular Migraine journey

31/07/2026

Did you get this too?

31/07/2026

Big achievement yesterday, around 350 meters around the coast.

I used to be really scared of deep or murky water, or seaweed, not to mention putting my foot down to stand - lots of crabs here 🤣🙏🏼

Then there’s the lions mane jellyfish to give you a jump-scare and a lovely sting. Miracle we didn't see one at all yesterday.

I breathed every other stroke so that’s a long stretch with a lot of head turning and I wasn’t dizzy!!!

From someone that could barely do 25 meters without dizziness this is HUGE for me and to be able to learn freestyle from my friend and teacher Malle who suffers the same symptoms ❤️

30/07/2026

30/07/2026

Before I was diagnosed with vestibular migraine, I thought the hardest part would be the symptoms.

I was wrong.

The hardest part is deciding, every single day, whether to explain myself.

Do I tell people why I can't come?
Do I explain why I need to sit down?
Why I seem distracted?
Why supermarkets overwhelm me?
Why I suddenly need to leave?

Sometimes I'm too exhausted to explain.

And then comes the resentment.

Not because people don't know—but because I feel like I have to justify my existence just to be believed.

Living with an invisible illness means carrying an invisible conversation in your head:
"Should I tell them?"
"Will they understand?"
"Will they think I'm making excuses?"

The truth is, you don't owe everyone your medical history.

Not everyone needs an explanation.
Not everyone will understand.
And not everyone deserves access to your health just because your illness isn't visible.

I'm learning that protecting my energy is more important than proving my illness.

If you live with an invisible illness and you've felt resentful, you're not alone.

Sometimes the resentment isn't directed at people—it's grief for the version of life where existing didn't require so much explaining.

30/07/2026

Love this so true for many out there

Here’s the thing.

The only one who can really understand how much chronic illness has changed your life, is someone else with chronic illness.

The grief you feel is not validated, accepted or understood by those around you, even in the medical community, because it is often just as invisible as the illness you live with.

Unless you have experienced chronic illness, it's almost impossible to understand or relate to because after all, you generally “look ok.”

You can get so caught up in needing people to understand how it feels, especially those closest to you and when they can’t, it can feel like such a blow to the spirit and even, like a betrayal.

So let go of the need for them to understand.

They can’t. Not truly.

Focus instead on what is most important: That they respect the new boundaries that you now need to put in place, to protect your health and your energy.

Be as factual as you can, without needing to justify your choices.

Do not apologise for the illness because it is not your fault.

Instead, explain clearly what you can and cannot do.

If you get caught up in needing them to understand, it will end up damaging your relationships because you feel hurt, unloved and judged.

Which will make you put more emotional distance between you and make you feel even more alone.

You know how you feel.

You do not need to convince anyone else.

People who love you will be willing to respect the boundaries you set and any limitations you have when you can communicate them clearly and consistently.

You are worth it and you absolutely deserve it. ❤️

Share this for someone who needs to see it and remember, if you need a coach/therapist to help you deal with this, book your free online discovery session from my site.

29/07/2026

I’ve been painting non stop the last week or so. I forgot how much I used to enjoy it.

It’s been tricky due to hours per painting and my eyes sore, neck etc but sometimes we push through to do the things we love or the things that bring us peace.

29/07/2026

One thing many people don't realise is that vestibular migraine isn't "just dizziness." The brain regions that process balance, vision, and spatial orientation are temporarily functioning abnormally. This is why people can experience symptoms such as:

feeling like the floor is bouncing or tilting
difficulty focusing their eyes
disorientation in supermarkets or busy streets
feeling detached from their surroundings
motion sickness from simply turning their head
extreme fatigue and cognitive slowing ("brain fog")

Because these symptoms can fluctuate from hour to hour, people with vestibular migraine often appear healthy between episodes, despite experiencing a level of disability that can be severe enough to interfere with employment, driving, and independent daily activities.

26/07/2026

**How to Support Someone with Vestibular Migraine 💙**

Vestibular Migraine is an invisible illness. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t real.

Many of us look “fine” on the outside while battling dizziness, vertigo, nausea, imbalance, brain fog, sensory overload, and exhaustion. It can be incredibly isolating because people often don’t understand what we’re going through.

The hardest part? Feeling like you have to constantly explain yourself—or worse, feeling like people think you’re exaggerating or making it up.

**We’re not lying. We’re not being dramatic. We’re not lazy.**

We’re doing our best to navigate a condition that can change from one hour to the next.

If someone you care about has Vestibular Migraine, here’s how you can help:

💙 Believe them when they tell you how they feel.
💙 Be patient if plans have to change at the last minute.
💙 Don’t take cancellations personally—they’re caused by the condition, not by you.
💙 Ask what they need instead of assuming.
💙 Learn a little about Vestibular Migraine—it helps more than you know.
💙 Check in with them, especially on the days they go quiet.
💙 Celebrate the good days, but understand they won’t always last.
💙 Remind them they don’t have to face it alone.

A little understanding can make an enormous difference to someone living with an invisible illness.

If you know someone with Vestibular Migraine, thank you for taking the time to understand what they’re living with. Your support means more than words can say. 💙

25/07/2026

I believe the right one will stick by you.

I also believe if you WANT to find love still, then you should not give up hope. ( I went on dates where I was very open about concerts, bars etc and visual overload )

There are even sites now for people with chronic illness.

My point is, if you want to find it, go for it, and if you are happy as you are, that's ok too!!

24/07/2026

My migraines were silent at first which made diagnosis harder. These were most of my symptoms.