This ongoing initiative showcases blogs with fewer than 500 subscribers which I think are deserving of more attention. Hopefully these blogs will spark your interest and you’ll check them out. It’s my way of spreading awareness of talented writers whose work I admire.

This week’s featured blog is The Mindful Migraine by Linda, a writer who hails from Australia and who has battled chronic migraine for years. Linda’s intimate ken of the painful and debilitating nature of chronic migraine has led her on a road of discovery and recovery which she documents with grace, wit and authenticity on her blog. Her writing style is both engaging and enlightening, complete with her own unique experiences and a wealth of informative resources she’s found along the way which have helped her and may help others who suffer from chronic migraine.

Linda’s blog connected with me immediately. For several years, I also experienced migraines two or three times a week, and nothing I could do brought relief. When I relocated from Utah to Colorado more than eight years ago, the migraines inexplicably ceased, and while I’m grateful for that, I wish I understood why they disappeared so I could share that with others who must deal with constant migraine pain. Linda’s blog is crucial for those who still suffer, and it resonates deeply with me.

I asked Linda if she could share a bit about her experiences. Here’s what she had to say:

“Hi, my name is Linda, and I have chronic migraine – but I’m getting better every day by using mindfulness techniques in combination with more traditional medication.  Receiving a migraine diagnosis is the first step in a long and sometimes lonely journey.  From here, you’ll be required to track the things that potentially trigger your migraines (food, hormones, weather) and the ways that you can become more resilient to their tyranny (stay hydrated, sleep-more, stress-less and so on).  Then there’s the dance you’ll perform with your doctors as you try to figure out the best medications for you to try; some will work, some will need to be tweaked, swapped out, or abandoned.  Eventually, you’ll hopefully find a combination of medication and lifestyle choices that works for you.  Migraines are glitchy-critters and you are, well, you-nique… so there’s no “one size fits all solution”.  If you’re reading this as a person with migraine, I’m sorry, know that you’re not alone, and that the treatment options and support resources are improving all the time.  Hang in their friend, and no matter how tired and lonely you get, know that you CAN heal. I’ve gone from being bed-bound 3 days a week, every week for over a year, to only having to go to crash out maybe once every two or three weeks.  I’m still healing, and still learning, and to help you help yourself I write about all the things that work (and don’t) over on my blog – I’d love to see you there, Linda xox“

Here are links to three of Linda’s posts to give you an idea of what you’ll find on her blog:

Personal Boundaries for Chronic Pain

(Un)solicited Advice for Migraines

A Letter to Neurologists

As a former migraine sufferer, I appreciate Linda’s journey and her research, invaluable resources, and compassion for those who also endure this agony. As a writer, I enjoy Linda’s gift for crafting informative, entertaining and helpful essays. Her blog is a joy to read because Linda truly cares about people. Thank you, Linda, my friend.

Take a moment and visit The Mindful Migraine, won’t you? Whether you battle migraines or know someone who does, Linda’s blog is incredibly helpful and offers hope that you can live your best life in spite of this persistent malady.

Let’s spread the love and support our fellow bloggers.