Well, it’s nearly the end of 2024, and I have deep thoughts to share as the year comes to a close.
I grew up at a time where success in life looked a certain way, and I recently realized how much I was holding myself to those societal expectations.
As a person with a disability, I have been blaming and shaming myself for not being able to get over my chronic fatigue syndrome and for not being able to heal it no matter how hard I have tried.
It’s only after resting a lot these past few months that I can truly feel the depth of the fatigue I have with this condition. It’s as much a part of my whole being as any other part of me. I honestly thought I was less of a person because of this condition, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.
I have written posts in the past about how chronic fatigue has taught me to be more accepting and compassionate with myself. And that is completely true, but I have reached a new depth of acceptance these last few weeks.
I feel like I can stop fighting now. I can stop trying to be perfect, I can stop pretending that I can keep going while my health fails, and I can just stop, breathe, and be me, exactly as I am.
It is a relief to stop fighting and I am hoping that I will continue to relax into this new state of being. I can only imagine how healing that will be for me ❤️.
During my reflections, I have realized that every life has value, no matter how the person living it experiences it. Each way that we are different from each other is important and valid.
No more trying to fit humanity into tiny boxes, but instead, learning from each other and honouring the uniqueness of our individual experiences
That is the new way that my heart is seeing the true measure of success in life. Am I able to honour where I am at, with kindness and compassion? And can I treat all people that way? Wow, that would be a powerful way to live.
And so, as we transition to 2025, I honour you, dearest reader. Thank you for taking the time out of your precious life to read my reflections on getting a PhD in Being Me.
Lastly, I created the piece of art above to remind myself that I am special, loved, and adored. May you fill up with the message, too, and may you know just how precious and lovely you are, no matter the circumstances of your life.
Big hugs, Bradlee ♥️
© Bradlee Zrudlo 2022-2024. All Rights Reserved.
PhD in Being Me 
Happy New Year Beautiful Bradlee. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing your truth, growth and resilience. You’ve truly inspired me to embrace my authentic self and have more compassion through my life. Am honored and cherish always. Cheers to a continued growth and honoring ourselves in 2025 💗
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Dear Carla! Happy New Year to you too, you precious one! Remember when we stayed up all night one New Year’s and wrote out what we wanted in our lives? Here we are so many years later, still growing, learning, and working towards our most tender, authentic experiences of life. I am so grateful to share life with you and to gain much needed inspiration from each other. I love you lots! Xoxoxo
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Thank you for continuing to share your experiences and reflections with all of us, Bradlee! You always inspire me with new ideas or greater understanding and I love it! A happy New Year to all your readers and peace and health for all in 2025!
Georgette xxx
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Thanks so much for supporting me and my writing, Georgette! I am so grateful to be your friend and to witness the awesome ways you navigate life. Thank you for the wishes for all the readers and super Happy New Year to you too! Here’s to great adventures, prosperity and joy in 2025! Xoxoxo
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Dear Bradlee, Love this. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate your perspective and your reflections…Very wise. I am privileged to be able to read this and share this with you. Daniel 🙂
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Dear Daniel, thanks so much for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it. You are such a caring and understanding person, I feel very grateful to connect with you! Big hugs and all the best to you ❤️ xoxo Bradlee
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🌻♥️
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♥️🌻🌼 right back to you, Daniel!
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Happy New Year, Bradlee! Hugs to you. Here’s to a new year of learning from ourselves and others!
Love, Susan
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Thank you so much, Susan! Happy New Year to you too! You are very special to me and I send you big hugs too! I love you lots and I am always inspired by the learnings you share with me! xoxoxo
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