Top Posts of 2022 (& our theme for 2023!)

top posts 2022 www.calledtowatch.com #caregiver #struggle #chronicillness #writer #hope #chronic #faith #watching #spoonie

Welcome to 2023!

Just as in previous years, what follows is the posts which received the most views in 2022. Have a look, you might encounter an ‘oldie but a goodie’ for the first time, or, like me, be reminded of posts you’d entirely forgotten about!

But first I want to introduce this year’s post series:

Responding to Misconceptions in Chronic Illness

As a Watcher, you might have heard your chronically ill loved one voice a sentiment along the lines of: 

‘I’m no use to anyone’ or, ‘I can’t serve God like this’ or ‘I’m all alone, no one really understands.’

As a Watcher, everything in us often wants to cry, ‘no! That’s not true!’ — but is that best response? What do we do when our loved one keeps voicing these beliefs? Is a response even possible? Ought we protest each time? Are our responses even helpful? After all, we’re not the ones whose every day is impacted and restrained by poor health.

This year we will be exploring these questions and more, in a series of articles formatted as letters. Each one will begin with a statement about chronic illness such as, ‘I’m all alone’ and follow with a ‘letter’ from a Watcher in response. 

One thing that may have stood out to you by now is that these ‘misconceptions’ are not the sole possession of our chronically ill friends! I’m sure all of us have thought them at times. For various reasons we’ve felt incapable, handicapped or restrained by various life situations, and thoughts like these slip out so easily. And so it’s important that we spend some time mulling over them in the presence of God, and ask ourselves whether they hold any truth and how exactly we ought to respond. I’m excited for this journey, even as I suspect it will be a challenging one for us all, me included.

But before we begin this series (a new article will be posted every two months) I have the pleasure of introducing the top pots of 2022!

1: 7 Reasons Watching Someone Suffer is the WORST

reasons why watching someone else suffer is the worst www.calledtowatch.com #caregiver #struggle #chronicillness #writer #hope #chronic #faith #watching #prayer
This post has been at the top of the views chart since it was posted several years ago!

2: Sickness and the Bible (references, disappointments and questions)

sickness and the bible www.calledtowatch.com #caregiver #struggle #chronicillness #writer #hope #chronic #faith #watching #prayer
As has this one! I quote: “Some things in life are opposites. They can’t coexist because they cancel each other out. Fire & Water. Tiny & Huge.
Sometimes I am tempted to add ‘Sickness & Christianity’ to this list.”

3: How to make hospital visits less awkward

how to make a hospital visit less awkward www.calledtowatch.com #caregiver #struggle #chronicillness #writer #hope #chronic #faith #watching #spoonie
Includes a list of questions to ask beforehand as well as on the day of your visit

4: I think I hate my chronically ill family member

I think I hate my chronically ill family member www.calledtowatch.com #caregiver #struggle #chronicillness #writer #hope #chronic #faith #watching #prayer
One of the few posts which still has an ‘original photo’ ie. I took it myself!

5: Help! People keep asking after my chronically sick family member…

help people keep asking and I dont know what to say www.calledtowatch.com #caregiver #struggle #chronicillness #writer #hope #chronic #faith #watching #prayer
“… and there’s nothing left to say.”

And lastly, a post which didn’t make the top 5 but is close to my heart:

Why small talk is so important in chronic illness (& why I neglect it!)

why small talk is necessary www.calledtowatch.com #chronicillness #suffering #loneliness #caregiver #pain #caregiving #spoonie #faith #God #Hope - Copy
Are you like me? Or do you thrive on small talk?

These post are only a tiny selection of all the articles available on the Called to Watch website. Feeling bored? Navigate to the ‘all posts’ section and find more ‘oldies but goodies’!

// What was YOUR favourite post last year? Did it make the list?

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Author: Emily J. M.

Hi, I'm Emily. Two of my closest family members struggle with chronic illness, and I watch them. That's hard, and so I write about life as a 'Watcher', what it looks like to support them and find Hope.

Thoughts? I'd love to hear from you, friend.