From Breakdown to Breakthrough:
How A Breakdown Led To My Dream - My Journey to meredithhutton79
I'm Meredith Hutton, an artist, and I reside on Galiano Island, British Columbia (BC), Canada, with my husband, two kids, and our 4 dogs. Living on this small remote island void of major chain stores and traffic lights, we are surrounded by a multitude of artists and creatives inspired by Galiano's unique beauty. Since moving here from Vancouver in 2017, I have found a sense of belonging within this artistic community.
In 2008 I suffered a catastrophic fall which changed the trajectory of my life. Soon after, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a painful disease of the central nervous system that means my body is constantly sending pain signals to the brain. Within a month, the pain had spread from my broken ankle, to both legs in their entirety. In 2009 I was rear ended by a bus when I was stopped at a red light, causing my CRPS to become worse, and injuring my neck and back. It is these experiences, and living life in non-stop pain, that inspired me to create meredithhutton79, my blog “It’s Complex”, and a series of chronic pain themed trackers and planners, all geared towards helping you manage your chronic pain day to day. By tracking your symptoms and activities daily, you will begin to identify patterns, which will help you manage your chronic pain.
After years of feeling lost in my pain, and multiple, ongoing medical and physical traumas impacting my mental health, I had a nervous breakdown. That was 2023, the year I wasn’t sure I’d make it through. 2024 was about healing and rebuilding myself, and that’s when I found and fell in love with journaling and started tracking my pain and mental health. The act of writing my thoughts down, guided by prompts, was a large part of my beginning to heal, and I began to notice patterns developing that I otherwise would not have seen. I enjoyed the time I set aside each day to journal, and update my trackers, and the process was very therapeutic. It got me thinking that I could do my own series of guided journals and trackers specifically for people living with chronic pain or chronic illness.
In the face of uncertainty and self-doubt, I embarked on a journey that led to the creation of meredithhutton79 Chronic Creative Lifestyle Management. For years, I wanted to establish a business that would empower and support individuals, particularly those grappling with chronic pain or chronic illness, as they navigate the complexities of life. However, it wasn't until I experienced a nervous breakdown in 2023 and spent 2024 recovering that I finally found the courage to pursue my dream of creating a business that is a blend of my life experiences living with chronic pain and my creativity.
The road to recovery was arduous, but with the support and encouragement of my family and friends, I took a leap of faith and launched my blog. It delves deep into the realities of living with chronic pain, offering insights, coping strategies, and a sense of community for those who often feel isolated in their struggles.
I am incredibly proud of the business I have built, and the community of like minded people it has fostered. The feedback and support I have received has been overwhelming, and I am excited to see what the future holds. Despite the challenges of living with chronic pain, I am living proof that it is possible to turn your pain into something positive and make your dreams a reality.