[Review #2] The Pillow Fort!

Now if you know me in "real life", you will know that sometimes I struggle deeply with being positive and seeing the positives of myself. My self worth was about nil earlier this year, and it left me isolated, terrified, and feeling quite broken physically. I worked very hard to build a new support system for myself, and some how stumbled about The Pillow Fort. 

A magazine as well as community and blog that centers around positivity and chronic illness. All of this was built by the amazing Elizabeth Goddard, a young woman who suffers with chronic illness herself. 





The Group (Pillow Fighters Club)

You may be thinking "How in the world can you be positive about being sick". Prepare to have your mind opened. 

 The sub title is "Making Chronic illness Suck less." And it most certainly does!

The pillow fort group on Facebook has a simple set of rules that create a safe, comforting, and empowering environment.

"The rule, only positivity allowed!"

Okay, I may have lied about there being a set. But this simple rule alone creates a space where young, chronically ill people can build support systems, friendships, and better yet, learn more about themselves and learn to love and value themselves again in the face of illness. 

Now, don't be scared off. The Pillow Fort makes it very clear that the group doesn't just support you on good days, but the bad, achy, lonely days as well. Everyone works hard to create an environment in which we are all encouraged to thrive. Bad and good days included.

The Magazine 

The magazine offers insights from young chronically ill people,
 usually on a loose theme each month. Each story, each advice article, is filled with love and meaning and the want to help those around them learn the same things they learned through their own struggles. As ill young people, it is very difficult to find representation for us, material targeted at as, etc. So to have a magazine (that also advertises health and positive business/blogs) be created by, edited by, and written by ill young people themselves is truly an individualistic gem of solidarity and creativity in it's self. 

Not only that, but Lizzy coordinates stocking products from individual young people who are ill in the shop, further progressing the movement of small business as well as accessible home business for many people who find it difficult working in a "typical" setting. 


My Thoughts  

I find this place, the group, the magazine, a second home where I can relax and focus on my well being as well as aid those who are also on the same road. The quality of the magazine is easily comparable to ones you'd find at any book store with bright colors, beautiful photography, and meaningful words shared from one young person to another. The Facebook group is ran by the Pillow Patrol, and is a safe haven to many. Not on this, but the group is open to anyone of any religion, gender/gender expression, diagnosed, undiagnosed, and includes mental illness. Which is huge!

I suggest anyone with any chronic illness give the magazine and group a try. It truly does wonders for ones self esteem when they are struggling with their self image after illness. I feel brighter than I ever have knowing I am a member of this group. I am forever changed and thankful.

 Links!

(the blank is a link to the website! It will redirect to FB but it is safe!)

- Spencer