My journey since early retirement has been a circuitous one. My diagnosis of the dis-ease Multiple Sclerosis came in 2007 after a tumultuous few years. I have experienced plenty of challenging episodes made up of emotional and physical pain. I tried for years to fight against my body. I just wasn’t winning and it wasn’t showing signs of abating. My diagnosis of the dis-ease Trigeminal Neuralgia was the tipping point for me. Again after another tumultuous year in 2017. The time came when I decided to try a different approach. I started reading about how to heal from the inside out. I began studying the mind, body and spirit connection. Life is much better now. I’ve always known I wanted to share what I did to make it much better. I have created better mental health habits through letting go and making swaps. I had spent more than a decade living indoors except for going out on the end of my trusted sister’s arm occasionally. I kind of had to find another way to feel happiness again. My outside options had disintegrated, so the only place left to go was inside myself. 

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I have transformed from someone who was restricted physically and emotionally. Someone resentful, confused and probably a bit desperate to cope day to day. I have transformed my life to someone who feels completely free again - because I learned that the power and control are all in my mind and it is for me to choose my direction. To someone who has created swap habits that are outdoors, comfortable and achievable. To someone who is relentlessly positive and grateful. To someone who is happy and enjoys life.

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The changes were so significant I wanted to share what I had learned. That is why I have created swapforjoy & MEXS.

Patricia Gachagan