đź’ŞI create resources to help people adapt to living with chronic illness so they can thrive.
What I don’t do anymore (and why it matters)
|
​
​ Hi friend, I used to think success meant doing everything—checking every box, finishing every task, and showing up the same way every day. But that version of “success” wasn’t made for people like us. It wasn’t made for bodies that crash without warning or brains that fog over before noon. It certainly wasn’t made for chronic illness. When I finally gave myself permission to stop doing things that drained me just for the sake of appearance or routine? Everything shifted. In this week’s post, I’m sharing 5 everyday things I don’t do anymore—and how skipping them has helped me conserve energy, reduce burnout, and pace more intentionally. 🛏️ One of the first things I stopped doing? Making my bed every day. Not because I don’t care about cleanliness or structure—but because I realized I was spending precious spoons on a task that didn’t actually support me. The post breaks down each skipped task into a quick life hack-style explanation: what I quit, why I quit it, and how it’s made room for routines that actually work for my body. If you’ve ever felt guilt for skipping the shower, staying in pajamas, or leaving a task half-finished—this one’s for you. 👉 Read the full post here:​ ​ ​ ​ You deserve a routine that serves you—not one that drains you just so you can feel “normal.” Take what serves you. Release the rest. ​ Warmly,
|
April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie
đź’ŞI create resources to help people adapt to living with chronic illness so they can thrive.
Sometimes I forget how long people like us have been fighting to be seen. When you live with chronic illness, it can feel like every struggle is new. Like no one has ever dealt with the exact combination of symptoms, doctors, paperwork, and doubt that you’re facing right now. And in a lot of ways, this path is uniquely yours. But this week, I’ve been thinking about the people who walked it first. The ones who didn’t have access to the internet or online communities. Who didn’t have language...
If you’ve ever hit Sunday night already dreading the week ahead—this one’s for you. I used to spend my Sundays trying to force a plan that looked good on paper. I’d sit with my planner and try to pretend I knew how much energy I’d have, how many things I could realistically handle, or how “productive” I should be. But when you live with chronic illness, it doesn’t work like that. You can’t plan your week around certainty. You can, however, pace it around compassion. What finally helped me...
Hey Reader, Have you ever bought a new planner hoping it would fix everything? I have. More than once. Every August, when the back-to-school sales hit and everyone starts talking about “fresh starts” and “new routines,” I used to get swept up in it. I’d spend hours looking at time-blocking templates and productivity systems, convinced that this time I’d finally keep up. But no matter how carefully I planned, I always ended up in the same cycle: Overcommitted. Behind. Exhausted. And I started...