Tag Archives: #chronicpain

A little passion project…

If you have a chronic illness you know how often a doctor asks you to keep track of your symptoms, medication side effects, diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, etc.

I have always hated it. I find it boring and depressing. Focusing on my symptoms reminds me I am sick, focusing on my pain makes it hurt more. So I have been really bad at it. Which doesn’t help the doctors do their job better.

So I am designing chronic pain journals that have useful, interesting, or engaging elements to them and selling them on Amazon.

My first is filled with haiku I have written over the years I have been dealing with these diseases. I designed it to commiserate, uplift, and ideally make you feel less alone.

The second I designed is a chronic pain management coloring book journal, so that keeping track of all this stuff isn’t as boring. It has a floral theme.

I’m designing other journals as well, because I am stuck inside a lot and bored and creating things makes the time pass more swiftly. You can visit my author page every now and then to see what I’ve done.

One foot in front of the other…

Two dogs walking side by side on a sidewalk, one black and one with a brown and white coat, both on leashes.

It has become my motto. Literally.
My legs are starting to wobble a bit, the feeling in them uncertain and my faith in them wavering. So with an aim to increasing their strength I am walking.

Rather a lot.

I have started mapping the Little Free Libraries within 30-45 minutes (on foot) from my house. Four to five days a week I load up a backpack with books we no longer want, clip on my leash belt, a water bottle for me, a water bottle for the dogs, a treat bag for the dogs, and lastly, Bear and Penny.

Then we walk. I choose a direction and we walk in search of the Little Free Libraries. When I find one I add it to the Google list, peruse it’s offerings, and then add several of my own. We continue on.

It’s been helping, I feel stronger. The dogs are happier. I have a TBR of about 45 books now. (I may have to start skipping the taking of new books for a little while.)

I am hoping I can keep it going. I am not embarrassed to say that I am scared to lose my mobility. It’s not a thing I am ready to be graceful about.