Letter Board No. 39

Summer is here and after a year+ of COVID lockdowns, restrictions, grocery shortages, and masks, the world is ready to get out. Out to eat. Out to the movies. Out in the sun. Out to travel or see friends. Or just to get on with their lives. I, myself, have been ready for some time now to travel or just get back to normalcy, but these words are often easier said than done for a variety of reasons. 

Weather

Here in Texas we have a variety of seasons. There was Snovid-21 where we had below snow and zero temps for a few days, with power outages and frozen pipes for many. That went into a brief Spring and then weeks of rain. The rain stopped in time for temps to get into the 90s for days on end before the actual first day of summer. And now for Fourth of July weekend….more rain. Sigh…

So walking my dog – my one thing I try to do daily to get outside -is done when I can – weather and pain/fatigue levels permitting.

I did manage to take a day off recently and spend some time outside in the sweltering heat while my husband crossed something off his bucket list…

Chronic Illness

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” But I believe Chronic illness is the thief of joy. Or it can be. I try not to let fibromyalgia rule my life, but there are so many days when I am so exhausted from doing the things I HAVE to do that there is no energy to do the things I want to do. Gardening. Photography. Painting. Long walks or hikes. 

Family obligations these days occupy a large amount of time. I moved my mom across the country last year to be closer to me, so I spend a lot of time with her. But lately that has translated to doctor and hospital visits, leaving me little time or energy to do much else. My spoons runneth out…

I do still manage daily movement, however, in some form: walking, yoga, (stationary) bike, or pilates. I have noticed that I am walking much slower these days. Looking at my statistics in my Apple Watch for the last year, I have seen a steady decline in the exertion I have been able to put out. This seems to coincide with my increased stress levels when I moved my mom here and took on those additional duties. But still, I wouldn’t change a thing. ❤

Time

I hit a wall this week. Work, family, chronic illness/pain have been sapping all of my energy. The pain and exhaustion have been endless and when I did finally get home at the end of the day I would fall on the couch and nap. This cycle left very little time for me to get outside to recharge my soul.

Early on in the week I told my boss I needed a break. With no scheduled vacation on the books I just needed a few days away. So I am taking a much needed six days off in a row. I am spending the time reading, painting, resting, cooking, and trying to heal. Here’s a picture of my weekend reading, which may give you some ideas where I am at…

Fun in the Sun

Regardless of the rain or high temps in Texas or pain and exhaustion I am experiencing – which has been A LOT lately – I try to get outside and enjoy the sun daily, even if it’s brief. This definitely helps my mood and gives me a little de-stress time. Something I need desperately these days.

(But when you get outside, please remember to protect your skin and schedule regular checks with a dermatologist to check for skin cancer.)

Related Links

Here are some links to past blog posts of mine and other bloggers that you might enjoy:

• Why We All Need Vitamin R
• Why We Need Dirt Therapy
• 8 Ways Gardening Can Improve Wellness by Terri at Reclaiming Hope
• My Skin Cancer Scare
• Caregiver TLC: 7 Tips for Self-Care
• 5 Mindful Habits by Melissa vs. Fibromyalgia
• Men’s Health Awareness Month by Katie at Painfully Living (interview with Chris Hamilton)
• And here are links to my book stack:
  • Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage and Success by Rebecca Minkoff
  • The Acid Watcher Diet: A 28-Day Reflux Prevention and Healing Program and The Acid Watcher Cookbook by Dr. Jonathan Aviv
  • The Fibromyalgia Handbook: A 7-Step Program to Halt and Even Reverse Fibromyalgia by Dr. Harrison McIlwain and Dr. Debra Bruce
  • Clean Protein: The Revolution that Will Reshape Your Body, Boost Your Energy, and Save Our Planet by Kathy Freston and Bruce Friedrich
• Also, not pictured in my book stack is what’s on my Kindle. Besides various “Acid Watcher” recipe books, I am currently reading/listening to:
  • Positivity in Pain: Finding Joy & Happiness Despite Chronic Illness by Jennifer Corter
  • Imagine it Forward: Courage, Creativity, and the Power of Change by Beth Comstock (listening to this on Audible)

We cannot drink from an empty cup, so please take time to find something to recharge your soul and fill your cup, and maybe just a little fun in the sun. I would love to hear what are you doing to get out and enjoy the outdoors these days. Does the weather affect your fibro symptoms?