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How I Use Energy Budgeting for Chronic Illness

How I Use Energy Budgeting for Chronic Illness

by April Smith | May 6, 2025 | Building Resilience

There was a time when I couldn’t tell if I was actually tired or just overwhelmed. I’d end the day completely drained, even if I hadn’t done much on paper. Sound familiar? I knew I had to make a change, but I didn’t know where to start. That’s when I revisited a...
The Best Chronic Fatigue Management Tips That Changed My Life

The Best Chronic Fatigue Management Tips That Changed My Life

by April Smith | Apr 15, 2025 | Building Resilience

When you’re living with chronic fatigue, every ounce of energy matters. But learning how to protect that energy isn’t always obvious—especially when the world seems built for people who can push through anything. Chronic fatigue often isn’t a...
Is Rest the Most Underrated Part of Chronic Illness Management?

Is Rest the Most Underrated Part of Chronic Illness Management?

by April Smith | Apr 1, 2025 | Building Resilience

When you live with a chronic illness, you hear all kinds of advice—track your symptoms, go to therapy, manage your medications, change your diet. But you know what’s rarely at the top of the list? Rest. And yet, it might just be the most powerful (and most overlooked)...
How to Find Peace by Accepting Your Chronic Illness

How to Find Peace by Accepting Your Chronic Illness

by April Smith | Feb 24, 2025 | Building Resilience

When I was first diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, I felt like my world had been turned upside down. My future suddenly seemed uncertain, and I couldn’t imagine how I’d ever thrive with a condition that affected so much of my daily life. At first, I...
Why Managing Energy Is More Important Than Managing Time

Why Managing Energy Is More Important Than Managing Time

by April Smith | Feb 11, 2025 | Building Resilience

When I was first diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), I thought the key to maintaining some sense of normalcy was learning how to manage my time better. If I could just plan my days more efficiently, schedule my tasks in the right order, and make...
How Personal Growth Empowers Life with Chronic Illness

How Personal Growth Empowers Life with Chronic Illness

by April Smith | Jan 2, 2025 | Building Resilience

Living with a chronic illness often feels like life is pulling you along for the ride, but it doesn’t have to be that way. What if you could take back the reins and create a life that’s not just about surviving but thriving? That’s where personal growth comes in. By...
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April Smith is the voice behind The Thriving Spoonie—a resource hub for spoonies navigating daily life with chronic illness. With a practical, no-fluff approach to energy management, pacing, and self-advocacy, April shares real-life tools and encouragement to help you adapt and thrive—on your terms. (alt text: Portrait of April Smith, a smiling white person with short brown hair and green eyes, wearing a denim shirt, set against a light green background with a teal circle frame.)

Hi, I’m April-

a queer chronic illness blogger and digital resource creator. I make low-pressure tools and compassionate content for chronically ill and disabled folks navigating life with pain and limited energy.

When I’m not creating for The Thriving Spoonie, I’m a spouse to the best partner a spoonie could ask for, and a pet parent to an adorably & anxious rescue pup. You’ll usually find me crocheting, curled up with a library book, or playing cozy PC games—with coffee in hand, always.

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The Daily Routines Guidebook

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Recent Posts

  • Why Self-Compassion Feels Out of Reach With Chronic Illness
  • Post-Holiday Fatigue With Chronic Illness: Why You Feel Wiped Out
  • How to Gently Rebuild Your Daily Rhythm After the Holidays When You Have a Chronic Illness
  • Resting Through the New Year: A Spoonie’s Alternative to Resolutions
  • How to Enjoy Winter With Chronic Illness: 10 Low-Energy Activities That Bring Comfort

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  • Building Resilience
  • Living With Chronic Illness
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The Energy Management Toolkit

Discover balance and vitality with our Energy Management Toolkit. Navigate chronic illness with practical strategies to optimize energy levels and reduce stress. Download now and start your journey to sustainable well-being!

Feeling drained and overwhelmed by unpredictable energy levels?

Get the Energy Management Toolkit & learn to understand your energy fluctuations so you can do more of what matters—without the burnout.

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Struggling to find chronic illness and invisible illness spaces that actually feel inclusive? This badge represents a community built for LGBTQIA+ spoonies, disabled folks, and neurodivergent readers who deserve support without judgment or pressure. Click to explore compassionate, accessible resources designed for life with chronic illness and invisible illness.
At The Thriving Spoonie, I am committed to creating a safe and inclusive space where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered. I welcome people of all races, ages, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds. I believe in equity, inclusion, and intentional community. My values include standing against racism, ableism, and all forms of discrimination, which inform and empower my work here. If you share these values, I invite you to join me in building a space where we can all thrive together.

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