One of the hardest parts of living with chronic illness is how much effort happens quietly. You can spend an entire day managing symptoms, anticipating limitations, and navigating other people’s expectations, and still feel like you have nothing tangible to show for...
There was a long stretch of time when my default response to almost everything was yes. Yes, I can handle that. Yes, I’ll figure it out. Yes, I’ll rest later. Not because I actually had the capacity, but because saying no felt heavier. Saying no felt like...
Have you ever noticed how often your plans hinge on the idea that you’ll “catch up” later? Later when the flare settles. Later when your energy evens out. Later when life feels a little less demanding. The circumstances change, but the structure stays the same. You...
This post is an updated and expanded version of the one I originally published on November 26, 2024. I have added deeper reflections on what the holiday season can feel like when you live with chronic illness, along with new practical tips to help you navigate this...
Burnout doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it creeps in quietly through the extra errand you promised to run, the favor you said yes to, or the meeting you convinced yourself you could handle. One day you’re managing okay, and the next, even brushing your hair...
If you live with chronic illness, you already know that energy management isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. It’s one thing to rearrange your to-do list because you’re too tired to finish the laundry. It’s another to sit there, wrapped in a blanket of shame, because...
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 adorable & 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.
