• Snapshot Journal: Spring is Here—What I’m reading, writing, and doing. Plus movie recommendations and encouragement for chronic illness. | cassiecreley.com
    Blog

    Snapshot Journal: Spring Is Here

    I love that recording just a brief snapshot of what I’ve been up to has been an attainable, rewarding goal. I’ve enjoyed looking back at my previous snapshot posts.

    This practice seems especially helpful for those of us with chronic illness who enjoy journaling. I’m finally recovering from a bad ME/CFS flare that sent me to bed for most of five days and then lingered for over two weeks longer, so I wanted to spend some time reflecting on good things.

    I hope this post inspires you to create a snapshot journal of your own. Feel free to adjust it to fit your own interests and energy levels.

  • My Favorite Natural Makeup Products—The best mascara, blush, eyeliner, foundation, and lipstick I’ve found that is free of toxins and healthier for your skin.
    Blog,  Health

    My Favorite Natural Makeup Products

    I’m sharing some of my favorite natural makeup products that are free from many ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or health concerns. Plus, they’re my favorites because they look great and wear well!

    I’ll share resources for checking the safety of makeup products, and more about why I’m so passionate about makeup free of toxins, especially as someone with multiple chronic illnesses.

    It can be quite the time investment to find out which makeup is safest for your skin and health.

    I’m hoping this post will save you a lot of trial and error, and ultimately both time and money as you find healthier products.

  • Blog

    Snapshot Journal: What I’m Doing Currently

    I’m back with recommendations of books, shows, and more that I’ve been enjoying, along with an update on me.

    I took a blogging break for a few months because I received new medical diagnoses and had to have surgery in July. I also went through a time where there was concern that my cancer had recurred, but results from my surgery came back clear, praise God.

    I didn’t feel like writing about these challenges at the time. And I also didn’t feel like blogging without addressing them because it felt like I would be denying my reality and the affect it was having on me.

    I share this as a reminder that if you have a chronic illness or blog about chronic illness, we don’t have to share things right away. And we don’t have to share everything if it doesn’t feel helpful.

  • Snapshot Journal: What I’m Doing Currently: Recording what I’m doing lately to celebrate the little things and practice gratitude. | cassiecreley.com
    Blog

    Snapshot Journal: What I’m Doing Currently

    I wanted to try a new kind of blog post where I create a list showing a snapshot of what I’ve been doing lately. I’m recording what I’ve been enjoying to celebrate the little things and practice gratitude.

    This list is partly drawn from this blog post by Gillian Parlane about documenting and remembering the little things. I’ve been reading her blog after enjoying her TED Talk: Change Your Closet, Change Your Life.

    My snapshot journal is also partly inspired by what I’m learning about neuroplasticity and health.

  • Blog

    A Playlist of Calm Songs

    I have some ideas to share that will help you create a calm playlist when you need some quiet, relaxing music. 

    A few years ago, I started creating a calm playlist to listen to while I do my physical therapy stretches and when I’m trying to unwind at night.

    Because of my POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), a form of Dysautonomia, my autonomic nervous system doesn’t function correctly, One of the symptoms I deal with is rapid heartbeat, which can make it especially hard to relax. Music isn’t a cure by any means, but its one of the tools in my toolbox (including medicine) that I can turn to.

  • Get To Know Me Tag Writer’s Edition: Connecting with other bloggers to share our writing goals, favorite books, and more.
    Blog,  Write

    Get To Know Me Tag—Writer’s Edition

    It’s a new year, so this seems like the perfect time to reintroduce myself here on the blog. Here are some quick facts about me, especially me as a writer!

    Welcome to everyone who has started following me recently, and thank you for sticking around all of you who have been with me since this blog launched in 2018. (I can’t believe March will mark this blog’s five year anniversary!)