Free Printables
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How “Choosing” Helps on Bad Days + Free Printables
“Today I choose to”—these are powerful words to reframe thinking. I’ve started reminding myself that “I have a choice” to help me get through bad chronic illness days, and today I’m sharing my tips for “choosing” when we feel stuck. Plus, I’ve created three free printables to help you choose what you want to focus on, whether you feel stuck because of chronic illness, being at home because of social distancing during quarantine, or whatever challenges you might be facing.
I’ve found that I can tolerate most things if I feel like I have a choice. In other words, when I reframe my thinking and choose how to respond, I feel more in control and able to cope with a situation, even if that situation is far from ideal.
What got me thinking about this? Not too long ago I was lying in my recliner, where I spend a lot of my time due to dysautonomia, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS (myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome), and other chronic conditions. And I was frustrated because I did not want to be there, just watching TV. My mind was buzzing with all of the things I wished I could be doing. I didn’t want to rest, I wanted to do things!
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Send A Box of Sunshine + Free Card Printables
I’m so excited to share new sunshine printables with you, especially since you can use these printables to brighten someone’s day!
I love the gift idea of sending someone a box of happy yellow and orange goodies and calling it “A Box of Sunshine.” I got inspired when I saw this idea on Pinterest and wanted to make my own printables to match the theme. You can download the printables for free at the end of this post. You can use them as a card or a label for your box.
I have a friend whose nickname is Sunshine, and I wanted to send her a package of sunshine during the dark winter months (though this gift idea is perfect year-round too!) The only problem? Like me, she has food allergies. A lot of the boxes I’ve seen online contain a lot of junk food. Sure, it’s colorful, but there must be more healthy and delicious treats to include! Plus, I wanted to think up ideas that weren’t just food-related.
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Halloween Printables—Mason Jar Labels
I love Halloween and candy! The only thing about the holiday that has been bumming me out lately—I can’t eat all the beautiful, colorful treats!
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I have food allergies, so it’s hard to find allergy-friendly candies in festive packaging. (I thought it was in fact impossible until I learned that these allergy-free snacks existed. I’m thinking I need to try them…) And even if I make my own desserts, they’re often monochromatic. (I mean, I love chocolate, but part of the fun of a holiday is dressing up your desserts.) It’s proven hard to find natural food coloring that doesn’t taste funky, so I needed to get creative to find other ways to make my desserts scream Halloween.
I wanted to think of a way to add some pumpkin orange, pretty purple, and candy-corn yellow to my Halloween baking. So, I thought up the idea of making these wraparound labels perfect for labeling canning jars! I’m pretty dang excited to use them, and I hope you are too! I’ll let you know how to download them at the end of this post.
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Activities for Summer Fun #2—Low Cost, Low Energy + A Free Printable
Summer is my favorite time of year! Now that summer is officially here, I want to make the most of it by making some plans. So I’m sharing a list of fun activities with you all.
Last year, I blogged about ideas for summer fun that are easier for those of us with health issues (and included a free printable you can download), and this year I’m expanding on that list.
While most summery lists are geared toward people who are healthy, my list is achievable for people who deal with chronic illness and chronic fatigue. I’ve put together ideas that are adaptable for a variety of energy levels. I hope you’ll use this list as a jumping off point to craft a beautiful summer full of sun, novelty, creativity, and friends and family.
Find out how to get this list as a free printable at the end of this post. I enjoyed checking off items on last year’s list and seeing just how much I was able to accomplish!
Also, these ideas are mostly free or inexpensive, making them perfect for anyone who wants to save money. These would make great experiences for families with kids home for the summer too.
For some with chronic illness, summer can mean symptoms ease up a little, but for others the heat can actually exacerbate illness. You’ll notice that most of these ideas would be something you could do year round. If summer is rough on you, tuck this list away for another time of year when you have more energy.
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Free Philippians 4:8 Printables
I love Philippians 4:8’s reminder of where we should focus our thoughts, and created this printable based on the verse:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (NIV)
I’ve tried to memorize this verse, and I always seem to get hung up on remembering exactly which words appear in exactly which order. I think all the “whatever’s” throw me off! That, and brain fog has messed with my ability to memorize things.
So I wanted to create a printable that captured the essence of the verse. A quick glance at this printable offers a description of the kinds of thoughts that are most glorifying to God, and most beneficial for us.
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Easy & Affordable Ideas For Summer Fun + A Free Printable
If you’re looking for ideas for summer fun , I’ve been compiling a list of activities that won’t drain your energy or your pocketbook. My goal has been to make a list that is inspiring and feels achievable.
What inspired this list? I think it’s important to be intentional to make time to try new experiences and have a sense of adventure in life, and I enjoy suggestions on Pinterest and various blogs. Lately, however, when I see “bucket lists” or lists of what you “must-do’s before you’re 20/25/30” or “20 things to do to have the perfect summer” I feel discouraged because the activities are out of reach. These lists can assume that people have unlimited time, energy, and money and can lead to unhealthy comparison and discontent. What about those of us with chronic pain and/or illness?
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I had to take a moment and pause to realize that just because all these fun things were on a list doesn’t mean that someone else is enjoying them. (Honestly, how many people fit into one summer a backpacking trip across Europe, snorkeling, a road trip, Disneyworld, etc. etc.?!) I found myself feeling jealous for no reason thinking of these imaginary people having all of these imaginary adventures!
Let’s be a little more realistic. Lists of ideas can be a fun jumping off point so that you can pick and choose a few activities that you’re most excited about. And just because I’m dealing with chronic illness doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the summer. For those of us who are sick, we have to work a little harder to find fun opportunities that are doable. We have to do some mining, but that’s how we find the gold. If we’re intentional and realistic, we can build many beautiful memories to treasure this summer.
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Words of Encouragement for Each Day and FREE Printables
I’ve been collecting words that I want to focus on during the day. They’re words that encourage me in my faith and help me to rise above my present circumstances.
I want to share these words with you, along with what they mean to me.
You can download the free printable subway signs
