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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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May 2019 Musings – Regrouping, Investigating, Boosting, Setting & Reviving
I’m excited to participate in A Chronic Voice’s link up for the first time! Link up parties are a fun way for bloggers to connect and write about similar themes, and this one is geared towards those of us in the chronic illness community. I’ve never had a chance to participate in one before, so I’ve been eager to give it a try. Let me know what you think of this style of post in the comments.
The themes for this month are Regrouping, Investigating, Boosting, Setting and Reviving.
It was a nice change to have guidelines “assigned” for writing a blog post. (I think Andy Warhol was onto something about having a “boss on retainer.” Having the framework for a post given to me felt a little more structured—like having a boss vs. winging it on my own.)
So, using A Chronic Voice’s five writing prompts for this month as a jumping off point, here’s what has been going on with me lately.
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Why I’m Taking A Mini Blogging Break
Hello readers! I wanted to let you know that I’m going to take the next two-three weeks away from my blog.
I have upcoming ideas I’m excited to share with you, but first, I need to have a little down time.
I realized this is a needed break for my health. My body is having trouble adjusting to the fact that I had to stop a treatment that my doctor no longer provides, so I need to look into some other ways to support my pain and fatigue. Also, I’m hoping to start a detox, which my doctors have warned me will likely increase my exhaustion, so I want to give myself some space to get through that. I’m really hopeful I’ll see a benefit from this treatment.
Also, I’ve found that blogging has taken up all the time I have for creative pursuits, so I want to take some time to switch things up and pursue some things I haven’t had the time for. (And I’ll share about those fun things with you all!)
I look forward to catching up with you all soon!
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To the Christian Who Feels Sad at Christmastime—Here’s What’s Helping Me
We’re getting real on the blog today.
I want talk about struggling with feelings of sadness around Christmas, something that can impact anyone, not only those of us with chronic illness.
In a way, this feels a bit like a taboo subject. I kind of worry about admitting to this struggle out of fear that people will think I’m not grateful for all Christmas represents (it is Jesus’ birthday after all!) or that my sadness means I somehow dislike Christmas (which certainly is not the case!)
I’ve struggled over the past several holiday seasons, and a lot of it has had to do with getting used to my limitations due to chronic illness. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, so in addition to struggling with not feeling happy, I’m also struggling with not feeling quite like myself. My love for Christmas is a part of who I am, so this sadness is yet another way my chronic illnesses impact my identity.
And I think as Christians we can sometimes feel pressure to feel or act happy 24/7, so feeling sad this time of year adds another layer of complexity—I feel guilty about it!
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Altered Coloring Book Art #2 – Steampunk Aurora
I’m enjoying playing around with reimagining and altering color book pages. It’s proving to be a fun way to get creative even though I’m very low on energy.
(Check out my first attempt
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Altered Coloring Book Art #1 – Belle
This is an idea just for fun if you want to make unique art but are low on energy.
Often when I want to be creative, I’m too tired to make something original. I decided to turn this frustration into an opportunity to use my imagination. I love coloring books, but sometimes I get tired of having to literally color within the lines.
Part of the joy of being creative is making something new. I started thinking back to my childhood and how I loved to change things in coloring books—I’d make the characters’ dresses different colors than they were in the movies or add detail to the background.
This post contains affiliate links.
If you’re like me and deal with chronic illness and/or chronic pain, you’ve probably heard a doctor emphasize the importance of managing stress. Studies do indeed show that coloring can help with stress and lower anxiety. When managing illness, I’ve learned its also important to take time to do something you enjoy. I love the oppurtunity to get creative, so coloring is a great low-key option.
I started flipping through a Disney coloring book and just let my mind wander. Hmmm, why is the tree Belle sitting on so huge? It makes her look the size of a fairy. Aha! I could draw her with fairy wings!
Before…
