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Simply Spark Joy
Sometimes life can tend to feel meaningless if all you do is work, eat, sleep, repeat.
It can tend to feel like groundhog day.
What are some of the things do you do daily in your life that lights you up and sparks joy?
If you dont know what lights you up, no need to panic we are going to go through an activity later in the post.
It’s important to find out what brings joy to your life.
You are missing out on the best free resource available to you, your very own happiness hormones, dopamine and serotonin.
You don’t need your devices so feel free to read this blog post all the way through and then turn them off.
If the idea of turning your phone off scares you, then you possibly need a digital detox.
I would highly recommend it.
I recently detoxed my phone for a month, i put all my accounts on disable and hid.
I set myself a goal and then said to myself I would download them again at the end of the month and I never did.
The first day of the detox was hard, as is any detox.
I was just found myself randomly looking in my phone for something that was no longer there.
I had deleted my apps and yet my brain was still looking for them.
I found that new ideas helped me put my phone down and really enjoy the things I was doing.
Some times you just have to look up, probably just from your device.
Grab a pad and pen.
Sit and brainstorm all the thoughts swirling around in your head on your note pad, there is no right or wrong, just write.
Write whatever comes to your mind first, let go of judgement of yourself, just allow it to come out.
then scrunch that piece up and throw it away, take a couple of deep breaths and then..
On a fresh sheet of paper, write down as many tasks that bring you joy as you can think of.
Could be something you have never done and want to try or something you know really well.
For me it is writing, being an indoor plant Mumma, listening to beautiful music, while reading in my favourite chair with a hot cup of tea. Bliss.
For others it might be walking the dog or volunteering with the local shelter, it could be as simple as spending time in nature.
Write. out. Everything!
Don’t hold back, the only person that will lose out is yourself. Nothing is too big or too small, as long as it lights you up.
Remember, this list is continuous and will change and develop over time, as you change. You can add more things to your list as you discover them
After you have written out as much as you can, get a coloured marker and circle the ones you already do on a regular basis.
Next, get up have a stretch and a glass of water.
Get up, I know you didn’t.
Then come back your piece of paper and now circle the ones that you would like to start doing more often and that are small enough to achieve.
Now, take only the ones circled in purple and make them into a beautiful, final copy.
Stick it up on the fridge and review it every time your waiting for something in the kitchen.
Just be careful not to overwhelm yourself, pick a couple of things off the list for the next few months and the key is just to have fun, but do them on a regular basis.
Remember there is no right or wrong, just JOY.
Having a purpose, passion or interest are the things that light you up.
Learning about yourself is so important for growth and it makes you apart of something bigger.
What’s on your list that brings you joy?
simplysparkjoy #happinessisfree
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The Ultimate Chronic Pain & Self-Care Kit
Maybe I should have called it – 26 tips you have never heard of for chronic pain by a chronic pain warrior.
I created this list from living with chronic pain for 18 plus years and after so many hospital stays and recoveries; When the pain cycle starts, I need all the help I can get. Fast.
So over the years, I have compiled a list of great products or ideas to help the pain and make life easier.
I hope it helps you too, please let me know in the comments.
1. A bigger than average bedside table with good storage. this helps me keep everything close by for when I have a flare, it eases my anxiety and makes it easier to rest faster. In the draws have a hot pack, warm socks, snacks, water, med bag, tissues, lip balm, moisturiser, earplugs, eye mask and a notebook to list everything else you think of while you are laying down resting; it’s usually where I have my best ideas.
2. Treat yourself to a beautiful makeup bag, to store all the things you need in flair and keep your meds inside, earplugs, favourite lip balm, headphones. This way you only need to grab your kit and have it with your handbag while out and everywhere with you at home. Mine is about a4 size and fits perfectly in a bag. this tops my bag being a dumping ground, lets people help me quickly, makes it easy to swap bags and grab on the run.
3. Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones around the house or in public, not to completely stop sounds, but just to help muffle them. It helps me when I’m overwhelmed by sounds and very helpful in the shops when the whole world seems to be talking at once.
4. An electric hot water bottle. I love mine I take it everywhere. I even made it a new cover to suit me. Plus it makes me super comfortable and I can carry it in my bag. If I need to get it from the car to a restaurant, I just hide it under a baggy shirt or jumper. It lasts a few hrs and charges next to your bed. No more waiting for by the kettle to boil.
5. If your bra is annoying and your tags irritate you, wear a soft singlet or a T-shirt underneath it. Bamboo is amazing for extra comfort if you need a change. I can’t wear bras, so instead, I buy very soft tops that don’t need a bra or wireless bras.
6. A diffuser – Set up a diffuser where you need to lay down when your flaring it’s amazing for essential oils. It’s a nice way to calm a whole house down. Relax with lavender or get a pick me up with orange oil. If you have pets make sure your oils are safe to use around them first.
7. Do you wake up with a sore jaw? I suffer from bad TMJ. I Tried sleeping with a moulded sports mouthguard and it helped a lot. You can get them for a few dollars in most chemists. It stops me tensing my jaw up and from getting widespread jaw pain while I sleep. A pen or pencil between the teeth for a minute helps too, just remember to not bite down to hard.
8. A weighted blanket. I have the best nights of sleep or naps with mine. I feel like I’m being hugged and it helps me relax quickly. Helps the most with my PTSD attacks, pain and anxiety. My young daughter loves it too.
9. Dry mouth from your medication? You can fix it with a dry mouth spray or toothpaste that you buy in the chemist. I always carry it in my bag.
10. Use a beautiful double-walled cup for tea, coffee with a lid and a cup and straw. I tend to knock things over and forget I’ve made drinks, this helps keeps them hot for 4 hrs and cold for 8. This helps me drink more water without thinking about it. Make sure you find one you love this way you will want to take it everywhere with you.
11. Hire a wheelchair, in the shopping center they are usually free. Don’t be afraid of it. It saves me when we have to be out for a long time and my daughter loves to ride along. Win-win.
12. Wear your sunglasses inside if you are struggling with brightness or a migraine headache. Blue light glasses are awesome too especially to watch TV and use technology with.
13. Keep moisturiser next to your bed in a nice pump bottle. It also helps you to remember to use it if you see it. I use a natural multi-purpose one for face, hands and skin.
14. Get a button grip for the back for your phone. It’s my lifesaver and also stops me dropping my phone on my face while I’m laying down and makes it easier to grip when my hands are playing up.
15. When you find PJs you love to buy a few pairs of them with different patterns. Same for shoes, tops and jeggings.
16. Invest in a real pair of ugg boots or summer house slippers that make you feel fancy. I have a few pairs of fluffy slip shoes and I wear them all day. My feet tend to hurt a lot, even just stepping from carpet to tile can hurt.17. A coccyx cushion for the car, lounge or office. It takes the pressure off your spine and helps with long trips, cinema visits and keeps sciatica from striking.
18. I don’t like body pillows and I normally sleep with a different one between my knees and one in between my arms. Easy fix, simply buy the body pillowcase and put two different pillows inside to suit you and the pillowcase just helps holds them together.
19. A tiny purse and a small shoulder bag for the days you can’t carry much when your flaring. I found a card wallet with a clip on it so I can attach it to my keys. Plus I know it’s all together and safe in the bag. Make sure it fits your phone and some meds
20. Keep an emergency custom medical kit just for you, in the car, including sick bags.
21. Have a list of current medications on your phone. Helps you remember when memory isn’t working or I end up at the hospital with no purse.
22. If you can, invest in an electric bed or new bed. We spend over half our life asleep. I know I spend more time in bed than I do on my couch or in my car, so invest wisely.
23. Use Netflix or Stan when I’m bored to make lists of movies and search them later for when you are really in the mood or don’t have the energy to do it later. When you are exhausted it makes it easier to have something to watch without trying to make decisions.
24. Listen to audio books. I love reading but sometimes I just want to listen.
25. An eye mask to block out light and earplugs for noise. Add the weighted blanket and its magical. It’s like being in your own meditation pod.
26. Take your time to read this next one and when your ready, you can tackle this task. How to create a capsule wardrobe to make your life so much easier and comfortable.
Pull all of your clothes out of your draws and cupboards #Mariekondo style.
Lay them out on your bed.
Pick out all your favourite things first and ask “Would I buy this today?” move all the ones you don’t want into seasonal storage and donate/sell box.
Work on that until your only left with your favourite items.
Next Layout all your bottoms (jeans, shorts etc)Hold one top at a time and see how many times it matches with your favourite all your favourite bottoms. If something doesn’t go with anything then it’s not going to get worn decide to store or donate.
Once you are finished see how many things you have left.
There is no special number of clothes but it helps you make easier decisions about your wardrobe and lessen your workload.It helps with the overwhelming feeling like there isn’t anything to wear. Wear your favourite clothes every day, invest in awesome PJs or check out my Pinterest board – chronic pain wardrobe.
You have reached the end of my 26 tips you have never heard of for chronic pain.
I hope you found something useful and please remember to not rush out and spend money. A lot of these things can be done without spending anything.
Got something else? add it in the comments.
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The New Normal
A view through the eyes of someone who lives through it every day.
My names Angela and this is my blog, I have lived with chronic pain for 17 years. I’m hoping to show you that grieving the old life and embracing the new, doesn’t have to be difficult or hard.
“In times of crisis, let it be the perfect time for self-reflection”
Angela Jade – Find yourself here.
What can you learn about yourself from this pandemic?
I live with chronic pain and have done for over 17 years. My world has stopped many times before this virus shut down the world and now being quarantined sounds like the new normal for so many people across the globe.
I’ve learnt over the years how to live with life not going to plan and how this can help you relate to a new way of living.
Just like chronic pain patients, the first thing we will all want is for things to go back to normal. What we don’t realize is that we can’t, this is a new world that is upon us. Virus or not, the world is changing.
We all have to create our new normal, just like chronic pain patients have had to do for some time.
We have two choices in times of fear, we can face it and continue living our lives and make a difference to our inner circle or we can live in a constant state of fear, causing chaos in your home and mind.
I can tell you, from years of experience living with chronic pain, that living in fear is a horrible place to live, you are scared of everything that moves and not knowing what one day holds to the next can leave you feeling really uneasy.
Something else being a chronic pain patient has taught me is patience, not waiting to start things I love doing; unless I’m in a flair then, I listen to my body and rest. I can still attempt to do most of the things I envy on my Pinterest feed.
Make a schedule with easily achievable things to get done, like being creative or even just cooking. It helps when you have got a plan, especially when you aren’t getting changed out of your pj’s. Do things to make you feel like your reaching small goals.
I wear clothes that I love every day, It’s good for your soul. We don’t spend money on clothes we love to keep them stored away for a special occasion or rainy day. Wear it and let it bring you joy. Even if it is just for sitting around the house.
If you don’t wear it then get rid of it.
Decluttering and minimizing is great for your mind, body and soul. Having an organised house = less cleaning.
I was very comfortable spending time alone before this pandemic started.
Most of us hadn’t really spent much time alone or even this much time with others.This can feel daunting and overwhelming, especially for introverts like me. Even for the extroverts, it’s a big ask.
Now is the time to look inside yourself and see what you find, you might be surprised by your thoughts and feelings. Journaling is amazing for this. Freewrite, let it all out. Throw it away without reading, tear it up also works well to release.
I stay away from the mainstream media as much as I can, they tend to add to my anxiety of things that are out of my control.
Don’t get me wrong, by all means, watch a little bit and then go back to the things you can control, your words, your actions, your ideas, your effort, your thoughts, and your behaviour.
We don’t need to change anything around us, we just need to learn to be comfortable in the things that you can control, let go of what you can’t.
I tend to get mad and have a very short fuse when I have no patience left, this is my first sign I need immediate self-care. If our buckets of stress are overflowing every day then, of course, we are going to be mad.
Note: To also check you are not just hungry, we’ve all had days like these.
In times of crisis, let it be the perfect time for self-reflection.
What do you want to continue in your new normal?
What do you not want to take?
what do you want your life to look like, day today?
What does your perfect day look like?Try and create this in your home, your happiness will increase and this is something you can continue to do within your home into an uncertain future.
This will help your mental health and help calm everyone around you too, you will probably find many of the things you like to do, actually can cost no money and you can do it from home.
Be realistic about what you want and keep it simple. If it’s not simple, keep going until it’s simplified.
I’ve found there is importance in finding things to do and learning new things, at any age.
Try, fail and try again, maybe try something different next time. Until you find things that you get the joy smile from.
So far I have learnt while in quarantine…
How to make a sourdough starter kit.
Created alcohol ink art
I’ve planted in my new veggie patch my man built me and am growing my own veggies and some amazing fruit in pots. Watching things grow is a soul refresh.
I have picked a room a day and decluttered it over and over until it worked well and stayed clean.
Iv help my child write a book over the phone while she was at her dad’s. She created a line and then I created a line. She was so happy to make this with me, even over the phone people are able to spread joy to others even without seeing them face to face.
Be creative. have fun and remember to not wait for this virus to stop, before starting to live your life even if it is from your home for the time being.
What does your new normal look like?
