Look at ​that beautiful Lily! Everyday there seems to be something new in the garden. It's constantly changing. I try to take a walk through the house daily, so I can look out the windows and see the different parts of our garden, it doesn't always happen, but it's a goal. ​And I've been careful to stay out of direct sunlight, shading my eyes better this week, after my sun-induced crash ​recently.

Looking Back On The Past Week

I've spent much of this week in the dark after some ​unforseen circumstances at the end of last ​week caused a flare. Ma brought ​some beautiful flowers in ​​while I was not doing so well. Having ​fresh flowers ​from our own garden ​in my room is such a treat, especially when ​I can't get out of the house regularly. I did however finally get out into the garden later in the week. So much colour, such a joy!

It's time for another personal update. Time to reassess and set realistic goals. This month has been so much harder than I anticipated. Somehow I imagined that summer would bring better health and more energy along with sunnier days and warmer temperatures, but it hasn't really. I have spent so much time in bed!

Despite this, there have been some exciting things happening here. Exciting for me anyway, not sure anybody else would define it as such! Haha... 

• I got new glasses and prescription sunglasses (or was that in May?)
• I got back into painting after a month off (slowly but surely...)
• I made a few crafty things while in bed, to brighten my room (will show off soon!)
• My parents bought us a bunch more mini cacti which I love! (see photos below)

There are many little things that have brought a smile to my heart even though I have been quite weak and flaring lately. It's important to focus on and cherish those little blessings that we so often overlook in the chaos of everyday life. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude. It really makes things easier to handle even if it will never cure our ills or heal our pain, it can certainly make life more pleasant!

Would you like to know how you can reduce the stress that comes from doing life with a chronic illness? When living with a chronic illness it is easy to let all sorts of negative feelings creep in. Guilt, loneliness, fear, frustration, helplessness, these are all common emotions among spoonies, and they're not the only ones or the worst.

​But the problem with letting such emotions linger is that they tend to cause havoc in our bodies, often making us more ill. It is important for people with any sort of chronic illness to find ways to reduce stress and negativity if they wish to feel any improvement.