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As a women's fiction author, single mom, and Christian with a heart for service, I lead a busy life. I'm pretty ambitious too, so balancing everything—while managing chronic health challenges for myself as well as my daughter—takes careful, intentional planning.
Writing from home has its challenges, and cold wood floors are one of mine. One of my most intrusive health issues is foot neuropathy, and I’ve learned that when cold sets in in my feet, the pain can be a major distraction. My solution? A simple heating pad placed on the floor under my desk. Resting my feet on it keeps me warm, comfortable, and focused on writing; it’s small, easy to use, and makes a huge difference in my workday. Sometimes, the best tools are the ones that quietly make life just a little bit easier.
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These discbound planner inserts were my planning go-to for nearly a year; their roomy week-on-two-pages layout, undated flexibility, and customizable style made them perfect for my family's ever-changing schedule. I loved that I could decorate them with stickers, rearrange pages, or even skip a week when life got hectic - and since lately, I've been using my phone for most of my planning, I've discovered that these pages are perfect for short-form journaling and record-keeping instead!
Of course, no planning method can account for the curveballs of life with chronic pain or complex PTSD; that’s when faith, determination, and caffeine step in to save the day! Strike Force Energy is my favorite pick-me-up - it's zero calories, zero sugar, easy to mix, and it's budget-friendly, which is mandatory for this single mom on the go. The travel-friendly packets come in multiple flavors too, so I don't get bored with just one.
Another lifesaver? This little card wallet. It's enough to hold my essentials—driver’s license, bank cards, insurance info, and even cash. Small but mighty, it keeps me organized, fits in a pocket and is always ready to go.
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Over the years, I've learned that reclaiming joy in small steps is a powerful way to nurture healing after trauma. After far too long letting other people’s preferences dull my sparkle, I’m embracing life’s little pleasures again—like wearing perfume just for me. My refillable perfume atomizer makes it easy to carry my favorite scent on the go, and I love that its compact design and see-through window mean I’m never caught without a spritz of something lovely.
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When I’m not writing (or running from one appointment or ministry assignment to another), I know it's important to stay active, despite my little collection of physical limitations. For this, my weighted infinity hoop is a game-changer. It clips securely around my waist, letting me focus on movement instead of keeping it up—a blessing since nerve damage from spina bifida makes traditional hula hooping impossible for me. This low-impact workout is fun, energizing, and perfect even for busy or low-energy days.
Staying organized, finding joy in small things, and moving when I can have been transformative. These little tools help me manage life and inspire me to keep going. But none of it would matter if I let my faith slip. When I spend too much time without my Bible in my hands, my stress levels skyrocket, my sleep patterns get totally out of whack, and I dip quickly into a negative mindset. Nurturing my faith keeps me encouraged and motivated, which is the rock-bottom foundation of how I keep everything else in balance.
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Please know that it takes a lot to get me to back a product or company, and I don't share anything I don't actually use and love. I hope you'll love some of these things as much as I do, and that you'll check back now and then - if I fall in love with something new, I'll add it here! And you never know; it might be just the thing you were looking for.
