It’s time for May 2019’s Link Party with Sheryl at “A Chronic Voice!” I missed last month’s link party, because I just ran out of month. So I figured I better do this month’s post sooner rather than later. This month’s prompts are:

Regrouping
Every month I try to figure out what I would like to focus on for the coming month. It feels like a futile exercise, because most months, I come nowhere close to doing what I planned out. I just keep trying anyway.
I’m also trying to regroup from the disappointment of losing weight, and still struggling with fatigue, pain, and brain fog. If anyone tells you that losing weight will cure your fibromyalgia they don’t know what they’re talking about.
Losing weight has made my breathing much better, and my cholesterol and blood sugar is back in normal ranges. I really didn’t want diabetes along with everything else! So, I’m really happy about my lab results!!
If you would like to read about my weight loss journey you can check it out here. https://upbeatliving.net/bright-line-eating-plan-journey-beginnings/
Investigating
I’m investigating the possibility of writing a book. I just checked three, writing books out of the library, and have been listening to Writing and Self-publishing podcasts. Part of me thinks that I’ve finally lost my marbles completely, and another part of me says “Why not?”
The topic of the book would be about healing from domestic abuse. It’s been over 12 years since I left my abusive ex, and I’m still not confident that I’ve completely healed from it. However, I have learned a few things along the way that may help another woman.
I did sign up for a Writer’s Retreat next month. Like I said, I could be crazy.
Boosting
I wish I could find a way to boost my energy levels. My go-to energy boosters used to be sugar and caffeine. I think part of my problem, is my unwillingness to take a nap during the day. I lay down, but spend the whole time on my phone playing games. That isn’t resting. Maybe if I started napping daily with electronics off, I’d have more energy. Here’s an article that I’ve read recently:
Top Ten Ways To Boost Your Energy https://www.webmd.com/women/features/10-energy-boosters#2
Setting
Of all the ten ways listed in the above article, I think I need to try taking a daily nap. After lunch, my energy plummets, so maybe that would be a good time to set my phone timer, and really close my eyes. I’ll let you know how my experiment works in next month’s link party. Here’s another article I found on napping:
How To Power Nap Like A Pro
https://greatist.com/happiness/how-power-nap-pro
Reviving
I have this Snake (Sansevieria) plant that is not healthy. It is also called a Mother-in Law Tongue. It’s supposed to look like this:

Mine looks like this:

I usually have a green thumb, and all of my other plants are doing well. Just this one is falling over, and I’ve had to remove yellow and green shriveling leaves. The question is “Can it be revived or is it time to let it go?” My research hasn’t given me any real ideas. Are there any plant experts out there?
I could use my mother’s approach. She would trim unhealthy plants way back close to the soil. They always grew back beautifully. It just feels all wrong to whack at it like that though.
Link Party Wrap Up
I’d love to hear what you’re up to! Leave a comment and I’ll get back to you ASAP. If you’d like to get email notifications about new posts, and access to other goodies, please enter your email address below. Till next time, Kathy
Nice content, good read and informative,
Thank you for stopping by!
By the way, this post made it to the Top Health Tweets on my Twitter feed this week and I’ve listed it here. Keep up the fab work, Kathy!
https://www.achronicvoice .com/2019/05/24/issue-162-top-health-tweets/
I also have a snake plant that isn’t doing very well :/ I have it planted outside and it rained a lot, so I think it may have gotten over watered. I trimmed some of the leaves, but I just don’t want the whole thing to die if I trim back too much. Hopefully, with time it’ll get back to being a happy lil plant 🙂
I am also chronically ill and setting goals is hard, but I like that you regroup every month, even if you don’t always accomplish what you set out to do. I think I may start implementing something like that in my life. It’s almost like taking inventory of everything.
It does help to just restart each month. My self-care practices need repeating anyway. I set my To Do’s but I also prioritize them. As long as I get the “Must Do” items complete, I feel successful. Thanks for stopping by, Melanie!!
This was such a great read. I could relate on so many levels. I have the issue with my plants. Most of mine look like your snake plant. I have found the nap makes a difference for me when I make time and actually let my body rest. Thanks for the article on energy boosters I am always looking for new tips there.
Thanks for coming by, reading, and commenting! This morning when I got up the slightly bent leaf in the front was completely bent in half. ): Do to unforeseen craziness, I didn’t get a nap today or yesterday, and I am really tired.
Thanks for joining us again dearie 🙂 The resilience of plants are amazing. But like you i’ve never had a green thumb or patience heh.
Go for your book! Even if it isn’t completed, it’s always great to be immersed and passionate about something in life 😀
And I hear you on not accomplishing set goals every month haha…I am the same way. all we can do is keep trying hey?
Thank you, Sheryl, for running this Link Party, and for your encouragement on writing!
Thanks Jennifer for coming by, reading, and commenting. It’s a topic that would require quite a bit of bravery. I hope you find something to boost your energy!
Yes! Take the nap! And writing, that sounds exciting.
Thanks for agreeing on the nap and the writing!
Writing a book is such a great idea! I am really passionate about gender issues so I would be really interested to read a book based on that topic. It would be a very brave and incredible thing to do!
Thanks for sharing that link on energy boosting tips because energy is something I really wish I had more, so I will be checking it out. I hope you find that napping helps you. I’ll look out for your update on the experiment next month 🙂
Thanks so much for coming by my site, and leaving a comment!! I’m hopeful the energy boosters article will be of help to you.