If you’re reading this while propped up by three pillows, clutching a lukewarm cup of herbal tea, and wondering how on earth you’re going to tackle a 14-item to-do list when your body feels like it’s made of lead and static, I see you. I am you.
Living with a chronic illness isn’t just about managing symptoms; it’s about navigating a world built for people with "infinite" batteries while you’re running on a portable charger that’s currently at 4%. For a long time, I thought "busy" and "chronic illness" were two worlds that couldn't coexist without me ending up in a flare-up that lasted three weeks. I thought I had to choose: my career or my health. My dreams or my dignity.
But then I realized something life-changing. I don’t have to be "normal" to be successful. I just have to be intentional. I had to learn how to stand even when it felt like I was down to my last few inches of strength. This is what we call the "Standing On Our Last Bones" philosophy at Chiedza Innovations. It’s the belief that we are deterred but never excluded. We still rise. We still win.
Here is exactly how I manage a high-octane work day without losing my soul (or my health), and how you can build your own blueprint for transformation too.
My "busy" day doesn't start with emails. If I start there, I’ve already lost the battle. My morning starts with an audit. Before I even swing my legs out of bed, I check in with the "CEO" of my life, my body.
Is today a high-pain day? Is the brain fog rolling in like a London mist? I don’t judge it anymore; I just observe it. I use my Becoming Light Guided Journal to ground myself. This isn’t just a diary; it’s my navigation system. I spend five minutes writing down how I feel and what one "win" would look like today. If I’m in a flare, the win might just be "sending three emails." If I’m feeling strong, it might be "recording a podcast episode."
Transformation happens when you stop fighting your reality and start working with it. Whether I'm sitting in my wheelchair or standing in a pair of heels for a keynote, the mission remains the same: gentle transformation. You can grab your own copy of the Becoming Light journal here to start your own morning audit.
I used to think pacing was for "slow" people. Now I know pacing is for smart people. On a busy work day, I don’t look at the clock; I look at my energy. I’ve adopted what I call "The Rhythm of the Last Bones."
I work in 45-minute sprints followed by 15-minute "Sacred Pauses." During those pauses, I am strictly off-limits. I don't "just check Instagram." I close my eyes. I breathe. I might use my Self-Care Spiral Journal to jot down a single word that describes my current state. This prevents the "crash and burn" cycle.
If you’re a chronic illness girlie, you know the "push through" mentality is a lie. When we push through, we pay for it with interest later. By building rest into the schedule, I’m not being lazy, I’m being sustainable.
There is a specific kind of magic in how we present ourselves to the world, even when we’re hurting. Some days, "managing" a work day means staying in my softest loungewear. But on the days when I have to show up, whether it's for a client meeting at Chiedza Co or a virtual workshop, I dress for the woman I am becoming.
This dress isn't just fabric; it's armor. It's a reminder that even when my bones are tired, my spirit is vibrant. You can be both: a person who needs a wheelchair and a person who commands a room. You can be someone who needs frequent naps and someone who runs a publishing empire. When you lead with your authentic identity, the world has no choice but to follow.
By 2:00 PM, the "afternoon slump" hits everyone, but for us, it hits like a freight train. This is where I use the Still Rising Guided Journal.
When I feel the overwhelm creeping in, that "I can't do this" feeling, I turn to the prompts in Still Rising. It’s designed specifically for women in the middle of the storm. I remind myself that I am "Standing On Our Last Bones." I look at my "must-do" list and I ruthlessly cut it. If it isn't life-or-death, and my body is screaming, it waits until tomorrow.
I’ve learned that being a "boss" isn't about how much you get done; it's about the grace you show yourself while doing it. Leading a busy life with a chronic illness requires a radical kind of self-honesty. I’ve had to learn that "no" is a complete sentence and a vital medical necessity.
My workspace is a sanctuary, not a cage. I’ve filled it with things that remind me of my "why." I have my Standing On Our Last Bones Hardcover Journal right next to my laptop.
Why? Because seeing that art: the representation of resilience: reminds me that my story matters. It reminds me that every word I write and every book we publish at Chiedza Innovations is a bridge for someone else.
If you’re working from home or an office, your environment needs to support your physical needs. For me, that means an ergonomic setup, plenty of water, and journals that act as emotional anchors.
When the laptop closes, the "work mode" doesn't just evaporate. I have to consciously transition. I use a ritual to signal to my nervous system that it’s time to heal.
I write down three things I’m proud of: not three things I did, but three things I was.
This shifts the narrative from "I’m a sick person trying to work" to "I am a powerful person who manages her life with wisdom."
You don't need to have it all figured out to start managing your days differently. You just need the right tools and the right mindset. You aren't "less than" because your path looks different. In fact, the resilience you develop by navigating a busy life with a chronic illness makes you one of the most capable people on the planet.
If you’re ready to stop surviving your work day and start rising through it, I invite you to explore our Journal Hub. Whether it’s the Still Rising journal or the Standing On Our Last Bones series, these aren't just notebooks: they are your partners in this journey.
We are standing on our last bones, my friend. And honestly? We’ve never looked more powerful.
Come over to chiedzaco.com and let’s start your transformation together. You’ve got the spirit; we’ve got the tools. Let's show the world what happens when a "chronic illness girl" decides she’s still rising.
