What do you do to increase the joy and happiness you feel each day? I have always thought it is more helpful to ask myself that question instead of thinking about "stress reduction" or "stress management". Put the focus on increasing the positive instead of decreasing the negative. Doesn't that make it feel easier to accomplish? And like something you want to do? --- This week I've been in a bad flare triggered by the insane final push I had to do for my 2nd cookbook. I crashed *hard* after mailing the manuscript back with my final edits, and spent most of the week horizontal with massive brain fog, migraines (some with auras that took up my whole field of vision), and deep fatigue. But the way I chose to find joy and happiness in the moments where I could was photographing my cats with my new gear. I upgraded from APS-C to full frame mirrorless with the Sony a7iii and the 90mm f/2.8 macro lens. And snapping these shots made my heart sing. Made me smile and laugh. Helped me find contentment despite dealing with unpleasant physical symptoms. And that's what matters - remembering to do things every day that bring you pleasure. It's life-changing when you're dealing with a difficult health situation, I promise. --- So tell me - what are those things for you? I also found joy this week playing the Switch remake of Link's Awakening 🎮, a perfect activity curled up in bed with at least one cat nurse attending 😸 --- #macrocateye #stressmanagement #stressreduction #findthejoy #createhappiness #chronicillness #autoimmunedisease #authorlife #sonya7iii #macrocat (at Memphis, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3kJ6nuA0Q0/?igshid=sg7zisjvgkxl
