Living with chronic illness can feel like a never-ending cycle, described as the Groundhog Day effect. Time gets distorted, making every day blend into the next, but there are ways to break this monotony. Discover the concept of 'micro novelties'—small changes that can infuse joy and variety into daily life. The host shares personal stories, self-care tips, and a brain hack to regain momentum, proving that you can reclaim time and happiness, even from bed!
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question_answer ANECDOTE
IVIG Week Feels Like Groundhog Day
Alex describes recurring IVIG weeks where every day blends together with nausea, headaches, and body aches.
She explains how the repeated routine during treatment made her feel like life was on loop and hopeless.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Low-Spoon Self-Care Picks
Alex shares small self-care picks: at-home self-tanners, press-on nails, and paint-by-numbers.
She uses these low-spoon treats to boost mood and occupy hands during low-energy days.
insights INSIGHT
Routine Compresses Time Perception
Routine compresses our sense of time so identical days feel long but weeks vanish.
Chronic illness routines therefore make months blur and increase feelings of hopelessness.
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Welcome back to another week of Calling in Sick! The past two episodes were all about setting boundaries with ourselves so we can choose joy more often. And this week? Let’s just say I’m still paying off my Spoonie Jail invoice… and unfortunately, there’s no early release for good behavior. 😅
When flare days stretch into flare weeks (or months), it starts to feel like you’re living the same day over and over again. I call it the Chronic Illness Groundhog Day effect — and I know I’m not alone.
This week, I’m breaking down:
🧠 Why time gets weird when you're sick (yep, there's actual neuroscience behind it)
😵💫 The “oops-I-had-fun” crash cycle + how to set better boundaries with yourself
🌟 My go-to brain hack to feel momentum—even from bed (escape the loop!)
✨ A peek into my new “Come With Me” series for chronic-illness-friendly escapes
Whether you’re stuck on the couch or just tired of feeling stuck, this convo is your permission slip to reclaim time, joy, and a little sparkle!
Thanks for Calling in Sick with me again!
xx, Alex
💬 Comment: What’s one micro-novelty you’re trying this week? Join the challenge on social media!!!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!
00:06:30 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Typology Paris Self-Tanning Trio, True Botanicals Glow Drops, Olive & June Press-On Nails, Paint by Numbers)
00:10:48 The Groundhog Day Effect
00:16:55 Introducing micro-novelties
00:20:10 How I discovered go-to brain hack to feel momentum
00:25:35 One Brain Cell Show of The Week: Clarkson’s Farm
00:26:45 LOVE YOU GUYS!
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Alex’s Picks of the Week:
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