> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://achronicvoice.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # When Your Stress & Fatigue Thresholds Suck (Also on Cute Cockatiels, Education via Zoom & Art Films for Rent) - URL: https://achronicvoice.com/stress-fatigue-thresholds-suck/ - Published: 2020-08-08T11:26:15.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-09T13:51:29.000Z - Author: Sheryl Chan - Tags: Diary Entries, Mental Health, Chronic Illness, Pets, Personal Development, Creativity *\*Note: This article was originally written for my monthly linkups, which I've archived as it was taking too much out of me. However, I've kept most of the posts written as I realise it's much like a diary with memories that make me nostalgic or smile. I hope you enjoy reading them, too! 🙂* ## Escaping to Cafés to Work, with the Easing Up of the Lockdown In July the lockdown laws were slightly eased in Singapore. We can now gather in groups of up to five, although social distancing and mask wearing are still enforced. What this meant was that I could finally work at cafés again, which is one thing that lifts my mood and increases my productivity. Although, I kind of overdid it in July as I was out nearly every day, in a bid to escape the tension at home. It’s not that I don’t love my family, but we’ve been literally sitting within visible distance from each other for the past few months all day, working and whatnot. I needed a breather (lots of it), and I paid the price for it. I haven’t had pain flares this bad (though not the worst ever) in a while, but I don’t regret anything. It’s a trade off between physical strain working outside, or mental and emotional strain staying indoors, and I chose and choose the former (for now at least!). *\*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. *I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice.* Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding *any* new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our* [***Privacy Policy***](https://achronicvoice.com/privacy-policy/)*page for more information. Thank you!* Read Related Posts: - [Sometimes, Physical Pain Isn’t the Worst Part About Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/worst-part-about-chronic-illness/) - [Best & Worst Part About Being Stuck at Home (From 32 People with Chronic Illness & Disability)](https://achronicvoice.com/stuck-at-home-with-chronic-illness-disability/) - [29 Best Tips on How to Cope with Isolation at Home (from People Who Have Done and Will Do This All Their Lives)](https://achronicvoice.com/cope-with-isolation/) - [What's it Like to be a Caregiver for a Chronically Ill Loved One (The Challenges & Rewards)](https://achronicvoice.com/caregiver-chronically-ill-loved-one/) - [Is Seeking Help for Your Mental Health Worth It?](https://achronicvoice.com/mental-health-worth-it/) Chronic Illness Life Boards: ![When Your Stress and Fatigue Thresholds Suck (Also on Cute Cockatiels, Education via Zoom and Art Films for Rent)](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/stress-fatigue-threshold-pin-4.jpg) ## Extra Limitations This Month from Additional Pain August seems to be a little quieter on the work front, which is perfect as my body has reached a maximum stress level, which is something like half of a healthy person’s threshold or even less. That’s good enough in my book; I’ve long [**learned to accept my limitations**](https://achronicvoice.com/self-acceptance-chronic-illness/) when it comes to work stress, and how much I can achieve to that end. I also suffered a [pleurisy](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pleurisy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351863) in July (some inflammation and small blood clots around my chest bone area), which made it hard to breathe, walk and lie down to sleep. According to Mayo Clinic (2023): > "If you have pleurisy, these tissues swell and become inflamed. As a result, the two layers of the pleural membrane rub against each other like two pieces of sandpaper, producing pain when you inhale and exhale. The pleuritic pain lessens or stops when you hold your breath." It probably is a cause and effect in terms of the pain flares I experienced together with the work stress and commute. Although, the blood clots are probably a separate issue in itself from the [**Antiphospholipid Syndrome**](https://achronicvoice.com/antiphospholipid-syndrome-diagnosis-a-to-z-guide/). Who knows what I accidentally ate or which vegetables I miscalculated in my diet to clot my blood a little more than usual. Might have been that soy milk latte I had instead of regular milk. I thought it tasted diluted but who knows. Read Related Posts: - [The Annoying Thing About Living with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (My Personal Experiences)](https://achronicvoice.com/living-with-antiphospholipid-syndrome/) - [A Roundup of Biggest Pain Flare Triggers (from 40 People with Chronic Illness)](https://achronicvoice.com/pain-flare-triggers/) - [12 Visible Evidence of a Body Gone Rogue (Is Invisible Illness Truly Invisible?)](https://achronicvoice.com/visible-evidence-invisible-illness/) - [Why ‘Easy’ Part-Time Jobs are Not That Easy for Those with Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/part-time-jobs-not-easy-chronic-illness/) - [Chronic Stress, the Silent Assassin](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-stress-silent-assassin/) ## Self-Education for a Better Future & Better Health I also signed up for a Digital Marketing Strategist course a while back, which begins in August, so that’s good timing as well. I’m not one who multitasks well, so I’m glad that I can just focus mainly on the course itself in August. I was only interested in the SEO module, and maybe the analytics bit, but I can become a certified Digital Marketing Strategist if I complete all the modules. Since there are subsidies, that’s a perfect opportunity to learn things that will be extremely relevant to blogging, and my upcoming business plans related to it. So far the teacher has been great over Zoom, and I've learned some practical new things. Mornings aren't quite my forté in terms of brain fog, pain and comprehension levels, but I've managed to survive week one! ### Attending My First Ever Online Qigong Class I also attended my first ever Qigong class in support of an ex-client, but it turned out to be very interesting. As there were only two of us students on Zoom, we had plenty of time to chat and ask questions. It was fascinating as a lot of the terms are familiar from childhood kungfu films, except it's now used in real life. Whilst I can't afford the private class rates for now and there are no course series coming up, we might work something out in exchange for blog reviews. We'll see if that happens and where that goes! Read Related Posts: - [Useful Things to Do While on Bed Rest After Surgery: Education, Advocacy & Volunteering](https://achronicvoice.com/useful-things-to-do-while-on-bed-rest/) - [Fun & Productive Things to Do on Digital Devices After Knee Surgery](https://achronicvoice.com/things-to-do-on-digital-devices-after-knee-surgery/) - [What’s It Like Going Back to School as an Adult with Disability and Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/going-back-to-school-as-an-adult-disability-chronic-illness/) - [MediSearch Review: A Medical AI Search Engine for Patients, Clinicians & Medical Writers](https://achronicvoice.com/medisearch-review-medical-ai-search-engine/) - [The Power and Purpose of Blogging, and Why You Should Write](https://achronicvoice.com/purpose-of-blogging/) ## Watching The Baby Cockatiels Grow Into Their Own Personalities The baby cockatiels are growing up fast. I suppose they must in nature - make it fast or return to the food chain. I should really separate them from their parents so that they can become more independent and bond more intimately, but I’m a little lazy with the feeding duties. There have been a few enquiries, mainly from people who are looking for wives for their own cockatiels. All I pray for is that they go to kind, caring homes. As always, the white and yellow pearl coloured ones are more popular due to their uniqueness. But personality wise, the original ugly ducklings are the cutest hands down. I’m suspecting that Ardbeg (the white pearl) is female, due to her frosty attitude and gentle instincts (Stella mama has already laid a few more eggs and she's sitting on them, too!). Here's Ardbeg, the ice queen up high. The song playing in the background by chance is fitting and shall be her theme song - [‘Sitting in an Angry Chair’ by Alice in Chains](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpEXM1Yziws). *(\*Trigger warning: video has flashing lights.)* > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDOZDI6DKt7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Sheryl Chan (@achronicvoice)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDOZDI6DKt7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0nMJMjIFP/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Sheryl Chan (@achronicvoice)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0nMJMjIFP/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## Watching Art Films from "The Projector" I also found some [art films on The Projector](https://theprojector.sg/) (the ‘art cinema’ of Singapore), which we can rent for SGD12 online for 48 hours. We’ve watched a Chinese one directed by [Zhang Yimou](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GC7NL7w4EQ) featuring Gong Li called "To Live". It's about life during the communist era, which was poignant if slow. I wouldn’t say it was my favourite film ever, but I think it’s possible to like a film in a different way. I appreciated the insight I gained, a bit of history in visual form where I can actually see how the communal kitchens and people were like back then. Then I watched [a French film, 'Fanny's Journey'](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzIfsWb6zDI), the following weekend. It's based on a real-life story of how some Jewish children in France travel to safety in Switzerland on their own, and the troubles they encountered along the way. I found the young children really cute, and the film was light if the background behind it heavy. Once again, I appreciated the insight I gained from watching the environments, dressings, landscapes and more. This is impossible to imagine and invoke whilst studying history back in school, especially from a climate or culture we've never seen or experienced. I think films like these should be incorporated into the education system as they do help to pique interest and help students to form connections and make sense of what they’re actually studying. (The same goes for how math is useful, where I struggled to comprehend the 'why' and 'how' behind it as a student.) ## The Healing Journey is an Ongoing One I hope that August will be a restful month for me, where I return to being a student and blogger. I will try to launch that business site soon, and am reading some books to help me understand my target audience better, as it’s a little undefined at the moment. Life as a freelancer suits me well, but the unstable income can be a worry. I would say even more so when you’re chronically ill, because freelance jobs often come in a flow. Yet with chronic illness you need to dam that river on your own accord every few months or so, before trying to kickstart your business again. But once again, as I’ve already uttered a few times in this post, that’s okay. It is what it is. I can only do what I can, and flow in a different sort of way. Not a rushing mainstream river, but more of a lazy swirl down a mystical one. Often I’ll run into muddy bogs and move at a crawl, sometimes it’ll be like whitewater rafting, and sometimes it will seem magical around me. I’m sure in for a ride, aren’t I? 😉 ### Paying More Attention to My Diet Finally, I would like to pay more attention to my diet in August, as it certainly isn’t the most optimal. Whilst I’ve been drinking earl grey and peppermint tea with honey, honey is still sugar. I’ll also need to cut back on the snacking. I’m not saying I’ll be focussing 100% effort into transforming my life into a healthy one, because I find that miserable. I need to live and enjoy the ‘bad stuff’, too. But every bit counts towards healing and my wellbeing. So eating, moving and sleeping just that wee bit more will be helpful, too. Santé! Read [**last month's entry**](https://achronicvoice.com/july-maximise-wellbeing-stress/) or [**next month's entry**](https://achronicvoice.com/triggers-trigger-triggers-re-stabilisation/)to continue. ## Sign Up for My Free Newsletter Be the first to get the latest post updates in your inbox, and unlock the comments section. You will also receive an e-book full of uplifting messages, quotes and illustrations as a token of appreciation! [Browse more membership plans here](#/portal/), or [make a one-off donation](https://ghost.achronicvoice.com/#/portal/support) instead. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Read Related Posts: - [July’s Supply & Demand: Learning to Maximise Wellbeing in the Midst of Stress](https://achronicvoice.com/july-maximise-wellbeing-stress/) - [Oral Spray Vitamins: A Quick & Easy Way to Get Your Nutrients with Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/oral-spray-vitamins/) - [My Recovery Time for Simultaneous Bilateral Patellar Tendon Rupture (With Lupus & Steroid Treatment)](https://achronicvoice.com/recovery-time-for-simultaneous-bilateral-patellar-tendon-rupture/) - [The Eternal Spoonie Struggle: Justifying Rest & Recovery Time](https://achronicvoice.com/spoonie-justifying-rest-recovery-time/) - [A Perfect Capture of Life with Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/capture-life-with-chronic-illness/) Chronic Illness Life Boards: ![Spoonie Life: Living Life at Half the Energy Bar](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/spoonie-life-pin.jpg) ### Comments Archives: Comments imported from previous WordPress site. - [ Rhiann ](https://www.brainlesionandme.com) Aug 29, 2020 Hello again for another month Sheryl, and thank you once again for the thought-provoking and inspiring prompts! I hope you are doing as well as can be and are recovering from pleurisy. Your cockatiels are certainly adorable and sound very entertaining, I am sure they are helping to put a smile on your face and are a wonderful distraction from the pain and other difficulties you continually face. - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Sep 4, 2020 Thank you Rhiann! It’s all better now but other issues are popping up. You know how it goes from a flare recovery…except it’s taking longer than the month I expected! I clearly forgot what ‘full time’ work is like :p Yes they do…in fact I just fed this new batch and kissed them goodnight. It’s amazing how they grow from a little egg! - Cynthia Aug 23, 2020 Your baby cockatiels are adorable!!! My fatigue level has hit an all-new level leaving me to also let accept that I can’t currently follow the schedule I have been keeping thus far. It’s frustrating, but fighting it just makes it worse. I hope this month has been a time of physical rest. Hugs! - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Sep 12, 2020 Thanks Cynthia! They really make me smile 🙂 I understand about the fatigue as mine is also at an all time low, though slowly improving through doing absolutely nothing and sleeping like a log! I hope yours heals up soon! xxx - [ Catherine Green ](https://spookymrsgreen.com) Aug 19, 2020 Hi Sheryl, I hope you are resting and recovering well alongside your studies. I have had pleurisy in the past and it was really painful. I thought that was what I had in June when I attended the hospital emergency department but instead they found a nodule on my lung! I find that my reiki practice and meditation help ease chest pain, lots of gentle deep breathing and relaxation. [https://spookymrsgreen.com/2020/08/17/how-to-unlock-your-potential-and-stop-unhealthy-behaviours/ ](https://spookymrsgreen.com/2020/08/17/how-to-unlock-your-potential-and-stop-unhealthy-behaviours/) - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Aug 20, 2020 Hi Catherine, I’m glad that you found something that works for your chest pain! I get it a lot from a combo of poor posture, blood clots, inflammation, and my lung is partially dead from a previous pulmonary embolism which took months to recover from. Sending love and thanks for joining us in this month’s linkup once again! - Katie Clark Aug 13, 2020 I’m glad your taking some time for yourself. I, too, am a student and I love to learn, so I hope that is a rejuvenating time for you rather than more stress and draining. I appreciate how you have already shared your workflow and tips for Twitter and Pintrest. I look forward to learning more from you, but only after you are rested and recharged. Your FB Groups: Chronic Bloggers and Chronic Bloggers Social Pods are so helpful in learning more about blogging. I’ve learned from you and the people you have gathered there! - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Aug 16, 2020 Aww…you’re really such a sweetheart, Katie. I really love that you’re constantly self-educating despite your age (not to say you’re old but you know what I mean!!). Education really is important. I am trying my best to ‘force’ myself to rest haha…difficult for me to sit still. Not in the sense of meeting people, but doing stuff. But I really do need to just be still and quiet and peaceful for now 🙂 - [ Shruti Chopra ](https://allthingsendometriosis.com) Aug 11, 2020 Hi Sheryl… I really hope the pleurisy has healed and your breathing isn’t painful. I’m so excited to hear that you’re working on your new business! Good luck with that. Also the course sounds exciting – it’s really nice to get some focussed time on one thing. Sometimes we’re doing too many things inconsistently and not really getting anything substantial done. Wishing you a beautiful August 🙂 - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Aug 16, 2020 Hi Shruti, it’s better now thank you so much 🙂 Haha it’s been tiring for me even though it’s just 4 hours a day for 4 days at a go…I guess mornings aren’t the best for me! 😉 Thank you and wishing you one, too! x - Nikki Albert Aug 11, 2020 I’ve been studying too… to see if I can with the way my health has been. And maybe I will be able to functionally use it… that is the Main goal but we shall see what the future holds. Sometimes limits do not let us, but sometimes they can be nudged a wee bit - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Aug 16, 2020 That’s the biggest study of all time, isn’t it? 🙂 I hope you find answers to your symptoms and pain and discomfort, and get solutions to them soon. Sending love. - [ Claire ](https://throughthefibrofog.com) Aug 10, 2020 So agree that being a freelancer is stressful and unpredictable. I hope the new biz site gives you a little more stability – sounds so exciting. And the cockatiels are so cute! They must make you smile so much 🙂 - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Aug 16, 2020 Haha my biz site is sitting there…revamping forever :p I think you know how that goes…. though my Digital Marketing instructors are giving me a hand direction wise, free of charge, so that’s real nice of them! So I’ll try and get it out soon…again haha! **Start a new conversation in the Member Comments below!**