Carrie Ann Inaba is an Emmy Nominated host, producer, choreographer, writer and wellness advocate. She is most recognized from her work on ABC's megahit Dancing with the Stars, and for her previous work as moderator of CBS's The Talk. She was diagnosed with Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's syndrome in 2013 and has since become an advocate for those living with autoimmune illnesses and for those seeking wellness, leading the the way for wellness warriors everywhere.
For as long as I can remember I’ve lived with animals and been responsible for their wellbeing. When I was a child, my chores would always include making the coffee and feeding our cats and dogs. I can still remember sitting on my roof most nights, listening to palm trees sway and the tides change in the quiet company of our two cats Snowflake and Tiger. My love for animals, and my understanding that one of my purposes on this world is to make sure they are cared for as best as I’m able, has only deepened in adulthood. It’s such a blessing to me when I have the opportunity to give a rescue pet a chance at a better life, whether it’s through fostering or adopting them myself or just providing resources to place them in a loving home.
There’s a special place in my heart for cats with special needs, maybe because I’ve had so many chronic health issues and understand exactly what it means for someone to take care of you even when it’s hard. I currently have three dogs and two cats, all rescue pets.
Here are the current members of my rescue family, who have returned the love I’ve shown them in quantities I can’t even measure.
Peanut
Peanut is my 15 year old chug, or chihuahua pug mix. She’s the undeniable leader of the pack, keeping everyone in line and out of trouble. She fell right into my lap, literally. Access Hollywood asked me to help promote a few adoptable rescue pets, including Peanut. I agreed, and Peanut sat in my lap and shook like a leaf as we filmed. A week later Access Hollywood called to tell me the other two dogs from the segment had been adopted but Peanut was still available. When they asked me to make another post promoting her, I decided to bring her home instead.
When I found Peanut I already had my first rescue dog, a boxer named Cookie. Cookie had been treated poorly in her life and I had been struggling with finding the best way to help her feel loved and safe. As soon as she met Peanut, Cookie started to open up more and our new addition gave her the love and company that I so badly wanted for her life. These days Peanut has become the boss of everything she sees and after so many years I think she’s earned the right.
Lola + Buddy
I first saw a photo of Lola and Buddy in an email from Mary’s Little Lambs Animal Rescue. The message explained that these two had been found on the street together but were going to be split up and sent to separate foster homes. I looked at the way they were leaning on each other in the photo. They’d been through so much and only had each other; they were just two impossibly cute street rats looking for a chance. I felt certain that the two of them had to stay together no matter what, and a few days later Lola and Buddy became members of my family.
Lola has congenital neck problems, which is common for dachshunds. Because of this, she can have trouble with leashes and harnesses, and more often than not she takes her walks from the comfort of a stroller. This pair of rescue pets changed my life forever and fill my home with love.
Reb
Many nights before I go to bed I look through emails from pet rescue foundations looking for opportunities to help animals- sometimes I help cover medical costs or rehabilitation fees to get animals to the places where they have a chance at a full and happy life. Reb was a feral cat I was sponsoring; he was receiving medical care so that he could eventually be relocated to a farm. This is often a great way to take care of feral cats; they still get to have their freedom and a purpose but have access to food, water, and veterinary care. One day the vet called me to tell me that Reb hadn’t been eating and they were afraid they might lose him. I came to the vet’s office in pajamas and slippers and took him home with me. He had been wrapped in four blankets because he was swiping at anyone who tried to feed him.
After days of sitting with him in my office, I finally got him to eat some chicken baby food off of my finger. I had been going through a breakup and wasn’t looking for another rescue pet but it was clear Reb was here to stay. For a month straight I would spend time with him every day, just the two of us, gaining his trust and making him feel safe. Finally one day I let my cat Mimi into the room and he sprinted right to her and kissed her. Reb was home.
Sophie
One morning on a walk a couple of my friends found a little grey kitten in the engine of a car. When kittens get separated from their mothers they need a source of heat and many of them end up hunkering down in cars where the engine keeps them warm. My friends asked me to foster her and I agreed; at 5 animals already I definitely didn’t need another permanent addition. The second Reb locked eyes on her he pulled her to him with one of his paws and started cleaning her. I already knew Sophie would be staying with us. Reb and Sophie are still inseparable and can often be found cuddling in a sunbeam.
There’s something so pure about the bond between people and their rescue pets. They’re an infinite source of love, and I believe an animal knows when it’s been rescued. I’m grateful for every animal that passes through my life. The love they fill my house with is one of life’s greatest gifts.
Mimi
Many people got to fall in love with Mimi through my social media over the years; she was a much beloved member of my family, and we tragically lost her last September due to health complications. I met Mimi when I was helping out on a show for Heaven on Earth Society for Animals. Mimi was found on the street with a broken nose and ulcers on her face, a former house cat who had joined a feral colony. The team at Heaven on Earth told me that the stress of being in shelter environments, even in nice places, can be hard on animals with health problems. They thought that, because I have chronic illness as well, that we might be the perfect pair. She was right; Mimi was always a blessing and had a unique gift for lifting my spirits every day. Mimi was a very special cat; it was impossible not to fall in love with her. We called her Mimi Vader because her chronic sinusitis gave her a constant rattling snore. Mimi was one of the friendliest cats in the world, always ready to greet new friends with her peculiar purr. She changed the minds of so many people who are unsure about black cats and she’ll always have a place in my heart.
Pet Rescue Organizations I Work With
Adoptions and fosters are up in record numbers as people look for the comfort and love of an animal companion during this time of uncertainty and isolation. If you’re considering adoption or looking for ways to get involved I can recommend these organizations with my whole heart. You can search for adoptable animals and shelters in your area here.
Over the past year, we’ve faced so much change in so many different ways. Almost every month of last year transformed our daily life in a new way, and much of that transformation came in the form of adversity, sacrifice, and loss. Now we’re experiencing different change in the start of a new year and, with the presidential inauguration, a new chapter in our history as a country. No matter where on the spectrum you lie, big shifts like these are, more than anything, an opportunity for us to evaluate and observe our own responses and consider what purpose change can serve in our lives.
Heraclitus said, “There is nothing permanent except change.” We are always experiencing change; it flows around us like a river, constantly in motion. You can’t resist change any more than you could hope to hold back a river from running, and trying to do so will only create sorrow. If you learn to work with the river instead of struggling against it, allowing it to flow and learn from its movements, it might have something to teach you. Change, not stasis, is the natural order of life and finding harmony with it can grant so much peace.
This day may represent a big transition for our country, but it means little if each of us aren’t embracing change daily in our own lives. By nature many of us may fear or feel discomfort with big shifts; we tend to prefer the things that are familiar to us and the patterns we’ve grown accustomed to. What if instead of being suspicious or resentful of change we greeted it like an old friend? After all, change has always been with us and it’s brought us so much, from the leaves that fall every year to the healing of our own bodies when we experience sickness or injury. Inside of our bodies change is constantly happening as our cells replace and replenish themselves; what if we saw external change as the same opportunity to learn and grow? Can you think of anything in your life, whether it’s a relationship, a job, a home or just a better perspective on something, that you didn’t have 5 years ago? Focusing on these gifts that change has brought us can help us realize that change doesn’t just take away from us without bringing us good things too.
Every day, not just this day, is a new chance to learn something new, adapt, transform, find a new perspective. If we learn to embrace it rather than treat it as an enemy, change can be one of the greatest gifts that life offers us. Change can be scary and, yes, it can mean pain and loss and endings, but it is also responsible for all growth, new beginnings, and any hope for the future that we can have.
I hope that each of us can start to greet change not as something to be dreaded or bargained with but as the dawn of a new day with new possibilities.
One thing that’s harder to come by in the days of quarantine is a genuine brush with wildlife. Nature is such an important part of life, but while many of us stay at home we remain disconnected from a lot of the natural world and all the restoration and inspiration it can provide. Luckily, many wildlife preserves, aquariums and zoos have live cams that allow us to bring that experience to our own everyday. Whether you want to watch a zoo animal eat its lunch in your own home or just experience the sounds of nature while you work, a live wildlife or zoo cam can be a great way to inject a little excitement and stimulation into your daily routine. We may not be able to travel and visit many of these animals in person, but we can still appreciate and enjoy them.
Nothing inspires as much peace and majesty as the ocean, and the Aquarium of the Pacific gives you the perfect opportunity to benefit from that beauty. Watching fish swirl around this gigantic tank is the perfect way to unwind or take a break from your work-at-home responsibilities.
If you love to birdwatch but don’t have a good feeder setup at home, this live cam feed straight from Panama can help provide you with bright birds and nature sounds twenty-four hours a day.
I often find that the sound of waves crashing help me to unwind or focus. This live feed of some of the best waves in the world will be the perfect addition to your desktop if you feel the same way. The Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii is coveted for its surf-able waves, and now you’ll be able to watch the tide come in (and even spot the occasional surfer) no matter where you live.
If you love to see the beauty of a shark swirling around a tank, this eye-catching live cam from the Aquarium of the Pacific is sure to captivate you for hours.
There’s no animal quite as loveable or enchanting as a panda bear, and thanks to the Wolong Panda Center you can invite them into your home. The sight of pandas playing with toys and cuddling is sure to brighten any workday.
If your workday is feeling stagnant, why not take a break to go on your own virtual safari? This live cam gives you the opportunity to look in on an African watering hole and witness all the animals who wander through, from baboons to cheetahs to warthogs.
Tune in for the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s live narrated feedings at 11:30PST Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or any other time to experience the gentle swaying kelp forest and diverse fish species of one of the most impressive aquarium exhibits in the country.
The sound of lapping water combined with clear skies and mountain range in the background make this feed the perfect one to leave on for a moment of peace.
Use the Smithsonian Zoo’s live cam to check in on their cheetah cubs who regularly curl up in this den after playing outside. The zoo advises you to turn your sound up so you don’t miss their purrs!
This world is full of beauty and interesting experiences. Just because we’re not able to go out and see as many of them doesn’t mean we can’t still benefit from them virtually. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick trip to the cheetah exhibit or want to spend an hour watching an aquarium swirl around you, live cams can be the perfect way to remind yourself of all the experiences we can still have even while we stay safe at home.
As a Capricorn, I’ve always relished new beginnings and the opportunity to start fresh. Every new year, to me, is a gift to leave the past behind and place energy into hope for the future. This year, that hope might be a bit harder to conjure for many of us. Last year was full of difficulties, and the new year doesn’t change the fact that we are still living with a lot of uncertainty. But today, we’re here to focus on the new year and all the opportunities and possibilities that come with it.
On my Instagram Live this Monday, I found myself reflecting on a quote from Maya Angelou: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” That is certainly true of this year; none of us can stop the pandemic from happening or ensure that everyone we know and love remains safe. It can be so easy to feel overwhelmed by these big events that shape life around us; this state of mind can swallow us whole if we allow it. I’ve found in times like these that a shift in perspective is in order; like Maya Angelou said, we can decide not to be reduced. We can focus on the factors within our control, shift our gaze from the darkness and work to embrace light instead.
This year on my birthday, I was reminded that beautiful things can happen in the most unexpected places and ways. I felt nervous leading up to it, worried that this year would feel so different. Instead, between the celebrations from my friends at The Talk, a beautiful drive-through electric lights display and a gorgeous birthday cake to share with the people I love the most, I’ve never felt more held or loved. Just because many elements looked different than previous years didn’t mean there wasn’t plenty to treasure and enjoy. A simple shift in perspective, to embrace and lift up the things I was thankful to have instead of focusing on what I was missing, enabled me to feel so much joy, positivity and gratitude.
I know this coming year won’t always be easy; I’m sure we have challenges and obstacles to come that will vie for our attention and attempt to extinguish our joy. But I hope for every one of these obstacles, we are able to fix our focus on happiness and growth and use our energy to create changes that invigorate us. Whether it’s changing a corner of your home to make it your own or discovering a new fitness routine that you love or making a commitment to loving yourself as much as you love your partner, there is promise and potential in any change you strive to make.
Happy new year, and I hope that each of us can find the wonderful gift of the new.
We might not be able to have “events” the way we’ve had in the past; as we shelter in place and keep each other safe, it might feel like we don’t have very many excuses to get dressed up and celebrate. But there’s no reason we can’t still create special occasions, even if we’re celebrating on our own or with our partners or families. If you’re looking to celebrate on your own, why not use it as an excuse to make yourself feel glamorous? There are so many ways to feel confident in your own skin and it might be as simple as picking up an inexpensive but beautiful new dress. I’ve always had an affinity for finding fashion bargains; I love being able to fill my closet with dresses that I hunted down on the cheap. A new piece of nice clothing can be so refreshing and make all the difference when it comes to feeling confident, attractive, and excited about a milestone; if you’re looking to treat yourself, one of these cheap dresses might be the perfect addition to your wardrobe.
You can never have too many little black dresses in your wardrobe, and this cheap but elegant option is perfect for day-to-day wear or for making a special occasion.
For a mix between modern and old fashion, this cheaper lace dress provides texture and a gorgeous silhouette while still being easy on your holiday budget.
This striking one-shoulder look will make an impression on any occasion and will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe all year long.
No matter what your style is, picking up a new piece of fashion that makes you feel good about yourself doesn’t always have to cost a lot. One of these cheap but beautiful dress options might be the perfect way to make a day feel special this year even as we still wait to return to normal.
Each and every new year, we find ourselves pressured to remember the same few things; we’re told to reflect on the year behind us and set goals for the year ahead. Yet, it feels so easy to let the new year slip by, to make an arbitrary commitment to a resolution that won’t last to February (I’m no stranger to the abandoned resolution!). We’ve heard so much about resolutions each year that the words can start to sound hollow, meaningless, trivial. The concept of the New Year’s resolution might make us feel like we have to focus on our failures and resolve to be better people or stop a bad habit or lose an amount of weight. I think that this year, of all years, we could each benefit from giving our inner critic some time off.
2020 was a challenging year for all of us. Many of us probably saw early quarantine goals, like a workout routine or productivity level, fall by the wayside and might feel bad about it. I don’t think we need to. What if we ended 2020 feeling proud of what we did accomplish or the things we learned about ourselves or the strengths we discovered in the face of an unprecedented threat? You might not have gone running every day or finished a novel as you planned, but did you learn to be kinder to yourself? Did you resolve to check in with your loved ones more often? Did you keep yourself fed, even if the meals were sometimes microwaved or takeout? Did you survive, despite all the obstacles and hardships? Every one of these is a thing you should be deeply proud of. What if each of these lessons and successes were what we took with us into the new year to guide our paths instead of simply mapping out our failures and weak spots? What if we resolved never to forget the strength we showed this year, or vowed to remember the importance of the connections we sustained via Zoom and FaceTime and Skype? What if our resolution was to never stop being proud of ourselves for how well we’ve done, and to remember that anything we accomplish simply adds onto that foundation of growth?
Imagine what life could be like if we counted our victories, both big and small, every year, even when the pandemic finally subsides. If we healed from the trauma and grief but kept the strength and pride in what we had accomplished. This year I hope you can not simply resolve the things you want to change about yourself but also resolve to recognize the things about you that are already amazing and build on those as well. Most of all, I hope you have a very Happy New Year, and are able to rest for a few moments in the hope that always comes from a fresh start.
As someone who lives with with autoimmune disorders (lupus, fibromyalgia, APL, Sjogren’s Syndrome, RA and chronic pain from spinal stenosis), COVID-19 was an illness I hoped I’d never have to face. My conditions make me immunocompromised, meaning I was always at higher risk for serious complications if I contracted a respiratory virus like COVID-19. When I tested positive, I felt so many emotions: sadness, fear, confusion, and loneliness. Something that helped to calm each of these feelings was the advice and insights of others who had gone on this journey before me. Every time a friend or stranger who had already gone through COVID shared their symptoms, experiences and methods for coping, I felt more at peace and less alone. I wanted to do the same thing and share my experiences with COVID-19, not just to urge you to stay vigilant and keep your community safe by wearing a mask and washing your hands (although this is important!) but to help you know that, if you’re going through this, you’re not alone.
Carrie Ann’s COVID Timeline
This photo was taken the day before I tested positive for COVID. I had my regular work on The Talk and a photoshoot after; I started to feel a little off but tried to fight it and stay positive.
Marylin Lee Spiegel doing my make up at “The Talk”
Fortunately, nobody on my hair and makeup or styling team was infected even though they had exposure to me; their masks and shields and gloves worked to keep them safe. Remember that these safety measures can make a difference and can keep you and your loved ones safe!
Day 1 – 3
This photo is from just 24 hours later— COVID-19 hits fast, and it hits hard. Day 1 started with some strong fatigue that was more than my usual chronic fatigue. My eyes felt very heavy and I felt aches in my body, more than usual. In general I felt heavy and sluggish. On Day 2 I started to feel like I was catching a cold and a dry cough started— I’m used to having some dry cough from Sjogren’s but this felt different. It felt like something was heading into my chest, like bronchitis. I started to have a headache and general malaise. On Day 3 the fever came in at 102.00 and hovered between 100 – 102. The pain in my head was so intense I couldn’t move my eyes. There was no getting out of bed, there was coughing and congestion, pain and chills throughout my body. Everything hurt. I slept mostly on a heating pad, alternating between putting it on my chest and on my back. I couldn’t smell or taste anything.
Day 4-7
Nausea came along with the congestion and aches. I started to have diarrhea and stomach cramps along with the shooting pains from the fever. The fever stayed around 100 most of the day. I had no appetite. Still no taste and no smell. Headaches and sinus pressure and congestion continued. The dry cough persisted as well. I still felt weak and very tired, but the incredible pain behind my eyes and in my body from the fever had lessened.
Day 8-10
This is when the excruciating and stabbing pain started in my neck and shoulders. It moved to my head and my sinuses. But the worst of the pain was behind my shoulder blades. It was as if someone had a hot poker pressed into my shoulders all day and night. The pain was intense and relentless, so much so that it made me cry. That says a lot because I live with chronic pain and am used to coping with it— this ache in my shoulder blades still made me writhe in pain. It lasted for 2 days and then finally subsided. My fever dropped down to 98-99 (my normal temperature is 97.5- 97.7). I still had a sensitive stomach, but less nausea. I had a hard time keeping my food down; it would get stuck in my throat and then come back up. It was all so strange and I mostly just tried to keep my mind on positive things. My goal was for this virus to stay out of my lungs so throughout the duration, so I steamed every day and drank a lot of hot water. I remembered reading that COVID did not like heat so I tried to keep my body as warm as possible to discourage the virus. I continued to drink hot water and by Day 10 I started to taste and smell again.
Day 10 – 14
10 days out, I received my first negative COVID test. It was a relief to know that my body was cleared of the virus, even if I was still dealing with the aftermath. Congestion and the pain in my sinuses both continued. I still had a cough and my throat was starting to hurt from coughing so much. My temperature would spike up to 100 every once in a while and I felt like I had a cold. Day 10 I had good energy but by Day 11 I was back in bed.
Day 15 – 18
Finally, two weeks out from catching COVID, my energy started to come back. I could taste in the back of my mouth but not in the front of my mouth. Many things tasted sour. I could only smell eucalyptus or lavender if I put it right up in my nose. I still can’t smell a lot or taste everything, but it started improving. The pain in my sinuses and at the base of my skull is still so intense that I have to take Gralise and Hydrocodone to ease the pain. The sinus pressure is very intense. One day I felt like I had very high blood pressure, and my head felt like it was going to explode. Nothing eased that pain, not pain killers nor any massage or amount of water I drank. I was just grateful when it was gone the next morning.
Every day of this virus is something of an adventure. Different challenges pop up without any rhyme or reason so it’s hard to know what to do except to lay down and allow the virus to run its course. There is a lot of discomfort, and a lot of actual pain as well. There is congestion that feels like it will never end and when you can’t smell or taste, you feel isolated. It made me feel disconnected and depressed. I’m very sensitive to smell and am always using scents to change energy or clear energy, so not being able to smell has been emotionally difficult in a way I wouldn’t have expected. It takes an emotional toll.
Fighting back the fear that tries to roll over you when you hear the words “COVID” and “positive” in the same sentence is not easy. I had to truly focus only on healing and doing everything possible to keep this virus out of my lungs. I have scarring in my lungs from the years I have struggled with my autoimmune disease and with bouts of bronchitis so I was truly worried that I could end up in the hospital on a ventilator. But fear does no one any good, so I did everything I could to keep my mind in a positive state. Every day I watched comedies on TV. I watched Fleabag, Crashing, and Kim’s Convenience Store, along with a few episodes of my favorite, Schitt’s Creek.
I remembered a few things I had learned while my mom went through her journey with breast cancer and my father’s journey with esophageal cancer— that an important part of healing was your state of mind. I remember reading that it was helpful to watch comedies, and to laugh a lot. I tried to remember this in my own circumstances. I completely stayed away from the news. As I went through my own journey, COVID was really starting to ramp up in the world and everything in the news was about surging numbers and rising death tolls. Since the election news was dying down the news now fully focused on COVID and the surge. The images on the television were painful to watch: people suffering alone on ventilators, lying in halls, bodies overwhelming the morgues, hospital front line workers exhausted and frightened and frustrated. The vaccine was coming out right as I was heading into my worst days, and while that was good news there were also stories of people getting very sick from the second dose of the vaccine and that mixture of uncertainty with hope was so overwhelming.
I had to actively work to calm my mind with a strong discipline. I used my favorite meditation app, Insight Timer, and did guided meditations by Sarah Blondin, who is one of my go-tos. I also did guided meditations for fear and for sickness and pain. They helped me to pass the time in a way that allowed my spirit to stay as calm as possible. Another emotional challenge I had to face was the worry that I had caused others to get sick. That’s a part of this whole COVID experience that needs to be talked about. I could feel when I first got it that everyone wanted to blame someone, myself included. I wanted someone to blame. But then, at the same time, I felt terribly responsible for anyone who might have caught it from me. It’s a horrible feeling I will tell you, to know you might have caused someone else to feel ill and to feel the fear that this virus causes, not just for the person infected but for all those who love them or are in their family. What I realized quickly was that blame was not useful. That was a waste of what little energy I had at my disposal. I instead focused only on healing and doing everything I could to take care of myself and those I knew who had also caught it, and stay connected. The outpouring of love I received was powerful and it helped me to stay positive. I wrote in my diary and tried to share my journey openly in my Instagram stories to help anyone else who might be going though their own challenges. I kept in close contact with my mom. She was very supportive and helped me pass the time with research. I knew it was killing her that she couldn’t be here with me. But she found her strength after the initial shock and fear washed over her and she has been an amazing support system. I was also fortunate that my boyfriend and I caught it at the same time so we didn’t have to be alone while we were going through it. But I will say that this virus can cause incredible strain, even with the people you love the most. About halfway through this process, we were both feeling so lousy that we were fighting and didn’t want to spend time together. When I was feeling the pain in my back, I just couldn’t deal with anything, not even the man I love. COVID causes disconnection in so many ways, and that is what we need to fight. Even though we have to be isolated in so many ways from the people we love, we have to fight the disconnect because as humans we need connection to survive.
At the time of writing this, I have tested negative for the virus twice so it is out of my system. And for that I am grateful…truly, truly grateful. But it isn’t really out of my system. The lingering effects are still quite uncomfortable. I have sinus pain and pressure that forces me to lay down it’s so intense. It makes me want to claw at my face, to push it out of my sinuses. It’s intense. I’m sensitive to sounds and light, and the cough is persistent and I wonder if it will ever go away. I still don’t taste things quite right, and that has affected my appetite. I’m confused as to when I want to eat and what to eat, but I’m hungry. Food is not satisfying nor is it very comforting at this time. I’ve lost about 5 pounds which in some ways I am not complaining about since I had gained so much weight during the pandemic from my stress eating. Even on the other side of two negative tests, my life is still not quite normal again. Yesterday I was up and doing my taxes and going through receipts from the year, and today I had to lay in bed most of the day. My pain levels were at about an 8, exacerbated by my autoimmune conditions and fibromyalgia. My doctors have no answers. When I first found out I had COVID, I called my doctor. This is what he said to me: “If your fever is over 100 for three days, and your pulse goes up to 120 and your oxygenation goes below 93, go to the ER.” Other than that, he had nothing for me. He basically told me I was on my own. I called another doctor that I work with and he checked to see if I was a candidate for the antibodies infusion but I wasn’t. I was all alone with my COVID and my only option was just to wait and see where it went. The nurse that came to give me my tests was my lifeline. She gave me recipes that people had used that seemed to shorten the duration of the virus. She helped normalize the conversation about the symptoms. She was clear and very helpful. I’m forever grateful to her for her clear advice and her care. I felt strange when she would come near me knowing that I had COVID and she did not. I felt a strong sense of respect for her and her courage. It helped me to understand how much courage all the front line workers have had to muster every day in order to help people. I salute all the health care workers during this time. And I appreciate you all. Thank you for helping us in our time of need, for being brave for all of us and not giving up on us.
What I’ve learned during these last few weeks while going through this COVID journey is that love and connection very important. Taking care of each other and ourselves is so important at this time, and that has to include taking care of those who are in need. This is the bond of humanity that will help us all get through this terrible time. “Isolation” is the word of the year and we are all feeling it. COVID has made this year truly a difficult one for all of us. There is no way to sugarcoat how challenging this year has been, the toll it’s taken on our souls and spirits, how costly the isolation and fear have been. I wish I had a simple thought that could help us all deal with it. But I don’t. And I struggle each day right with you to just get through the heaviness. What I can say is this: Life is difficult. We are all struggling. And so, I think we should be kind to each other. Each of us is struggling with something different but know that we are all struggling through these times. We have all experienced loss in some way, whether it’s the loss of life, a loved one, a job, freedom, hope, or the sense of identity that comes from the society we had lived in for so long. That is all gone. Life is changed forever. It’s important to accept this. But it is my hope that we can find a stronger sense of compassion between us as human going through this time. Because we will find a way through this. And we will bear the heaviness because we are survivors. We are so much stronger than we thought. And we don’t need as much as we thought we did in order to be happy. Happiness is a choice. Peace is a choice. These are decisions that we can still make no matter what the news says. No matter what your bank account says. I keep trying to choose peace. I keep trying to choose hope. I sometimes fail. But I keep trying. That’s what we can do. We can keep trying, and we can continue to be kind to each other and lead our lives with compassion because we are all going through this. If you can, help to feed those who cannot put food on their tables at this time. This is something that I believe is important to do. We need to share what we have with those who need it, whether it is love, friendship, compassion, food, money, or shelter. Sharing is indeed caring, and that is what we need to do to get through this. Not only will it help the person in need, but it will lift your own spirits as well.
I’m sending you all hugs and so much love.
I hope that we will all make it through this time. I have hope that my health will return and that I will make a full recovery in time. I know I have to have patience. I thank you for your support and for your love during this time. I sincerely hope that you are all okay and that you can find peace every day even if just for a moment. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Writing this helped me to find my peace today and I’m grateful.
May God keep you safe and may you always know you are loved.
Here are some of the things I did to help me get through my COVID experience; if you’re going through something similar in your journey, I hope some of them can help you as well.
Tylenol for pain and fever
NyQuil to sleep and quell the cough at night
Steam with eucalyptus (even when I couldn’t smell) breathing in through the nostrils and through the mouth.
Heating pad on the back and on the chest as often as possible
Neti Pot with warm salt water twice a day
Onion, Garlic, Ginger root boiled in large pot of water, poured into a cup with lemon or lime and honey for taste ( Although you most likely won’t taste it)
Garlic and Ginger root tea mixed with honey.
Lemon and hot water
Hot baths with Epsom salts
Get up and stretch if possible at least once a day.
Afrin for sinus congestion
Oregano Oil
Vitamin C and D and B12
Bayer Aspirin
Rest as much as possible.
Drink lots of water.
Think positively.
Stay connected to friends and family.
No kisses for your pets— There are studies that show they can catch it.
Get some sunshine when you can to help lift your spirits.
Listen to good calming music
Watch funny or heartwarming films or series.
Read uplifting books.
To read more about Carrie Ann’s advice and experiences living with autoimmune conditions, click here.
If you celebrate, I would like to start by wishing you a very warm and merry Christmas. I know that for most of us, this holiday doesn’t look the same as it has in the past. Mixed in with the sentimentality and warmth might be loss, grief, the overwhelming absence of ones we wish we could be with. For many this month marks the end of a very long year, full of trials, difficulty, and altered expectations. There is no denying the sorrow and hardship this year may have held for you and I want to keep a space for these very valid feelings on a day that is usually such a joyful one.
I believe we can always recognize the gifts that life has for us, even if they’re not what we expected; the losses of this year throw into sharper relief that which we still possess. If you’re able to spend this holiday with a loved one, hold them tight. If you’re celebrating with your friends or family remotely instead of physically, what a blessing to still be able to have their faces and voices if not their embrace. If all you have this year are memories, surround yourself with them. Photos, stories, letters, recipes, inside jokes: these are all ways that the ones we love stay in our lives and in our hearts even if they feel far away at the current moment. Human connection is always a gift and those we love are truly more precious than anything that could be wrapped in a box.
The gift that Christmas holds for us is rarely receiving a new possession; it’s the spirit of gratitude itself. It’s a chance to recognize, as a thousand Christmas stories and movies have shown us, that gathering our loved ones to us is something we should never take for granted. I hope today you are able to hold someone you love, even if this is via a phone call from states away. I hope that today can hold warmth for you, even if it’s just a space you create for yourself to be grateful to be alive, to taste your favorite desert or sing your favorite song or look our your window at the sky and think about all thats still to come. The love you hold for yourself is as important as the love you hold for anyone else and I hope your help yourself to a bigger dose than ever on this day.
I want to end by telling you how thankful I am for you. If you feel lonely this year I hope you can count me among your community and know that you are held and loved and important this day and all days. What is community if not those we share our stories with and connect with even when life is hard? If you are here, with me, reading this right now, I want you to know how much gratitude I hold for you. I’m beyond grateful that you would spend a moment in this space with me, connecting with my words.
I want to wish you a very merry Christmas, a chance to be thankful for the connections you have or the strength you’ve gained or the enumerable ways you’ve grown in the past twelve months. I hope you find a special brightness today.
Finding gifts for your loved ones over the holidays can always be a bit stressful, but on a tight budget it can start to feel overwhelming. It’s easy to feel like you’re caught between your finances and the expectations of the people you care about the most. If anxiety starts to rise as you think about how to get your friends and family gifts that they’ll love, it’s so important to remember that a gift is just a representation of your relationship with someone else. The price tag will never matter as much as the amount of effort, thought, and love that are put into a gift, and many of the greatest gifts don’t have to cost a thing. Here are a few ideas for free gifts that will make the holidays shine for your loved ones.
Create A Free Gift from Things Around Your Home
A gift doesn’t have to come from a store to be valued and appreciated; here are a few meaningful gifts you can make out of things you already have.
Pass Along a Favorite Book. If there’s a book you think someone on your list would love, consider taking it off your shelf and inscribing it with a thoughtful message. The fact that you love it will only make your loved one appreciate it more.
Press A Flower for Them. If you’ve got a garden or live near an area with wildflowers, pick a few that are your loved one’s favorite kind or color and press them inside a heavy book— when it’s time to present them, you can glue them inside a card or scrapbook or even put them in an old frame as a piece of decor they’ll treasure forever.
Give Them a Cutting From One of Your Plants. If you love gardening and have a plant that’s easy to propagate like a pothos or a succulent, you can plant a cutting from one of them in an old mug with some soil. Giving your loved one a plant grown from something you have is a beautiful message and will always make them think of you when they look at it.
Give Them A Photo Gift. A photo can be great gift that can have a lot of meaning without costing much. Either print or regift a photo you already have and put it in an old frame—for added sentiment, you can write a personal note on the back of the photo for them to read and think of you.
Create an Affirmations Jar. If you have a free jar on hand, the perfect gift is only a few steps away. Create a bunch of paper scraps and write either an affirmation, a favorite memory, a word of encouragement or an inspiring quote on each one. Fold them all up and put them in the jar, and your loved one will receive the gift of a little burst of positivity whenever they need it the most.
Give the Gift of An Experience
A memory or adventure can be just as much fun as a physical gift; here are some ways to give someone an amazing experience as a gift.
Plan An Outing. An experience can be a great free gift that provides your loved one with a memory to cherish forever. Map out a tour of places in your town where the two of you have memories, or find a special or interesting place to take them that’s within driving distance. You can just even take them for a walk on a nearby trail or park and save any leaves, flowers or interesting rocks you find on the way as a keepsake.
Make Them Coupons For Services. If you’re trying to find a gift for someone who appreciates acts of service, the old homemade coupon route can be a great way to show them you care. Think about the things they’ve mentioned wanting or needing, whether it’s a night of complementary babysitting, a clean house or car, or a lesson in something you know how to do, and customize your free gift to these needs.
Give the Gift of Your Voice. If you live far away from your loved one, consider making a recording of yourself reading a section of a book you both love or recounting a story from your past. You never know how much someone might be missing your voice, and giving them a way to feel closer to you whenever they’re feeling lonely can be more meaningful than you realize.
Get Creative
Whether you’re artistically inclined or not, there are many ways to make the perfect gift without spending money at all.
Give the Gift of Art. If you’ve got a creative outlet, whether it’s drawing, writing, poetry, or any other kind of art, think about how you can channel it into creating a thoughtful free gift for a loved one. Draw a picture of their favorite animal or place, write a story about them or something they love, write a poem for them and frame it, write a song and perform it for them. You have so many options to use your skill in a way that will be so meaningful when received.
Make a Memory Book. Either print up or handwrite a bunch of your favorite memories of your loved one or list the things you love about them. You can even attach any photos you have. Your loved one is sure to appreciate the thought you put into writing down all your favorite stories and will love having the book to look back at.
Give Them a Glamorous Photoshoot. If you have a camera, or even a nice cameraphone, you can plan out a photoshoot for your loved one in a nice local park or garden. It’s always nice to feel beautiful and you’ll be giving them the chance to look their best and have the photos to keep forever. If they have a partner or child you can include them in the fun and give the gift of a free family photo session.
Make a Recipe Book. If you’re an accomplished cook, try writing down your favorite recipes in a book or stowing them in a box to give the free gift of some fresh and exciting meals. You can even recruit other mutual friends or family to add their own favorite recipes to the mix!
Create a Special Playlist. If you have iTunes or Spotify, curate a playlist for your loved one full of songs you think they’d like or ones that are important to your relationship. If you have a CD on hand you can even burn the playlist to the disk for a physical element. Even if you don’t have a go-to music service, you can create a playlist of songs on Youtube or even find free music from your local library. No matter how you put it together, music can be such a powerful way to communicate feelings and memories and your loved one will be sure to appreciate the gesture.
No matter what your budget is this holiday season, finding gifts to suit your loved ones can be simple if you have a little time and creativity. Some of the best gifts are ones that don’t cost anything at all; something on this list is sure to stay in your giftee’s heart for years to come.
It’s never easy to be alone during the holidays, and it can be especially tough if you’re older and facing issues like limited mobility or financial stresses. It’s so important to remember that you are valuable and you are loved, and there are so many ways to keep this at the top of your mind this holiday season.
Do Things for Your Own Joy
Spending a holiday alone can be difficult, but one thing that might help is remembering all the joy and love in your life. Take out old pictures of your favorite people and your favorite moments and make them present in your home. Play your favorite music around the house or light a candle that you love to make your space truly feel like you. Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do fun things; on the contrary, it’s all the more reason to decorate, play music, or make a tasty meal.
To me, rereading a book can feel like a vacation or a visit from an old friend; it’s one of the ways I like to pass alone time and it helps me feel connected both to the past and to my own imagination. If you have a quiet moment, try taking one of your favorite books off of the shelf and spend an afternoon enjoying the company of your favorite author.
If you’re feeling cooped up or limited in options, a driving service can even help you get out and about so you don’t need to depend on others to do chores or enjoy a local site.
Remember Your Favorite Holiday Traditions
If you’re alone, the holidays can lead many to think of the things (or loved ones) that are absent, but you can also focus on the aspects of the holiday that you’ve always loved, especially the things that emphasize your connections to others. Keep up your Christmas card list, bake your favorite recipe or even do a baking exchange with your loved ones, and make your house look the way you want, whether this involves decking it out or just displaying a few of your favorite decorations that have good memories attached to them.
Budget to Avoid Stress
If your finances have a tendency to get stressful this time of year, you’re not alone. The holidays leave many people feeling stressed about meeting expectations, especially if it feels like you have to figure everything out on your own. Making a list of people to get gifts for can get stressful fast, but remember that what your loved ones care about the most is the relationship you share, not what you can buy them. Make sure to budget ahead of time, and think of homemade gifts you can get for people that will mean more to them than something store bought.
Keep up With Loved Ones
Keeping up with new technology can be intimidating, but especially this year there are so many tools that can keep you connected with the people who matter the most. Zoom, Skype, and Facetime can all allow you to feel like you’re in the room with everyone who matters to you even when you can’t be together physically. There are free tutorials online for every video chat software, from Skype to Zoom, that can help you feel less alone during the holidays. Taking a few minutes to get to know these services, or having a loved one walk you through them, is a small investment that can help you stay in touch with your loved ones all holiday long.
Be sure to share things with your loved ones in whatever capacity works this year, whether it’s stories, your favorite recipes, old photos, or simply your time. Remember that you’re a valuable member of your family and your community with lots to offer.
Get Moving However You Can
Moving around is always a great way to feel happier and more upbeat, no matter what activity level you feel up to. Whether you do a home workout, a walk around the block, some simple stretching or just some mindful breathing, there’s a way for you to engage with your body and feel better on the inside. The holidays can be difficult and giving yourself a way to feel good, healthy and strong will help you to thrive.
Make Your Mental Wellness A Priority
Isolation during the holidays can take its toll, and it’s important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Caring Senior Service says that seniors are more likely to suffer from depression, but less likely to seek help for it. Make sure to lean on your loved ones and communities when you need it; they’re there for you. If you belong to a church, check to see if they provide counseling or one-on-one care; this can be a great resource and a service that really can give you the relief and support you deserve. Remember that you matter, you are loved, and that you’re never truly alone this holiday season.
No matter how your holidays look this year, there are so many ways to generate joy and cheer and have a good time even if you’re on your own for part or all of the season. Isolation is always a challenge, particularly for seniors, and if you’re struggling this year, you’re not alone. Whether it’s getting up to speed on a video chatting app, spending a few hours with your favorite memories, creating homemade gifts for your loved ones in other households or simply staying connected in your church or community, there are so many options to bring you support and happiness this holiday season.
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