Laurie's Journal

  Surviving the 2026 "Super Flu": A Personal Battle with Biology and Bipolar If you’ve been following the news lately, you know that the subclade K (or the "Super Flu," as the headlines love to call it) is no joke. I spent the last two weeks in the trenches with it. But for those of us living with Bipolar Disorder , the virus is only half the battle. When the high fevers and body aches of this 2026 mega strain hit, they didn't just attack my lungs—they sent my brain into a tailspin. This is the story of how I survived the "Super Flu" while navigating the crushing weight of a sudden bipolar depressive episode. The Collision: When the Virus Triggers the Void They don’t tell you that severe physical illness is a massive physiological stressor that can snap a stable mood like a dry twig. By day three of the flu, my fever was spiking at 102°F , and the inflammation was doing more than making my joints ache—it felt like it was shutting down my dopamine rece...

  The "Snowpocalypse" That Wasn't: A Survival Guide to Weather Anxiety We’ve all seen the news graphics. You know the ones—where the meteorologist looks like they’re reporting from the bridge of a starship, pointing at a giant, swirling purple blob of doom heading straight for your driveway. They call it the "Storm of the Century." They use words like Bombogenesis and Snowmageddon . Naturally, we do what any rational human does: we sprint to the grocery store to fight an elderly woman for the last loaf of sourdough and buy enough milk to bathe in. Then, the big day arrives. You wake up, ready to tunnel your way out the front door, only to find… a very bright, very cold, very dry sidewalk. Not a flake. Just the sun mocking your three-gallon hoard of 2% milk. Fact vs. Myth: The Weather Edition Is meteorology a science? Sure. But sometimes it feels more like a chaotic improv show where the points don't matter. The Prediction The Reality "30 Inches of Pow...

  Totally Tubular Times: A Rad Look Back at the 80s (from the futuristic year of 2026!) Can you believe it's 2026? We've got self-driving cars, virtual reality vacations, and a smartwatch that practically reads your mind. And yet, sometimes, I find myself yearning for a simpler era, a time of big hair, bigger shoulder pads, and even bigger dreams: the 1980s. Now, before you scoff and tell me I'm romanticizing a decade of neon and questionable fashion choices, hear me out. Yes, we may have been in an "on-again, off-again" recession (a concept that feels quaint compared to today's economic roller coasters), but darn it, we were happy! We found joy in the little things, and maybe, just maybe, our lack of constant digital stimulation contributed to that. Let's talk fashion first, because how can you not? We thought we were the epitome of cool, rocking acid-wash jeans that were so stiff they could stand up on their own, and t-shirts emblazoned with slogans that...

  When the Fever Brings the Fog: Navigating the Flu and Mental Health Getting sick is never just "getting sick" for me. While most people complain about the aches and the chills—which, don’t get me wrong, are miserable—my biggest fear when I see those two pink lines on a COVID test or feel that tell-tale scratch in my throat is the mental slide. I am incredibly susceptible to falling into a major depressive episode when my physical health dips. For the past few days, the flu hasn't just attacked my lungs; it’s gone straight for my dopamine levels. When you’re stuck in bed, the silence becomes loud. The lack of productivity feels like a moral failing, and the physical exhaustion starts to mimic the heavy, "leaden" feeling of clinical depression. It is a dangerous crossover. Here is how I managed to get through these last few days without letting the darkness take over completely. 1. Radical Acceptance (And Lowering the Bar) The moment I realized this was the flu,...

  The "Hump Day" Plot Twist: Reclaiming Your Weekend Space For the 40-hour-a-week warriors, Wednesday is usually the summit—the grueling climb to "Hump Day" where you finally see the downhill slope toward Friday. But what happens when the calendar flips, the routine breaks, and you find yourself standing at the edge of a wide-open weekend that would have been a workday? Suddenly, the "grind" is gone, and you’re left with the big question: Now what? The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing When the structure of the work week falls away, the instinct is often to panic. We feel the urge to fill the void with chores, errands, or "productive" hobbies. Don't freak out. We have acres of time ahead of us. The secret to winning the weekend isn't doing more—it’s using that time wisely by doing significantly less. My Guide to Slowing Down Since my brain has a tendency to sprint miles into the future—worrying about next Monday or planning for next year—...

What you are about to read IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. Please do not replace solid therapy and well laid out treatment plans. These are only (deep dive researched) suggestions from another person who has suffered and understands what you are going through. Finding the right diagnosis can feel like finally receiving a map after wandering in the woods for years. For me, getting the words Bipolar I , severe anxiety , and severe OCD on paper wasn't a burden—it was a relief. It meant I could finally build a toolkit that actually worked for my specific brain. But then comes "Old Man Winter." For those of us navigating complex mental health landscapes, the shorter days and freezing temperatures aren't just an inconvenience; they are a genuine hurdle for stability. If you’re like me and trying to keep your head above water this season, here is how I’m shaking the winter blues while honoring my diagnoses. With OCD and anxiety, sensory overload can trigger a spiral. In the winter, ...

  The Monday Shuffle: Finding the Silver Lining in a Part-Time Schedule Ugh, it’s  Monday . The alarm goes off, the cozy weekend blankets are pushed aside, and it’s time to head back to the grind. We all know that specific "Monday morning" feeling, but my routine looks a little different than the standard 9-to-5, five-day-a-week hustle. Because of my disability, I work a part-time schedule—usually just  two or three days a week . The Trade-Off Living with a disability often means navigating a world that wasn't necessarily built for your pacing. While "working less" might sound like a dream to some, it’s often a necessity for managing energy, health, and accessibility. But if I’m being honest? It comes with a pretty incredible perk:  the 4-day weekend. Why the 4-Day Weekend is a Game Changer When you have a disability, "rest" isn't just about watching Netflix (though there's plenty of that). It’s about: Physical Recovery:  Giving my body the act...

 Honestly, there is something about the combination of a quiet atmosphere, rhythmic speech, and forced stillness that acts like a pressure cooker for the imagination. You aren't alone—some of the best ideas happen when our brains are told to sit still and listen to something else! If you feel a bit guilty about it, look at it this way: inspiration is a gift, and you’re just making sure it doesn't go to waste. To help you keep those sparks flying without feeling like you're being "disrespectful," here are a few ways to lean into the process: The "Stealth" Strategy The Bulletin Method: Use the margins of the church program. To anyone watching, you’re just taking diligent notes on the sermon. The Analog Feel: Carry a small, leather-bound pocket notebook. It looks more like a prayer journal or a spiritual diary than a "plot hole solver." Phone Etiquette: If you use your phone, turn the brightness all the way down and use a dark-mode notes app. I...

  It’s Finally Time to Step Into the Light For a long time, I’ve been content working behind the scenes, keeping my best ideas tucked away like a well-kept secret. I stayed in the shadows because it felt safe there. But safety doesn't lead to growth, and it certainly doesn't lead to  sparkling. Yesterday, January 2nd, I had a transformative conversation with my Senior Editor. We talked about the future, my voice, and the impact I want to have on my readers. He gave me the nudge I finally needed: it’s time to stop hiding. Shifting from Shadow to Sparkle There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you decide to own your space. To "sparkle" isn’t just about being seen; it’s about bringing your full, authentic energy to everything you do. For me, that means opening the doors to a project I’ve kept under wraps for far too long. Breaking the Silence My website has been live, yet "hidden," for months. It was a digital ghost town because I wasn't ready t...

  Chasing the Spark: Big News and 2 AM Inspiration They say the early bird gets the worm, but in the world of writing, the "early bird" usually gets a double espresso and a fresh set of ideas. I have some incredible news to share: My latest article was officially  accepted by my Senior Editor and Publisher!  There is no feeling quite like getting that stamp of approval from the top. It’s a validation of the hard work, the research, and the voice I’ve been trying to cultivate. But the news gets even better. More Than Just a "Yes" During our meeting, I decided to pitch a few "sidebar" ideas—topics I’ve been ruminating on that felt like natural successors to this piece. To my delight, the Publisher loved all of them! What happens next?  The ideas are now headed to his  Staff Editor  for her final approval. Having the backing of the Senior Editor is a massive head start, and I’m feeling incredibly optimistic about building a long-term road map for my work this...

  The Year of the Tilted Halo: Finding Grace in the Mess As I sat down today, January 1, 2026, to reflect on the dawn of a new year, I couldn't help but laugh at the version of myself from just a few days ago. I had spent the final weeks of 2025 on a relentless mission. I was determined that before the ball dropped, every baseboard would be scrubbed, every junk drawer organized, and every speck of dust banished. My logic was spiritual: God pours His blessings into new wine skins. I convinced myself that if my physical environment wasn’t pristine, I wasn’t "ready" for what He had in store. I was channeling my inner Martha, convinced that perfection was the prerequisite for favor. But as it turns out, God has a beautiful sense of humor—and a much better perspective on "cleanliness" than I do. When "Life" Meets the To-Do List The more I demanded perfection from myself, the more Life decided to throw a monkey wrench into my plans. For every room I sanitiz...