Why I Started This Blog: A Homebody with a Story to Share

I’ve been thinking about starting this blog for a long time—years, actually. Ever since I was first diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the mid-90s, I’ve had this quiet but persistent feeling: maybe I have something to share that could help someone else.

Back then, they called it “Yuppie Flu.” That dismissive nickname alone tells you how little people understood it. I was young—and had just started my freshman year at the University of Delaware. I came down with mono… and I never really got better.

The exhaustion clung to me like fog. Not just tired—bone-deep fatigue that didn’t lift with sleep. At the time, I thought maybe it was the typical college burnout: the bad cafeteria food, the late-night study sessions, the constant social and academic pressure. But no matter what I tried, my body never bounced back.

Eventually, I was given a name for what I was feeling: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (now ME/CFS). It gave me some validation, but not many answers. And definitely not a cure.

Over the years, I’ve had my share of ups and downs. For a long stretch, my health was stable-ish, and I was able to pour myself into a career I loved. I worked in fashion accessories and was lucky enough to travel the world for my job. During those years, my body mostly cooperated—and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

But chronic illness has a way of waiting in the wings. It flares. It evolves. It tests your resilience again and again.

Somewhere along the way, I found my soulmate. He saw me—not just the tired version of me, not just the “lazy” days where I couldn’t get out of bed—but the full version: the ambitious, creative woman who still had big dreams and a determination to live fully, even within limitations. His love helped me believe that I didn’t have to hide the parts of me that were struggling.

So why this blog? Because I know I’m not the only one trying to navigate a beautiful, messy life inside a body that doesn’t always cooperate.

Designed.To.Rest is my corner of the internet for sharing stories, tools, comforts, and reflections from a life shaped by chronic illness. I’ll talk about everything from treatments I’ve tried, to how I got through pregnancies with ME/CFS, to the ways I’ve designed my home (and my mindset) to support a life that prioritizes rest and healing.

This isn’t just about symptoms or supplements. It’s about creating a life that feels soft, supportive, and still sparkly in its own quiet way.

If you’ve ever felt invisible, overwhelmed, or just plain tired of being tired—you’re not alone. I’m so glad you’re here.