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Smiling Sonia: Thriving with a Chronic Illness

Smiling Sonia: Thriving with a Chronic Illness

By Smiling Sonia

Hi Smiling Sonia here.

This is an audio journal where I share how I've overcome challenges to move from just living to striving with a chronic illness.

In 2013 I was eventually diagnosed with Mollaret's Meningitis. I have overcome 6 recurrent episodes of viral meningitis so far in my lifetime.

I got fed up of worrying every time I went off sick and returned to work early before I was fully recovered.

That changed when I built an emergency fund. Now I have financial stability and the peace of mind that I have enough money to cover emergencies and future financial goals.

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173. Day 5 Treasure Chest Challenge

Smiling Sonia: Thriving with a Chronic IllnessApr 23, 2021

00:00
53:19
173. Day 5 Treasure Chest Challenge

173. Day 5 Treasure Chest Challenge

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 15/03/21.

Welcome to day one of the five day Treasure Chest challenge

The aim of the challenge is to help you build a 1 month emergency fund fast to support you through your next medical emergency.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com



Apr 23, 202153:19
172. Day 4 Treasure Chest Challenge

172. Day 4 Treasure Chest Challenge

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 14/03/21. 

Welcome to day four of the five day Treasure Chest challenge

The aim of the challenge is to help you build a 1 month emergency fund fast to support you through your next medical emergency.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com



Apr 22, 202133:11
171. Day 3 Treasure Chest Challenge

171. Day 3 Treasure Chest Challenge

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 12/03/21. 

Welcome to day three of the five day Treasure Chest challenge

The aim of the challenge is to help you build a 1 month emergency fund fast to support you through your next medical emergency.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com



Apr 21, 202136:58
170. Day 2 Treasure Chest Challenge

170. Day 2 Treasure Chest Challenge

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 11/03/21. 

Welcome to day two of the five day Treasure Chest challenge

The aim of the challenge is to help you build a 1 month emergency fund fast to support you through your next medical emergency.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com



Apr 20, 202126:40
169. Day 1 Treasure Chest Challenge

169. Day 1 Treasure Chest Challenge

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 07/03/21. 

Welcome to day one of the five day Treasure Chest challenge

The aim of the challenge is to help you build a 1 month emergency fund fast to support you through your next medical emergency.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 19, 202150:43
168. Nurturing a Wealthy Mindset

168. Nurturing a Wealthy Mindset

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 01/03/21. So the topic today is nurturing a wealthy mindset.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 16, 202126:31
167. My Jamaican Fried Dumpling Recipe

167. My Jamaican Fried Dumpling Recipe

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 28/02/21. I'm out on my walk in the woods as usual. I'm sharing my Jamaican fried dumpling recipe during my walk today.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 15, 202132:33
166. Focus and Distraction

166. Focus and Distraction

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 27/02/21. I'm out on my walk in the woods as usual. Today's topic is focus and distraction - I guess they are opposites.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 14, 202137:15
165. Protecting Yourself with Insurance

165. Protecting Yourself with Insurance

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 13/02/21. I haven't recorded in a while mainly because it's been snowing and I've not wanted to put myself at risk. I also wanted to spend some time just reviewing and monitoring myself because I've been so tired. I talk about insuring ourselves against sh** happening.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 09, 202127:53
164. Kindness

164. Kindness

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 05/02/21. Today I talk about kindness. I want to be seen as a kind person. I love it when people are kind to me. I must admit I do judge people on their level of kindness.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 08, 202140:42
163. LGBT+ History Month

163. LGBT+ History Month

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 04/02/21. So today I've had a lot of thoughts running around my head much like yesterday. So I'm talking about being Black, being Female and being a Lesbian and oh yes, having a chronic illness.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 07, 202123:20
162. Mentoring, Self Acceptance and Visibility

162. Mentoring, Self Acceptance and Visibility

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 03/02/21. It's a bit of mixed bag today but I had a number of things twirling in my head that I wanted to explore. Anyway let's see where it goes.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 06, 202132:10
161. Habits Are Crucial to Achieving Goals

161. Habits Are Crucial to Achieving Goals

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 02/02/21. One of the main things I've learned about goals is that habits are the foundation for achieving them. 

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 05, 202129:45
160. Thoughts About a New Role or New Career

160. Thoughts About a New Role or New Career

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 28/01/21. I've always been career minded and looking for new opportunities. However, when I was diagnosed with a chronic illness I became scared about changing my job in case I became unwell in my new role.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 02, 202139:34
159. When a Chronic Illness Results in Reduction in Income

159. When a Chronic Illness Results in Reduction in Income

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 26/01/21. It's been six months since my last meningitis attack. Today I recall what it was like when my family went from a two income family to a one income family.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Apr 01, 202131:17
158. How To Tweak Your Goals

158. How To Tweak Your Goals

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 25/01/21. Today I speak about how we can tweak our goals without actually changing the goal itself.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 31, 202127:38
157. Reviewing my Health Goal

157. Reviewing my Health Goal

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 21/01/21. Today I went down a different path and discovered a secret garden I'd not seen before. Today I'm reviewing my health goal.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.comWhilst out walking today I went down a different path and came across a secret garden.

Mar 30, 202131:04
156. Start decluttering early in Readiness for Moving House

156. Start decluttering early in Readiness for Moving House

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 20/01/21. With a house move in my near future I'm back to doing some more decluttering in the house.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 29, 202127:21
155. Finances and buying a house

155. Finances and buying a house

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 19/01/21. I'm out on my walk again this morning. My thoughts are on my finances because I want to be in a position to buy a house later this year. 

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 25, 202130:31
154. I Share my 90 Day Plan

154. I Share my 90 Day Plan

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 18/01/21. I've taken today off work. Each year on my birthday I like to set out a plan for the year starting with the first 90 days.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 24, 202141:28
153. Self Belief and Self Worth

153. Self Belief and Self Worth

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 16/01/21. I went out for my walk but due to the snow overnight and the paths being slippery I decided to return home. I'm recording today's episode in my living room. I've been suffering with headaches this week and I think this is because work is full on. 

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 23, 202136:18
152. Being in the Game
Mar 22, 202128:59
151. Being a Black Female Manager with a Chronic Illness

151. Being a Black Female Manager with a Chronic Illness

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 14/01/21. It is my birthday today. Exactly 58 years ago I was welcomed into this world. I'm so grateful that I have reached this stage in my life and I'm still excited about the future. Today I reflect on what it is like being a Black female manager with a chronic illness.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 21, 202131:13
150. Lookin at what's to come

150. Lookin at what's to come

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 13/01/21. I woke up with a headache this morning which is not surprising given the pressures and demands I have on me at the morning. Again didn't know whether I'd get out on my walk but I am out. Today I'm talk about my plan for the next few months. 

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 20, 202120:47
149. Just My Luck!

149. Just My Luck!

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 12/01/21. I woke up this morning with a number of different thoughts in my mind. The first was that I was too tired to go out for my walk so I asked Alexa to give me another 30 minutes. Anyway I got up and got out so here I am walking. Today I reflect on things that have happened in my life which at the time I felt that I was unlucky, hence the title "Just my luck!"

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 19, 202135:34
148. Having a Morning Routine

148. Having a Morning Routine

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 11/01/21. Today I'm talking about having a morning routine. Now I've probably talked about this before on more than one occasion. I'm not going to apologise because I know that a lot of the progress I've made in my life I can put down to having a morning routine.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 18, 202129:12
147. Am I Stress Eating Again?

147. Am I Stress Eating Again?

10/02/21

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 10/01/21. It is very cold out today so I've put on my Russian hat. I do look a sight but at least my ears are warm. So today I was considering whether I'm stress eating again. I've still got some what I would call Christmas food and I'm working my way through it. 

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 17, 202135:31
146. Feeling out of Control

146. Feeling out of Control

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 09/01/21. I had a bit of trouble getting my glove on today whilst holding my phone and attempting to record this. Today I talk about feeling out of control because there seems to be so many demands on myself. I guess this follows on from yesterday's subject about meeting other people's deadlines.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 16, 202115:35
145. Whose Deadline is it Anyway?

145. Whose Deadline is it Anyway?

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 06/01/21. 

The prompt for today's subject came from an incident yesterday. My laptop died no my in the middle of completing two reports that had a deadline for the end of that day. I realise that sometimes I prioritise other people's deadlines ahead of my own.

It's been over a month since I published the previous episode of this podcast. I could come up with some fantastic excuse but the reality is that I was procrastinating. I recorded the first part on my walk and intended to record the second part later indoors. It didn't happen. I kept putting it off. Today 14/03/21 I decided to record the second part and then start hitting the publish button again. So I had an unintentional break but I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Mar 15, 202133:05
144. Life With Structure and Routines
Feb 04, 202128:12
143. Being Accepting of Whatever The Year Brings
Feb 03, 202138:46
142. When is the Best Time to Set Goals
Feb 02, 202125:34
141. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Pleasing People
Feb 01, 202138:26
140. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Christmas Day Musings
Jan 29, 202114:51
139. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - The Importance of Memories

139. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - The Importance of Memories

Jan 28, 202130:00
138. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Why walking Has Become the Highlight of my Day
Jan 27, 202141:54
137. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Deciding Whether or not to Tell People about your Chronic Illness
Jan 26, 202142:40
136. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Have a Savings Goal
Jan 25, 202128:25
135. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Coping with Scars

135. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Coping with Scars

Today's episode of my viral meningitis recovery journal was recorded on 19/12/20. I'm out on my walk in the woods as usual. After the rain, the ground is very muddy and slippery. I talk about why some people find it hard to save. I know that in the past when I've thought about saving it has meant making sacrifices. That is giving up on something.

Join my Facebook community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingwithachronicillness. 

Please complete my survey here - https://smilingsonia.com/survey 

Book a free strategy session to find out how I can help you to build an emergency fund - https://smilingsonia.com

Jan 22, 202153:11
134. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Stop Worrying and Start Doing
Jan 21, 202136:02
133. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Dealing with Disappointment
Jan 20, 202136:07
132. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Understanding Needs and Wants
Jan 19, 202134:15
131. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Thinking Vs Doing
Jan 18, 202130:13
130. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - The Pressure to Buy Christmas Gifts
Jan 15, 202119:29
129. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - The Day After My Hernia Repair Operation
Jan 14, 202125:17
128. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Saving in Your 50s
Jan 13, 202134:21
127. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Does Saving Mean Making Sacrifices
Jan 04, 202159:26
126. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Pre assessment For My Upcoming Hernia Operation
Jan 03, 202140:08
125. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - How Young Do You Start Developing Money Habits
Jan 01, 202158:21
124. Viral Meningitis Recovery Journal - Having Developed the Saving Habit How do you Bring Yourself to Spend it
Dec 30, 202029:35