Hello Readers! Welcome to my Fall 2025 walking challenge for a Great cause! If you have been following The Ladybug, you may know that I love to spend time in nature and walk for exercise. Recently, this aspect of my life has become difficult due to illness. However, I am determined to be resilient! I have been re-building my endurance slowly but steadily with joyful movement. The upcoming fall weather is my favorite time of year to enjoy nature, and every little walk outside is progress.
Today, I joined the Faith Warriors Team to participate in the Out of the Darkness Central Massachusetts Walk to benefit The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). This organization is a cause dear to my heart, as I have struggled with mental illness personally. There were times in my life when I contemplated giving up, and I am so grateful that I am still alive! Through the assistance of family, friends, and professionals, I lead a beautiful life today! The AFSP offers support to those who struggle with suicidal ideation, as well as their families and the families of loved ones lost to suicide. In my case, I have also found my faith in God to be a healing and strong influence on my mental well-being.
I have used my blog, The Ladybug, to occasionally address more personal matters such as illness and recovery, and I hope that I may continue to inspire others to reflect on the positives and blessings in life. I know that times are hard, which is even more of a reason to join and celebrate the little joys of everyday life. If you feel so called, please follow the link below to my walk participation page and sponsor me. All proceeds benefit the AFSP. Let us see the beauty despite the darkness.
Walking is such a wonderful activity, and full of many different benefits! I do not take my ability to partake in this gift lightly! And walking truly is a gift, as it allows one to exercise in a gentle way. If you have read The Ladybug this year, you may already know that I feel especially connected to the Spirit of God while in nature and moving my body. I also like to partake in charity walks to raise money for worthy organizations that do good in our imperfect world. In addition, walking with a friend, family member, or group, is a blessed way to be in community and form connections. I could go on and on about the benefits of walking, but I want to get a little more personal with my readers today about my 2025 walking journey.
Walking is, in general, a little more difficult for me than for the “average” person. I have been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardic Syndrome) and hEDS (hypermobile sub-type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). Both illnesses affect an individual’s ability to exercise. However, I persist with a routine of walking and yoga as a way of maintaining healthy and joyful movement in my life. The year 2025 began with a blast, with my body being strong enough to complete the American Cancer Society 31-Mile Challenge in January. I walked 42 miles in the month of January, while raising money to fight cancer.
As the year continued, I began to feel a bit like I was struggling with my health. I completed less mileage in the months of February and March. Half-way through March 2025, I became ill with a bad bronchitis and lay in bed feeling sorry for myself. In April 2025, I woke up on Easter Sunday extremely ill with a tick-borne illness like Malaria. If you want more details on that experience in my life, see my former Ladybug post I’m Back! Let’s Talk Honestly About Anxiety and Faith. By the end of May 2025, I was barely walking down to the mailbox.
Facing a huge deficit in my physical stamina for walking and getting outdoors for exercise has been hard on my mental health as well. As the month of June began, I was determined I would regain my strength. Gently, I began with restorative yoga practices. Then, walking 0.50 miles up and down the sidewalk near my apartment building. When I was visiting my parents’ home, I walked short distances with the family dog. I carefully stayed under a mile at first until I felt strong enough to barely reach that distance.
It seemed that my fitness was on an up-swing, but the universe had other plans! In early July, I was admitted to the hospital on a med/surge floor for testing and the procedures set me back yet again. When one has POTS and hEDS, it is harder to recover from “normal” testing which other individuals may bounce back from. I left the hospital on shaky legs, walking with a cane. I do not want to complain too much at this point, because let me be clear that walking is a privilege. Even with the set-back, I knew I was still blessed. So, the journey now starts again to gain momentum and stamina.
I would like to choose a charity walk in the Fall 2025 to plan to complete. It will be beneficial to have a goal to train for as I navigate the difficulties this year has thrown at me, and may continue to provide. Please comment your suggestions!! I live in New England, but virtual walks are welcome, too! Last October 2024, I completed a 10K distance virtual walk for The Jimmy Fund. I would like to choose a walk with a good cause. My walking journeys are never all about me. I like to use my body, in whatever shape she is in, to spread love to others. I hope that my passion for sticking to it and not giving up will inspire you as well. Think of a cause you love and find a walk/run/hike/roll that you can accomplish!!
In Progress, G.
PS The photo below is of me walking the family dog today. I completed 1.03 miles!
Today, I would like to share a relaxing post about my favorite way to de-stress. Whenever I am upset, sad, anxious, or just overwhelmed, I go for a walk. Specifically, I try to connect with nature. Yes, I am a tree-hugger. I feel that the natural world is the best therapist. When I walk in the woods, I feel God with me more than at any other time. The silence of the forest, and the occasional interruption of bird song, puts me in a Zen state of mind. I consider myself blessed to live in New England, where I can experience four unique seasons, and the beautiful weather that goes along with each one. We are certainly living in troubling times in our country and world, and so my daily walks are becoming more precious to me. I decided that the best use of my blog in this post would be to spread some joy with a little nature photography exhibit. Below are ten nature photos that I simply took with my smartphone during my winter walks this year. Please relax and enjoy! If you feel so inspired, go outside for a little dose of nature yourself! Blessings, G.
Hello and welcome to 2025!! I am starting this year with a lifestyle post about my love of charity walks. As a person who struggles with more than one chronic illness, I find it invigorating and important to exercise by walking on a regular basis. I can think of no better way to apply my love of walking than by raising funds for worthy organizations. I first began participating in charity walks when I was quite young, around 10 years of age. Over the years, the mileage that I can achieve has changed based on my health, but my determination to make a positive difference in the lives of others has not wavered. In 2024, I participated in four charity walks. I completed two 5K distances, one 2-mile distance, and one 10K distance, all of which I trained for carefully. The walks supported the organizations: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Open Sky Community Services, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and The Jimmy Fund.
Fast-Forward to 2025, and I am taking on a new walking challenge! I have registered for the American Cancer Society 31-miles in January Challenge, committing to walk at least 1 mile per day. This cause is very close to my heart, as two of my grandparents struggled with cancer, and one of my close friends is currently fighting. Unfortunately, cancer seems to affect the lives of everyone, whether you know someone or battle with it yourself. The fundraiser is on Facebook, and I include the link here:
In addition, this challenge also comes at a tough time for me physically, as I have been in a flare of my chronic illness. Walking daily is currently more difficult than usual. However, I am determined to overcome my own health struggles, and aid others as well. Comment below any ways that you use movement to make a difference. What does it mean to you?
The Ladybug 