How to Use The Book

The following is an “How to Use” excerpt from the book
Lupus Diary: Track Your Life with Lupus–Body, Mind, and Spirit

pp. 9-10

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How To Use

Based on the framework of my book, Live a Beautiful Life with Lupus: Habits and Rituals for Thriving with an Autoimmune Disease, the purpose of this Lupus Diary is to help you keep track of how you’re feeling in a quick, easy-to-enter format that will be practical and helpful to you as you manage your life with Lupus.

Understanding that the idea of a diary, while important, isn’t always realistic or easy when living with a chronic illness, the Lupus Diary is meant to make the most of your time and energy:

The Lupus Diary is designed to be filled out daily, if possible. If not, complete it as often as you can. It’s best to complete it at the end of the day, when you can remember and reflect on your day.
The Lupus Diary is organized by the three dimensions of your being—body, mind, and spirit—to help you clearly distinguish what’s happening with each part of your life.
In the “Body” section, write about your physical symptoms, vague or specific, as best you can, discussing if they are better or worse than the day before, unchanged, or new. Check off the habits and rituals of the Live a Beautiful Life with Lupus framework (see page 11) that you practiced to soothe your body.
In the “Mind” section, follow the prompts to express any cognitive symptoms, emotions, behavioral issues, or feelings that are affecting you that day—whether they are positive or negative. Check off the habits and rituals of the Live a Beautiful Life with Lupus framework (see page 11) that you practiced to strengthen your mind.
The “Spirit” section is where you record your pursuits at gaining inner peace and meaning beyond your physical and emotional symptoms. Follow the prompts, and check off the habits and rituals of the Live a Beautiful Life with Lupus framework (see page 11) that you practiced to nurture your spirit.
The “Meals” section is where you track what you’re eating and how foods are affecting you. This is also where you record your daily intake of water.
In the “Notes and Reminders” section, write any thoughts about the day that you want to remember to discuss with your doctor during your next appointment.
The “Gratitude” section is where you write about at least one thing you’re thankful for that day.
The “More” section gives you additional room to write freestyle—expressing additional thoughts, expanding on details from previous sections, capturing the aha moments of the day, or simply reflecting on, or venting about, whatever you want or need to say.
For quick reference to your Lupus Diary entry pages by date, use the Table of Dates, found on page 13. After completing your diary entry, simply enter the date in the space provided next to its page number.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at olivia@lupusdiary.com or by using the Contact form at https://www.lupusdiary.com/contact/.

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