If you’ve ever felt like you had to apologize for needing more rest, canceling plans, or just doing what’s best for you—this episode is for you.

As a lupus warrior, I’ve had to unlearn a whole lot of guilt. I used to feel bad for needing rest, for dreaming big, and even for protecting my peace. But I’ve reached a point in my journey where I just can’t keep shrinking myself to make others comfortable.

In today’s episode of Chronically Planned, I’m sharing the real-life things I stopped apologizing for—not because I have it all together, but because I finally realized I don’t have to explain my survival.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or deep in your healing journey, this episode is a reminder that:

You’re allowed to need rest.
You’re allowed to protect your peace.
You’re allowed to want more—even with chronic illness.

What I’m talking about today:
✨ Why rest is a life-giving rhythm, not laziness
✨ Saying “no” and meaning it—without guilt or explaining
✨ Letting go of the shame around flare days and changing plans
✨ Embracing joy as a part of healing, not something extra
✨ The moment I stopped shrinking my goals because of lupus
✨ Giving yourself permission to show up imperfect, unapologetic, and still worthy

Timestamps:
00:00 — Embracing Self-Care as a Lupus Warrior
06:41 — Prioritizing Joy and Dreaming Bigger

Takeaways:

• I stopped apologizing for needing rest.

• I no longer over-explain my boundaries.

• Choosing peace is a non-negotiable.

• Joy is not a distraction—it’s medicine.

• I’m done shrinking my vision to fit other people’s comfort.

• You can live with lupus and still build a life you love.

  
  

💌 Keep going, don’t do it alone:
→ Join the Chronically Planned Inner Circle (6-week coaching & support space)
→ Download the Plan With Your Body Starter Pack

→ Follow me on Instagram: @lupusspeaks
→ Get on my email list for weekly encouragement + planner love.

💜 Episode Summary

Hey sis. Today’s bonus episode is personal.

I’m sharing the truth about what it really felt like after I was diagnosed with lupus—and how I slowly started reclaiming my power, one choice at a time. I talk about what it’s like to live in survival mode, to wake up in pain, and still be expected to keep going like everything’s fine.

This episode isn’t just a reflection—it’s a reminder: You still have power, even when you don’t feel strong.

We’re breaking down why I had to stop copying hustle culture, how I started planning around my energy (not against it), and why redefining success for myself changed everything.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, tired, or unsure how to move forward with chronic illness—this is for you.

✨ What You'll Hear In This Episode:

• I didn’t feel powerful after my diagnosis—I felt defeated.

• I was surviving… but not really living.

• I realized I still had choices in how I responded.

• Suffering in silence almost broke me.

• I started planning with my body—not against it.

• I stopped trying to follow hustle routines that didn’t fit my season.

• Success looks different when you’re healing.

• Gratitude became my secret weapon.

• Your power never left—you just get to reclaim it.

• You get to choose how you show up from here.

📌 Quotes To Hold Onto:

• "I reclaimed my power after my lupus diagnosis."

• "Suffering in silence is a deadly killer."

• "I had to redefine what success meant for me."

🎧 Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Why I had to share this episode
05:55 – Building a life that fits you, not the algorithm
09:05 – The shift: Healing, grace, and planning on your own terms

📥 Helpful Links & Resources

🦋 Join the Chronically Planned Inner Circle
🦋 Book a 1:1 Planning Power Hour
🦋 Download digital journals & tools
🦋 Subscribe to the newsletter

💌 Stay Connected

✨ Instagram: @lupusspeaks
✨ Website: www.chronicallyplanned.com
✨ Email me anytime: [email protected]

In this episode, I’m joined by Gabby, lupus warrior and founder of The L Life, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women living with lupus. Gabby opens up about her diagnosis in 2012 during college, the mental and physical toll it took, and how her faith helped her shift from fear to purpose.

We talk about the realities of living with a chronic illness—like losing friendships, navigating mobility challenges, and learning to create new joy on your own terms. Gabby shares what it really means to build community from a place of pain and how she’s using her voice to advocate for women who often feel unseen.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, this conversation is a reminder that you're not alone. There is power in your story, and healing often starts in community.

💜 What We Talk About:

• Gabby’s lupus journey and diagnosis during college

• The mindset shift of faith over fear

• Navigating friendship and isolation with chronic illness

• The mission behind The L Life nonprofit

• Her L.A.F.E. initiative (Living And Fighting Every day)

• Embracing advocacy, empowerment, and purpose

• Encouragement for anyone feeling defeated or overwhelmed

  🧡 Key Takeaways:

• Community changes everything—Gabby created The L Life to remind others they don’t have to go through lupus alone.

• Faith over fear isn’t just a quote—it’s a survival tool.

• Lupus can change your life, but it doesn’t erase your purpose.

• You can lose relationships and still gain something deeper through advocacy, healing, and self-discovery.

“Keep going—the better day will come.”
“The race is not given to the swift.”
“I feel like I’m that turtle.”

📌 Resources + Connect With Gabby:

👉 Follow Gabby on Instagram: @the_llifeofficial
👉 Learn more about The L Life: https://thel-life.org
👉 Support the L.A.F.E. Initiative: https://thel-life.org/initiatives

✨ Want more support on your journey?

Join the Chronically Planned Inner Circle — a 6-week community experience where we plan with purpose, faith, and flexibility. Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, motherhood, or your next chapter… you don’t have to do it alone.
💻 Join Here

Need personalized support? Book a 1:1 Planning Power Hour with me and let’s create a system that works with your energy, goals, and season of life.
📅 Book Your Session

🎧 Listen Now on Your Favorite App:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music

🔗 Link in bio or visit chronicallyplanned.com

The Future of Lupus Treatment with Dr. Megan Clowse: What You Need to Know Now

In this special Lupus Awareness Month episode, I’m sitting down with Dr. Megan Clowse—one of the leading rheumatologists in the lupus space and a fierce advocate for women’s health.

We’re talking real talk about what it actually looks like to live with lupus, manage all the meds, advocate for yourself in the doctor’s office, and make informed decisions—especially around pregnancy.

Dr. Clowse breaks down the latest updates from the PHOENYCS GO trial (a major study on a new lupus treatment called dapirolizumab pegol), and why simplifying care is long overdue for lupus warriors.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, considering pregnancy, or just tired of feeling like no one gets it—this episode is packed with clarity, validation, and next steps you can take.

💜 What We Talk About:

• The biggest struggles lupus warriors face in the healthcare system

• Why medication overload is real—and what’s being done about it

• The latest lupus treatment study (and what it means for us)

• How to plan for pregnancy with lupus, not around it

• Why your voice matters in your care plan

Dr. Clowse is a Duke-based rheumatologist who’s cared for over 1,000 pregnancies in women with lupus. She founded the Duke Lupus Clinic, created LupusPregnancy.org, and currently leads research on improving lupus care—most recently through her work on the PHOENYCS GO trial with Biogen and UCB.

📲 Find Her Work:

• 💻 LupusPregnancy.org

• 📊 ReproRheum.Duke.edu

• 🏥 Duke Lupus Clinic

  
  

🎧 Tap in and let this episode remind you—you are not alone, and better care is possible.
💬 DM me your thoughts after listening or tag me @lupusspeaks or @planwithdrica to keep the conversation going.

Whew… this one’s close to my heart. In today’s bonus episode, I’m sharing the raw, behind-the-scenes truth of what it really looks like to live with lupus — especially the things most people don’t see.

This isn’t about complaining… it’s about naming the invisible.
The fatigue. The body changes. The mental load. The quiet moments when you feel like you're just trying to hold it together.

I opened up about what I personally wish more people understood — not just about the illness itself, but about the constant adjusting, the mental toll, and the strength it takes just to show up. If you’ve ever felt unseen in your journey, this episode is for you.

✨ Real-Life Reminders:

• Fatigue from lupus isn’t regular tired — it’s body-shutting-down tired.

• Just because someone looks okay, doesn’t mean they’re not battling silently.

• Life with lupus means constantly adjusting — physically, emotionally, spiritually.

• We need support that honors our full selves, not just our symptoms.

“Fatigue is not just about being tired.”
“Don’t give up. Keep the faith.”
“Life with lupus can still be beautiful.”💬 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going:

If this episode spoke to you, I want to invite you into the Chronically Planned Inner Circle — a 6-week space for women who are ready to plan their life around what really matters, not just their diagnosis. We meet weekly, share tools, and support each other in real time.
👉 Click here to join or learn more

Need a little more personal support? You can also book a 1:1 Planning Power Hour with me. We'll map out routines, content, or just make sense of the chaos — together.
📅 Book a session with me here🧡 Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next drop — new episodes are coming every Friday during Lupus Awareness Month.

Faith First Before the Checklist: A Bonus Episode for Lupus Awareness Month

In this special bonus episode for Lupus Awareness Month, I’m opening up about what it really means to put faith before the checklist.

As a lupus warrior, a mom, and a chronicpreneur, I’ve learned that I can't build a sustainable life by relying on hustle alone. In this episode, I walk you through the shift that happened when I started with prayer, reflection, and purpose before planning my week.

✨ What we talk about:

• Why hustle doesn’t work when you’re living with a chronic illness

• The mindset shift that started with my journal

• How “faith first” has become the foundation of the Chronically Planned Inner Circle

• An invitation to join our 6-week support circle before doors close May 25

📖 Grab your Faith-Based Prayer Journal and settle in with me for this moment of intention.

🎧 Listen now and let this be your reminder: you don’t have to earn rest—you’re already worthy.
💜 Join the Inner Circle before May 25th
📩 Stay connected: @lupusspeaks | @planwithdrica

Empowering Wellness in Chronic Illness w/ Holly Beck

In this empowering episode of Chronically Planned, I’m joined by Lupus warrior and health coach Holly Beck for a deeply honest conversation about living with chronic illness and reclaiming wellness from the inside out.

We talk about what it really means to care for yourself — beyond the bubble baths and checklists — and how to move from survival mode into a life that actually supports your healing. Holly shares her journey of living with lupus for over 20 years, the emotional challenges she faced after diagnosis, and how she found purpose through coaching, mindset shifts, and building community.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, this episode will remind you: you are allowed to choose joy, softness, and support.

✨ Keywords:
chronic illness, lupus, self-care, wellness, empowerment, mindset, healing, coaching, community support, health podcast

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to share this with a fellow warrior.

💜 Topics We Cover:

• Transitioning from survival mode to intentional wellness

• The emotional side of diagnosis + chronic fatigue

• The truth about self-care when you live with lupus

• How mindset and daily practices fuel healing

• Building a supportive community that gets it

• The story behind Holly’s Health Bridge podcast

  
  

🗣️ Favorite Quotes from Holly:

“We can’t heal if we’re alone.”
“My body is doing the best it can.”
“I get to work on my health every day.”

🌐 Connect with Holly:
Instagram: @iamhollybeck
The Health Bridge Podcast🌿 Ready to go deeper on your healing and planning journey?
If today’s conversation spoke to you and you’re craving a soft, supportive space to plan life around your chronic illness — not against it — I’d love to invite you into the Chronically Planned Inner Circle.
This is my 6-week guided experience built on faith, flexibility, and planning routines that actually work for your life.

Join Here

📝 And if you loved this episode...
Please take a moment to leave a quick rating or review!
It helps more chronic illness warriors find these conversations and feel seen, supported, and less alone.
I read every single one and it truly means the world to me.

Why Your Planner Isn’t Working (and How to Plan Differently with Chronic Illness)

Description:
Have you ever bought the planner, grabbed the cute stickers, wrote out the to-do list… and still felt stuck? Like no matter how hard you try, staying consistent feels impossible — especially when your body and your energy have a plan of their own?

Sis, it’s not you. It’s the system.

In this episode, I’m breaking down 7 reasons why your planner hasn’t been working for the life you actually live — and what to do differently, especially as a woman navigating chronic illness, motherhood, or any season where your capacity looks different.

✨ Ready to plan differently?
The Chronically Planned Inner Circle is officially open — a 6-week paid experience designed for women living with chronic illness who are ready to plan life with faith, flexibility, and purpose.
👉 Tap here to save your spot and join us: https://chronicallyplanned.com/shop/membership

💜 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• 🎧 Listen to the last episode: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/PlrjhdoqPSb

• 💡 Book a Power Hour Session (1:1 planning support): https://chronicallyplanned.com/shop/powerhoursession

• 📬 Get free planning tools + sign up for the newsletter: https://chronicallyplanned.com

• 📲 Follow on Instagram: @lupusspeaks

• 🎙 Leave a voice message or question (SpeakPipe): https://www.speakpipe.com/ChronicallyPlanned

  
  

✨ P.S. If today’s episode spoke to you, don’t forget to share it with a friend who needs to hear this. And if you’re loving the show, leave me a voice message or review — I’d love to hear from you!

The Method That’s Helping Me Plan My Life With Chronic Illness (Without Burnout)

In this episode, I’m opening up about something so many of us wrestle with — how to show up for both our motherhood journey and our personal dreams without losing ourselves in the process.

I’m sharing my Power Hour Method — a soft, flexible approach I created to help me reclaim my time, my energy, and my clarity, even on the hardest days. This isn’t about perfection or squeezing more onto your to-do list. It’s about giving yourself permission to show up gently, with grace, and to hold space for you.

✨ In This Episode:

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, I pray this conversation gives you a breath of fresh air and reminds you: your presence is more valuable than your perfection.

• The heart behind the Power Hour Method and why it works for chronic illness warriors and busy moms alike

• How to create simple, doable moments of progress without pressure

• Why we need to let go of “hustle culture” and lean into flexible, grace-filled planning

• An invitation to join my private Inner Circle community for deeper support, accountability, and connection

  💌 Links & Resources:

→ 🌿 Join the Chronically Planned Inner Circle (invite-only through the podcast!)
→ 🛒 Planning tools & digital products
→ 🎧 Listen on Spotify |Listen on Apple
→ 💜 Let’s connect on Instagram: @lupusspeaks

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Motherhood, Lupus & Marketing on Your Terms: A Real Conversation with Andria SingletaryIn this heartfelt episode of the Chronically Planned Podcast, I’m joined by Andria Singletary — a podcast visibility strategist, mompreneur, and fellow lupus warrior. Together, we talk honestly about what it takes to build a business with chronic illness, raise a family, and still find time to show up for your purpose — all without burning out.

Andria shares her lupus journey, how she balances business and motherhood, and the intentional shifts she’s made to prioritize peace, capacity, and aligned visibility. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in a season of rebuilding, or just tired of the pressure to “show up everywhere,” this conversation will remind you that your story and energy are more than enough.

In this episode we cover:

• How lupus has impacted Andria’s business journey

• What it means to find sustainable visibility

• The power of a supportive partner and community

• Why personal stories are key to authentic marketing

• Redefining success when your body forces you to slow down

• Letting go of the “do it all” mindset as a mom and entrepreneurKey Takeaways:

• You don’t have to follow every marketing trend to succeed.

• Visibility can happen off of social media.

• Your story builds trust — and that’s what creates aligned connections.

• Prioritizing your health isn’t a setback; it’s strategy.

• Balance is possible when you create systems that work for you, not against you.

🌐 Connect with Andria Singletary:

💼 Work with her or learn more: https://mamaturnedmompreneur.com
🎙️ Listen to her podcast: Mama Turned Mompreneur
📱 Follow her on Instagram: @mamaturnedmompreneur

She is truly one of the kindest voices in this space, and I know her story will bless you.

🎁 Free Resource from Shedrica:

Grab the Plan With Your Body Starter Pack — a flexible tool designed for women navigating life with chronic illness and fluctuating energy.
🖥️ Download it here → Starter Pack

🫶 Closing Thoughts:

You don’t have to prove your worth by overworking or showing up on every platform. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is honor your body, share your truth, and build a business that gives you peace. This conversation with Andria is a reminder that you get to do business on your terms — even with lupus.

If this episode blessed you, share it with a fellow warrior, leave a review, or send us a message on Instagram. We love hearing your takeaways!

With grace and planning,
Shedrica Shanté
Host of Chronically Planned Podcast
chronicallyplanned.com | @lupusspeaks