Things That Have Helped Me — And Might Help You Too
This is my little corner of things that have helped me, made life easier, taught me something, or simply made me think, “Okay, someone else needs to know about this.”
You’ll find a mix of resources, tools, books, apps, products, organizations, and recommendations I’ve personally found helpful or think may be worth exploring. Some will connect to chronic illness, mental health, neurodivergence, self-advocacy, organization, and everyday life. Others might just be something that made a hard day a little easier.
This library will keep growing as I find new things worth sharing. Take what helps, skip what doesn’t, and hopefully find something here that makes things a little easier for you too.
Browse the Resource Library
Chronic Illness + Everyday Life
Things I’ve found helpful for getting through the everyday stuff when your body isn’t exactly cooperating—comfort items, practical tools, little life-savers, and anything else that has made difficult days a little easier.
Mental Health + Emotional Wellness
Resources, tools, books, and other things I’ve found helpful for understanding emotions, taking care of my mental health, getting through overwhelming moments, and remembering that asking for support is part of taking care of yourself too.
Neurodivergence + Making Life Work for You
Tools, apps, routines, organization ideas, sensory-friendly finds, and other things that can make everyday life a little easier when your brain doesn’t always cooperate with the way the world expects things to work.
Books + Things Worth Reading
Books, guides, articles, newsletters, and other reads that have taught me something, made me feel understood, changed the way I looked at something, or were simply worth passing along.
Apps + Digital Tools
Apps, websites, trackers, planning tools, and other digital finds that have helped me stay organized, learn something, simplify a task, or make everyday life a little more manageable.
Everyday Favorites + Helpful Finds
Everyday products, comfort finds, organization helpers, little conveniences, and random things I’ve discovered that made me wonder why I didn’t know about them sooner. If it made life easier and I think it’s worth sharing, it can probably end up here.
Need Support Right Now?
Need More Support Right Now?
Some things need more support than a book, app, product, or personal recommendation can provide. If you’re looking for professional help, immediate support, or trusted organizations that specialize in what you’re going through, I’ve included resources below that may help you find the right place to start.
Trusted Support + Helpful Organizations
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential support for people experiencing emotional distress, a mental health crisis, or suicidal thoughts. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Crisis Text Line
Free, confidential text-based support for people dealing with anxiety, depression, emotional distress, or a crisis. In the U.S., text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Free, confidential support for anyone experiencing relationship abuse or concerned about someone they care about. Trained advocates are available to provide support, information, safety-planning assistance, and connections to local resources.
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental health information, education, support, and resources for individuals and families. NAMI also has local organizations across the U.S. that offer programs, support groups, and ways to connect with help in your community.
Invisible Disabilities Association
Information, education, and resources focused on invisible disabilities and the challenges people can face when their conditions aren’t obvious to others. Their work also helps raise awareness and encourage greater understanding of life with invisible disabilities.
U.S. Pain Foundation
Education, support, advocacy, and resources for people living with chronic pain and the people who care about them. Their programs cover topics like pain management, emotional wellness, self-advocacy, and navigating everyday life with chronic pain.
Florida Support + Resources
Because Radiant Rise is based in Florida, I also wanted to include resources a little closer to home. These organizations and services can help Florida residents find support, information, local programs, and connections to services available in their own communities.
Florida Organizations + Local Support
211 Florida
A free, confidential service that connects Florida residents with local community resources and support. You can use 211 to find help with needs such as food, housing, healthcare, mental health, utilities, transportation, and other services available in your area.
Florida Disability Rights
Florida’s designated protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities. They provide information, advocacy, and legal assistance related to disability rights, accessibility, discrimination, accommodations, and access to services.
NAMI Florida
Statewide mental health education, support, and advocacy for individuals and families across Florida. NAMI Florida can also help you connect with local affiliates, support groups, educational programs, and resources in your community.
Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence
Statewide information and resources for people affected by domestic violence in Florida, including connections to certified local domestic violence centers, advocacy, safety resources, and support services.
Florida Department of Children and Families
A statewide resource for Florida residents looking for information about public assistance and support programs, including food assistance, Medicaid, temporary cash assistance, and other family and community services.
Florida Community Health Centers
Community health centers provide primary care and other health services throughout Florida, including care for people who may be uninsured or underinsured. Use this resource to find a community health center serving your area.
My Personal Picks
Things I Actually Use + Recommend
These are the things that have earned a spot in my real life—not because someone told me they were amazing, but because I’ve actually used them, tried them, read them, or found them helpful myself. Some make hard days easier, some help me stay organized, and some are just really good finds I think are worth sharing.
My Tried + True Favorites
My Kindle
My Kindle is one of those things that is almost always nearby. I love being able to carry a whole library without actually carrying a whole library—especially when I want something easy to reach for during downtime, appointments, travel, or the days when I just need to disappear into a book for a little while.
My Planner + Notebook System
My brain does much better when things are somewhere I can actually see them. I use planners, notebooks, checklists, and written-out steps to keep track of appointments, ideas, work, home life, content, and all the random things my brain is convinced I’ll “definitely remember later.” Spoiler: I will not. 😂 Writing things down helps me get them out of my head and gives me somewhere to come back to when I lose track of what I was doing.
My Mini Rechargeable Fan
This little fan goes everywhere with me. It’s small enough to toss in my bag, rechargeable, and one of those things I didn’t realize I’d use so often until I had one. Whether I’m overheated, sitting somewhere stuffy, waiting at an appointment, or just need some air immediately, I’m very happy it’s there.
My Portable Charger
I carry a portable charger because apparently owning two phones and multiple devices means something is always threatening to die at the worst possible time. 😂 Having backup power in my bag means I’m not hunting for an outlet when I’m at work, running errands, sitting at an appointment, or away from home longer than expected.
My Emergency "Just in Case" Kit
I keep a little “just in case” pouch in my bag with the random things I’m always glad to have when I need them—Band-Aids, allergy essentials, Liquid I.V., Q-tips, Neosporin, dental picks, hair ties, and other small everyday necessities. It saves me from having to hunt something down when I’m already out, uncomfortable, or just trying to get through the day.
My "Everything" Bag
I’m definitely not a tiny-purse person. 😂 I like having one roomy bag that can hold my everyday essentials—my Kindle, notebook, chargers, portable fan, emergency pouch, snacks, and all the other things I somehow convince myself I might need before I get home. Having everything together also means fewer things for me to remember individually when I’m heading out the door.
A Quick Note About My Recommendations
Everything I share here is based on my own experience, what I’ve personally found helpful, or something I genuinely think is worth knowing about. What works for me may not work for everyone, so use these recommendations as a starting point and decide what makes sense for you.
Some links may eventually be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. If a link is an affiliate link or a recommendation is sponsored, I’ll clearly tell you.
Health-related information and recommendations on this page are shared for general information and personal experience only and are not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.