While having cancer and attending to appointments, scans and treatments can be time consuming, it’s important to keep busy beyond your diagnosis. I always tell myself ‘you have cancer, you are not cancer itself’. I have also often been asked how I keep busy. As such, I thought I’d document the ways in which I have been keeping occupied these past few months.

Reading

I have always been a massive fan of good book & would gradually read books between working and studying. However, since my cancer journey began I have been reading more than ever and trying out different genres along with it. I’ve read some geo-politics, fiction, romance, fiction etc. to total 13 books completed this year. It’s been a good way to stay connected to the world around me.

A few recommendations:

Pottery

I have done pottery since May of 2022 but fortunately I now have time to take on more intricate projects by taking pieces home and working on them over a few weeks. It’s been a great way to use some creative energy and inevitably, the things I make are gifts for others which has been super rewarding as well.

Here are some of my pieces:

Baking

Listen, I’m no Nigella Lawson in the kitchen but I do have the occasional bash at baking. It keeps me busy + it results in having something nice to eat. Check these cupcakes I made for my momma’s birthday. They don’t look like much but they were delicious.

Blogging

A no brainer here but starting and maintaining this blog as been a great way to pass some time and share some of my experience.

Getting Out & About

When there are good days, I am definitely pro-utilizing them. Enjoy the good days when they’re around. I’ve been sure to spend time with friends, family and loved ones when I can. I could definitely recommend the Barbie movie, the Prison Break Market & a trip to Cape Town to get out a bit!

Suduko

Keeping the brain busy is always important so I try to do at least one Suduko puzzle a day to challenge the mind.

Sports

Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely love Formula 1 so race weekends have been an absolute blast this year! On top of that, I have been sure to keep up to date with all recent tournaments. Watching the Women’s World Cup final was amazing and keeping up to date with the US Open & Wimbledon has been a great way to keep up to date with the media. There is no doubt I will be tuned in for all Springbok games for the Rugby World Cup as well.

Personal favourites include: Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Ben Shelton and Eben Etzebeth