Can you believe this is the seventh edition of The ChILLness Chronicles? Man, do I feel lucky. Lucky to have this space, lucky to share with you, and lucky to have a community that shows up time and again.

August always feels a little brighter because it’s a time to celebrate Black-owned businesses, and we wouldn’t be here without you. Every time you shop, share, or simply cheer us on, you’re helping Poppy + Monarch continue to create pieces that bring confidence, comfort, and a little bit of joy to the chronically ill community.

Your support helps keep this small business afloat, but it’s also affirming a vision, a mission, and a community. We are deeply grateful for every order, every comment, and every story you share with us.

To show my appreciation, I’m offering 25% off everything at poppyandmonarch.com through the end of August. Use code BLACKBIZMONTH at checkout and treat yourself to something that celebrates you while supporting a Black-owned business that loves serving this community.

Learning Your Body: It’s Time to Show Up for You

So, what does it mean to really learn your body? It means listening. It means asking questions without judgment: When do you need a break? What feels like growth versus strain? How do you honor your days of high energy while honoring your days that demand softness?

Returning to yourself might mean slowing down your pace, rewriting the syllabus, and showing up with grace when the lessons feel overwhelming. It’s recognizing that some days, just showing up is your greatest achievement.

Practical Ways to Learn Your Body This Season:

• Keep a simple daily journal noting your energy levels, moods, and symptoms. Patterns reveal where you need to adjust.

• Schedule mini check-ins with yourself. Ask, “What do I need right now?” before pushing forward.

• Set one small boundary this week that protects your energy, whether it’s saying no to a social invite or resting mid-day.

• Name one thing you survived today … even if it was just making it through a tough appointment or a hard moment. Recognizing endurance builds trust in yourself.

This season, let’s commit to being our own best advocates and teachers. Growth happens when we meet ourselves with courage and compassion.

What’s one new thing you’re learning about your body or yourself this season? Drop it below or respond via email. I’d love to celebrate your growth with you!

Meet Francisca Freeman

@MansaSpirits 
https://www.MansaSpirits.com
Long Beach, CA

Give us the highlights — who you are, what you’re into, and how does your disability fit into your story?

Francisca Freeman here — a healthcare executive by day and driven entrepreneur, living at the intersection of chronic illness, creative hustle, and cultural impact. I am a 41-year-old with sickle cell anemia, and while that means managing hospital visits and navigating unpredictable pain episodes, it’s also taught me to lead with resilience, empathy, and fierce intentionality.

My chronic illness shaped my professional journey — from a demanding 20-year healthcare career to dabbling in real estate to launching MansaSpirits, a brand that imports premium palm spirits from Ghana. I’m passionate about creating platforms that uplift marginalized voices, whether it’s brokering deals for African-made products or mentoring emerging professionals navigating life with disability.

Wellness for me isn’t only about massages, mani and pedis. It’s about boundaries, bold rest, and building a great support system, that supports real healing. I prioritize joy, time with loved ones, religion, fellowship, traveling, and saying no without guilt. I’ve learned to honor my energy, advocate fiercely, and still dream big.

Living with sickle cell doesn’t disqualify me from success. It refines how I define it. I’m not just chronically ill; I’m chronically chill, strategic, and unstoppable.

How does your disability manifest? What are your main symptoms?

I have something called sickle cell disease. It means that some of the red blood cells in my body — the ones that are supposed to be round and smooth like donuts — turn into hard, sticky shapes kind of like bananas or crescent moons.

When this happens, those cells can get stuck together in my blood vessels, like a big traffic jam on the 405 freeway, with cars facing all the wrong directions. And when that happens, it causes a lot of pain. That pain is called a sickle cell crisis.

A crisis can start if I don’t drink enough water, if I get too cold or too hot, or if I’m really stressed or tired. When it happens, it feels like my body is sending out a bunch of “ouch” signals … sometimes in my arms, legs, chest, or back. It can be so painful that I have to go to the hospital to feel better.

Even though I live with this disease every day, I’ve learned how to take care of myself and still do amazing things. I just have to plan and rest a little more than most people.

What’s your wellness mantra?

“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.”

What’s a small victory you’ve celebrated recently, and how did it make you feel?

I got to plan an amazing baby shower for my sister. She had a great time. Everyone had a great time and, most importantly, it went off without a hitch. It was beautiful. It was amazing and it felt great to be able to do so rewarding.

What’s the most unexpected lesson your chronic illness/disability has taught you?

The most unexpected lesson my chronic illness has taught me is that illness is not a barrier. It’s a blueprint.

Living with sickle cell has shown me how to lead, love, and live fully with intention. I’ve built businesses, managed teams, spoken on stages, and traveled the world — all while navigating pain, hospital stays, and fatigue. The difference? I’ve learned how to adapt without shrinking, to rest without guilt, and to advocate without apology.

It turns out, the very things I thought would hold me back have become the tools that make me unstoppable.

What’s your “daily non-negotiable” for staying in tune with your health and happiness?

My daily non-negotiable? Protecting my energy from the start. I’m not an early bird, so I honor that by setting a later start time for work when I can. Sleep is healing, and I give myself permission to rest without guilt.

I also never leave home without my water canister. Hydration is a daily priority, not an afterthought — especially with sickle cell. Drinking water consistently throughout the day keeps my body balanced and helps prevent pain episodes.

It’s a simple combo of sleep, structure, and sips, but it keeps me in tune with both my health and happiness.

Who or what inspires you to keep going, even when things feel impossible?

What keeps me going, even when things feel impossible, is my family. Their love, sacrifices, and belief in me are a constant reminder that I’m here for a reason.

But it’s also the bigger picture: I’m inspired by the desire to leave a legacy that outlives me. I want to build something meaningful — businesses, community, cultural bridges — that prove you can live with a chronic illness and live a purposeful life.

What makes you poppin’?

It’s the energy I bring into every room, whether I’m leading a board meeting or tearing up a dance floor. I’m all about authentic vibes, my laugh is another and unapologetic joy.

🛍️ Product of the Month: Thriving. In Abundance. Limitless Enamel Pin

Think of this Thriving. In Abundance. Limitless. Enamel Pin as a love letter to real friendship. Inspired by Kelli Prenny’s iconic line from “Insecure” — “Everyone I associate with is thriving. In abundance. Limitless.” — it’s a tangible way to honor the people who lift you up. Every time you glance at it, you’re transported back to moments of deep connection, laughter in the face of chaos, and circles that hold you down through life’s ups and downs. Get your hands on this wearable reminder of your circle: friends who show up, stay grounded, and cheer you on through thick and thin.

📚 Relevant Reads: August 2025

🎥 Currently Watching

📅 August 2025 Calendar

• 🖤 Black Business Month

• 🧘🏾‍♀️ National Wellness Month

• 🧡 Psoriasis Awareness Month/Psoriasis Action Month

• 🍔 22: National Burger Day

• 🫂 23: Hug Your Sweetheart Day

• 🐶 26: National Dog Day

• 🚺 26: National Women’s Equality Day

• 🍷 28: National Red Wine Day

• 🐾 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

• 🕊️ 29: Individual Rights Day

• 🏖️ 30: National Beach Day

• 😢 30: National Grief Awareness Day

• 💜 31: International Overdose Awareness Day

• 🧺 31: Eat Outside Day

💌 Friendly Reminder

✨ The ChILLness Chronicles is a cozy corner of the internet, created with love for the chronically chill and their cherished ones. Every post is a gentle reminder that life doesn’t stop with a diagnosis — you can still create, dream, and thrive on your own terms. And, of course, community makes the journey lighter. If this space speaks to you, consider subscribing to receive new posts and support this work — then share this edition with a friend who could use a little extra ChILL in their life. 💛