As I was putting the finishing touches on tonight's post, my son sent my daughter and me this sweet text: "Thank you both for your help today. Even if there were a few busts, it was a good day." He was right. Despite painfully slow service at a restaurant we went to for lunch and passive aggressive service from a sales associate at a store we visited, the rest of the day was productive and positive—in part because we chose not to dwell on the crummy moments. Happy New Year's Eve Eve everyone!

My daughter has a wise saying, "I've survived 100% of my toughest days, and I will not stop." This is an inspiring mantra for me and for anyone going through a tough time.

Do at least one relaxing and one pleasurable activity every day, such as walking in a forest, sitting outside or petting a puppy.

"Now I think Terry probably was aware that cancer would end his road, which makes it all the more inspiring: in the face of that crushing weight, he hustled for change, to help others. No sitting, no moping, just drive and hustle for change that wouldn't come in time to save him. That sense of constantly impelling forward has held such force in my life, as I'm sure it has for millions of others."

~ Steve Nash

I've come to realize that although my life isn't defined by ovarian cancer—after all, I'm a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, a public servant, a boss, an employee, a colleague, a writer, a blogger, a dog owner—I am increasingly comfortable with thinking of myself as an advocate, raising awareness about ovarian cancer. I'm also a storyteller, sharing my experience, day by day, of living with—and, I hope, overcoming—ovarian cancer. Even while undergoing treatment, I am enjoying life: laughing freely, loving deeply, eating heartily, playing thoughtfully, connecting widely, appreciating genuinely, writing profoundly, walking energetically, reading frequently.

When we work long hours out of love or passion or purpose, the work energizes us. But when our effort is driven by fear, or a sense of obligation or frustration that no one else will do the task if we don't, the work can lead to burnout. ... We often have little control over the jobs we are asked to do. But if you do have a choice, it's OK to take a break from activities that leave you drained, and it's OK to focus your efforts on people who appreciate them.

Change the channel. Rather than ruminate on what went wrong, distract yourself with an activity that engages your brain, such as doing a puzzle or playing a game. Like physical exercise, this will give your body and brain a chance to regain a state of equilibrium.

Reconnect with yourself. In "5 Ways to Cope With Empty Nest Syndrome," Amy Morin reminds us that parents often give up hobbies when caring for children takes over their lives. "An empty nest means that you have time to get back in touch with that side of you," writes Morin. "With your kids' stuff gone, there is now more space in your home to store the supplies you need to immerse yourself [in] activities you love." Morin adds that you can ease your sense of loss about your child's departure by finding new personal or professional challenges to tackle.

I identify with Michelle [Hughes]'s motto to "just live." I see it in my thriving friend, whose example inspired me to change the subtitle for Jenesis from living with ovarian cancer to living beyond ovarian cancer. I see it in the fellow cancer survivor who shared this quote with me early in my cancer journey: "Do not die while you are yet alive." By this, she meant do not focus on your possible death tomorrow and end up missing the potential of today. I see it in the oncology nurse who told me almost two years ago: "live your life."

"This year, make a list of what you deserve—not what you desire—what you think you deserve, and give yourself that. You can't get to the desires if you don't even believe what you deserve."

~ Dr. Bertice Berry

There can be huge differences between what we create for ourselves and what we create knowing that others will see it, judge it and perhaps share their negative feedback with us. When we change our products to meet the tastes of a fickle public, to get more clicks or to monetize our outputs, we risk losing the essence of our art and watering it down to meet the appetites of the masses.

Some things don't need to be done immediately. We don't need to push through everything when we're tired. Taking care of ourselves is often our most important responsibility.