The Thriving RN

17/06/2025

Life throws curveballs, and sometimes they hit harder than expected! I've been navigating my own healing journey lately, finding power in slowing down and pouring back into myself. In the midst of balancing health, career, and personal growth, I'm constantly reminded that we're stronger together.
At Thrive RN, my mission is to share those

strategies and build a community where we all learn to move from surviving to truly thriving, even amidst chronic illness. It's more than a business—it's a space for honest conversations about self-care and finding your unique path to wellness. Whether it's post-op recovery or simply learning to reclaim your energy, I'm here to share insights and support you.

What does 'thriving' mean to you today, or what's one small win you're celebrating? Let's connect! "

17/06/2025

Hello, wonderful community! ✨ Building on our last chat about whole-person healing and chronic hope, I'm thrilled to share some exciting news on my professional journey!

I'm actively pursuing a Holistic and Integrative Nursing Coach certification and also working towards becoming a Certified Case Manager! These steps are all about deepening my ability to support you with comprehensive, personalized care and advocacy.

And there's more! I've also stepped into a new position that aligns perfectly with our mission here at Thrive RN. I'm so excited about how these new avenues will enhance the resources, support groups, and communities we're building together.
My commitment to empowering your journey to flourish remains stronger than ever! 🌱🩵🌻💛

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thank you for being part of this incredible community! ❤️

17/06/2025

Hey everyone! 👋 You might notice my bio got a little refresh – it now truly reflects my passion for integrating nursing and chronic illness to champion whole-person healing 🌱, community support 🤝, and disability/mental health advocacy 💙. We're also planting seeds of hope via our peer support text line and cultivating chronic hope 🩵🌻💛 to empower your journey to flourish! ✨

I'm excited to be more active here in our growing community! To make sure I'm providing the most helpful content, I'd love to hear from you. What kind of support (like support groups!), resources, or information do you need most right now?

P.S. Exciting news! Chronic Hope/Thrive jewelry is coming soon! Stay tuned! 💍

Let me know in the comments! 👇

17/06/2025

HELP! 🙃 No one warned me how disastrously stupid rude the post-op pain is from this radiofrequency ablation! For those wondering, it's basically where they use heat to hit the 'mute' button on a super angry nerve in your neck/head that's been screaming pain signals. Right now, I'm basically drowning myself in ice to cope. 🧊!

My cat's currently conducting a solo opera directly into my ear 🎧😼, amplifying my migraine to new levels. 🫠 It definitely feels like one of those days where everything is 'upside down' and 'wrongside right.' Why does the wrong seem to win in the fight when it's up against what's right? It's a battle, but I'm telling myself that things are bound to change, and I hope I'm right! This pain is temporary, and the goal is a quieter nerve! Docs said she was super angry but she's sound asleep now haha. Downtime is looking minimal!

So, here's a cute throwback of me enjoying my yogurt, from a time when my nerves were chill and my cat was... less vocal. 😂 Send good vibes (and maybe earplugs)!

Here are some hashtags for your Instagram Story caption, blending the medical, chronic illness, and humorous aspects with the "Wrongside Right" theme:

07/04/2025

“We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program.
We were even told, ‘Blessed are they that mourn,’ and I accept it.
I’ve got nothing that I hadn’t bargained for.
Of course, it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others,
and in reality, not imagination.”
—C.S. Lewis

Some days, healing looks like advocacy.
Other days, it looks like soft sweaters, golden eyes, and the warm weight of a cat who doesn’t need you to be strong—just here.

As a nurse living with chronic illness, I’ve learned that pain and purpose can coexist.
That even the cracks in the system hold space for connection.
That hope is still holy, even when it whispers, even when it’s quiet.

At ThriveRN, I’m working to bridge the gap between caregiving and being cared for.
Because we all deserve better. We all deserve rest, support, and a space to breathe.

If you need that space, or just want to feel a little less alone:

Text Seeds of Hope
(408) 780-4865
It’s a free, peer-led warmline for nurses, spoonies, and anyone navigating the sacred mess of being human.

You are not a burden. You are not alone.
You are already standing on holy ground.



⸻

Image Descriptions:

Image 1:
A soft, intimate photo of Tara Flesner resting with her cat. She’s wearing a mustard yellow sweater, lying on a cozy surface with her face gently nestled into her tabby cat’s side. The cat, Peanut, is relaxed and sleeping peacefully. The lighting is warm and natural, casting soft shadows that create a calm, sacred atmosphere. Both appear at peace—sharing a quiet, healing moment.

Image 2:
A minimal, softly-toned digital graphic with leafy green and gold botanical illustrations curling inward from the edges. In the center, elegant script reads:
“Hope is still holy—
even when it’s quiet.”
At the bottom, the word “ThriveRN” appears in small, simple text. The color palette uses muted cream, green, and golden yellow—evoking calm, warmth, and quiet strength

28/03/2025

Faith, love, and doubt: finding self-trust again with chronic intractable migraine.

Living with a chronic condition has a way of shaking your foundation. There have been moments I doubted my body, my worth, my strength—but I’m learning to rebuild trust in myself. Slowly. Gently. With love.

“There’s no such thing as an unbeliever. We all trust in different things.”

I’m learning that faith isn’t the absence of fear, but the choice to keep going anyway. That self-love includes believing in my capacity to heal, to adapt, and to grow—even when the path is nonlinear.

And now, I’m honoring that growth by pursuing something that feels both purposeful and personal: I’m officially working toward becoming a nurse coach / holistic nurse and earning my Certified Case Manager (CCM) certification.

I want to help others—nurses and spoonies alike—navigate the complexities of healing, of balancing care and self-care, of rebuilding trust in bodies that have carried so much.

This journey is mine, but it’s also meant to be shared. Thank you for walking it with me.

28/02/2025

“What does Rare Disease Day mean to me—as a nurse and a spoonie?”

It means walking a tightrope between two worlds. One foot in scrubs, advocating for patients, the other navigating my own body’s unpredictability. It’s knowing the system from both sides—understanding how hard it is to fight for care and also seeing the gaps that so many of us slip through.

It’s carrying the weight of knowledge, the frustration of barriers, and the deep empathy that comes from lived experience. It’s wanting to heal while still needing healing.

Rare Disease Day isn’t just awareness—it’s a call to action. For better care, better understanding, and for those of us caught between the two worlds to be seen, heard, and believed. That’s why I created Seeds of Hope—a warm text line through ThriveRN where healthcare workers and spoonies can connect for peer-to-peer support. Because no one should have to navigate this journey alone. 💙💚💛

“Clearly it’s up to me
To be happy and loving and gracious
And kind to the people and good to the places
Where I could live whole-hearted days full of sweet, sweet joy…”

If you need support, text (408) 780-4865. You are never alone.

Image description: A selfie of me wearing a light blue and white quarter-zip hoodie. My striped tabby, Princhesca, looks up at me lovingly, her eyes full of warmth.

15/02/2025

To love and friendship 🌻🥰😻

10/01/2025

✨ Answering the Call of the Wind-Up Bird ✨

Life’s beauty often lies in the quiet moments—the ones that feel simple yet grounding, like the warmth of a coffee mug in your hand or the soft purring of a cat in your lap. These are the rituals that remind me to slow down, breathe, and listen for the call of the wind-up bird.

Inspired by Haruki Murakami’s novels, Matthew Thiessen’s music, and my own journey as a nurse with chronic illness, I’ve been reflecting on how small acts of self-love and connection help us navigate life’s chaos. Whether I’m making coffee, sitting with Peanut on my lap, or working to create mental health resources through ThriveRN, I’m learning to embrace the threads that tie everything together—dreams, love, and resilience.

🖤 Read my latest blog (link in bio!) to explore how rituals, imagination, and connection help us thrive. And tell me, what rituals or moments of quiet joy ground you?

📸: Peanut purring in my lap, coffee in hand, and my heart full.

14/11/2024

05/11/2024

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.