Shirley Mercer Designs

I have a scan coming up. So naturally I have anxiety. Or as many cancer survivors call it... scanxiety.

It's that special little gift where your brain suddenly becomes a full-time detective, fortune teller, and worst-case-scenario writer all at the same time. 😆

One minute you're enjoying your coffee and planning your week. The next you're wondering if every ache, pain, sneeze, and random twitch means something.

The funny thing is, scanxiety can show up even after years of good news.
👉🏻Your calendar says, "Routine appointment."
🤓Your brain says, "Let's revisit every medical event since the dawn of your time."

The good news? I've learned not to believe everything my brain tells me.

For now, I'll focus on what I know, not what I imagine. And maybe have another cup of coffee (couldn't hurt right?) ☕💜

To my fellow survivors: if you're feeling scanxiety, you're not alone.

Well, that was a little unsettling. 😳

I woke up, grabbed my coffee, opened Instagram... and nothing. Gone. For 24 hours.

Facebook came back pretty quickly, but Instagram decided to take an extended vacation. ☕🏝️

It was a great reminder that while social media is an amazing way to connect, it's still rented ground. Your email list? That's something you own.

If you're building a business, growing a community, or sharing your message, don't forget the importance of collecting email addresses and nurturing those connections.

Because when social media takes a nap, your email list is still awake. 😉

Check out my latest blog (shirleymercer.com)for 3 quick tips to start building your list today!

World cancer day 4 February 2025.
💕Supporting the fighters
💕Admiring the survivors
💕Honouring the taken

My word for the year is MOVE.

Last year, I focused on dropping down to a healthier weight and I’m proud of that work. The new year is all about keeping things in motion.

That might look like swimming in the pool, or the lake if I’m feeling brave. A little pickleball. More walking. And yes, even the gym (yuck… but we’ll survive).

Nothing extreme. Nothing perfect. Just more movement, more energy, more joy.

So here’s to stretching, splashing, stepping, and sweating a little more often.
Let’s move.

✨ What’s your word for 2026?

⛄🎄🎅Christmas at the Mercers. 🎅🎄⛄

As much as their younger years were crazy & enjoyable...this day is heartwarming with our grown children (missing our Kels and Nathan).

A lovely quiet start to the day with the traditional cinnamon buns, followed by a round of gift opening with time out for Keith to put his kinder surprise together (forever a kid). And now onto the making of the dinner and enjoying the evening with family and friends.

It feels like everything old is new again...and honestly, I’m not mad about it!

I posted a story last week about Converse sneakers being back in full swing. Now I am seeing wide leg jeans are suddenly cool again! Today I’m basically dressed like my grade 9 self… minus the questionable hair choices. 😂

There’s something kind of comforting about seeing old favourites make a comeback. A little nostalgia, a little style, and a lot of “wait… didn’t I wear this exact outfit decades ago?”

Everything comes full circle I guess. I really should have hung on to some of those pants (and the grade 9 waist size lol)