5 Positive, Yet Realistic Things to Remember If You Live With Chronic Illness

This article is just as much for me as it is for anyone else. Learning to live with a chronic illness is a lifelong journey, one that has many twists and turns, as well as the occasional muddy water that can seem impossible to pass. Here are some reminders for when you come across those uncrossable obstacles.

1. You don’t have to apologize for something out of your control.

Being chronically ill is out of your control. There’s no way around that. If it was in your control, you probably wouldn’t be chronically ill.

2. Don’t judge yourself through someone else’s eyes.

Shame has no place in your wellness journey. You deserve a life that is shame-free and you don’t owe anyone anything. Which leads me to my next point.

3. You are not obligated to do everything a healthy person does.

You don’t owe anyone a healthy persona. If you are authentically yourself, you are not healthy, and you don’t have to pretend to be.

4. You are capable of achieving more than you believe.

Remember that time you thought you were so tired you couldn’t take another step and you did? You did that. That proves you can do hard things.

5. You’re not unreliable — your health is.

This is something I’m still learning, but that’s not going to stop me from trying to teach it! As I said before, shame, especially shame about canceling plans for your physical or mental well-being, has no place in your life. Letting yourself rest is part of a well-balanced life, and sometimes, rest has to come first. Listen to your body, and allow the shame train to keep moving.

If anything, I hope this list is a reminder that you are not alone. No matter what obstacles come along your path, you will always have support on The Mighty. As Albus Dumbledore says, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

So remember to reach out and turn on that light.