Why I'm Rejecting 'Hustle Culture' in My Life With Chronic Illness

Why is it that in today’s day and age, we are conditioned that to be successful, we always have to be busy?

When chronic illness hit me, everything slowed way down. I found myself unable to do as much because of constant pain or fatigue, and plagued by that little voice in my head constantly saying, “Why are you not doing this or that?” “Why are you always napping?”

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I struggled with feeling constant guilt about what I cannot do and having to say no to certain outings because my body cannot handle it. I’m frustrated about being hassled by doctors or able-bodied people to exercise or meditate to “fix” the problem, while they do not realize the possible repercussions of exercising for our ill bodies.

I think it’s important for both people with chronic illness and able-bodied individuals to understand that it’s OK to slow down. It’s OK to say no.

It takes a lot of time and practice to recondition our brains, but it is vital to our mental health.

What can you practice saying to yourself?

It’s OK to listen to my body.

Thoughts are just that. Thoughts.

I am unable to do certain things because of my disability and that’s OK.

I will have good days and bad days. I choose to cherish the good ones.

We all have different paths to travel. The journey is what matters, not the end result.