Chronic Illness: Living Life As a Sick Person Who Doesn't Look Sick: How I Make It Work by Heather Holter
I have two invisible illnesses that affect my day-to-day life. Social anxiety and fibromyalgia. If I am not struggling mentally, it is likely I am struggling physically and vice versa. There are very few days I am not suffering from symptoms of one or both of my issues. It makes life hard, but also makes me realize my blessings when it is a good day.
Many people doubt if I am really sick, and others assume it must not be that bad because I do so much. I used to be very bothered that people just don't get it, but then I realized it doesn't matter if they get it or not. It is my issue to deal with and really makes no difference to my life and how I live it whether or not people understand my struggles.
How I do so much and make it through is out of necessity and has a lot to do with mindset. I try to only think of the task at hand and not the big long list of tasks ahead of me. I know if I thought that way I would be frozen with doubt over being able to complete all my tasks, and that I probably would not do any of it.
I also stopped telling people my struggles because sadly, if you don't look sick people doubt you, which is not helpful. Positive thinking and perseverance gets me through each day.
join discussion