Finding Acceptance and Positivity When Living With Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic illness is tough, especially on your mental health; there's no denying it. It can drain you mentally, physically, and emotionally. But I refuse to let it defeat me. It's been a journey to find both acceptance and positivity, finding the perfect balance to live my best life despite the limitations that my body has forced upon me. And let me tell you, it's not easy, but it's worth it and essential.

Yes, living with a chronic illness is challenging, but it's not impossible to live a fulfilling life. By finding that balance between acceptance and positivity, educating myself, focusing on what I can control, and setting realistic goals, I learned that there's always a way to make the most of my situation.

Inspiring and Empowering My Family

My positive outlook inspires my family to stay optimistic and proactive. They see me facing the challenges with courage and determination, which motivates them to be strong and supportive. It empowers them to be my pillars of strength and encourages open communication and understanding within the family. I can openly express how they can best support me, whether it's through physical assistance, emotional support, or simply being there to listen.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Maintaining a positive attitude helps alleviate the stress and anxiety that often accompany living with a chronic illness. By minimising my own negative emotions, I can create a calmer and more relaxed environment at home. This, in turn, helps my family feel less overwhelmed and better equipped to support me effectively.

In conclusion, I feel my positive attitude significantly influences my family's ability to support me through my chronic illness. It inspires them, enhances communication, reduces stress, and empowers them to be active partners in my care. Together, we navigate this journey with hope and strength.

So, remaining positive is crucial not only for me but also for my family.

How I achieve that balance: 

Accepting my situation 

First and foremost, accepting my situation was key. I had to learn that it's okay to have limitations and that I needed to make adjustments to my lifestyle and routines.

Educating myself

This has been an important one for me. For me to be able to accept and adapt, I have to understand my conditions as much as I can. Understanding the nature of my illness, treatment options, and self-care strategies empowers me to take an active role in managing my health. Knowledge helps me to make informed decisions and reduce anxiety.

Focus on what you can control

Another crucial factor was focusing on what I could control. Dwelling on what I couldn't do just wasted precious energy. Instead, I learned to shift my focus to what I can control and the choices I have in front of me.

Setting realistic goals 

I’ve accepted that I’m not able to accomplish everything I want to, but I can still focus on achieving what is possible. I do this by learning to Pace myself and by breaking down goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. So, for example, I wanted to re-organise the utility room, but instead of doing it all in one go (which would not be possible for me), I set small goals by achieving them bit by bit, paced out, and spread them across the week.

Find joy in the little things

Focusing on the positive aspects of my family, friends, and life improves my overall well-being. Every day, I try to find joy in the little things - like spending time with loved ones, my mum bringing my baby niece around every Friday, or watching my daughter show me her art projects. My son’s telling me about their day. And my dogs bring me much joy every day.  Additionally, I enjoy watching your favourite TV shows, writing blog posts, or simply indulging in a nice dessert now and then. These small moments of happiness can help lift my mood, and they certainly make life more enjoyable.

Taking care of me

Taking care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally is crucial. I pace myself and make sure I get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, and practice yoga regularly—even if it's just light stretching. I engage in activities I enjoy and make time for self-care, like reading or lying on my acupuncture mat (it’s so good for relieving pain). I also love to indulge in beauty products, try out new creams, paint my nails, etc. 

Practice self-compassion

I try to be gentle and understanding with myself on the days when I feel discouraged or overwhelmed. I treat myself with kindness and compassion, acknowledging that it's okay to have ups and downs. Remember that I am doing my best, and it's important to be patient and forgiving with myself.

Final thoughts

Finding a balance between acceptance and positivity can be challenging when living with a chronic illness. But with patience, practice, and self-care, you can learn to live a fulfilling life despite your condition. Remember to prioritise your physical, mental, and emotional well-being and surround yourself with supportive people.

About me

I am a married mother of four children, and I am in my mid-40s. I run a small business and enjoy writing, which is why I blog. My blog focuses on my experiences of living with chronic illnesses and disabilities such as ME/CFS, spinal stenosis, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia.