Chronic illness … What a pain in the butt, no pun intended for my fellow Crohnies and UC warriors. ?
I read this post on Instagram last night. She followed this with a post about how she couldn’t understand how women that are struggling with chronic illness can put themselves together every day even when they’re feeling horribly sick.
I wrote to the her and said that I believed it was because we hit a point where we won’t let the illness take away our desires to look our best.
My husband is the kindest man alive. He tells me every day that I’m beautiful without make-up. He’s never told me that I’m too skinny, I’m too swollen, or any other negative comment about my looks that are a reflection of what my illness does to my mind, body, and spirit.
Crohn’s & colitis makes me drop weight, gain weight, feel and look exhausted, and sometimes it makes me feel completely defeated. But the best thing in any of this is my persistence to be healthy and live a happy life.
When I recall happy moments from my life I typically I think that it means I probably looked put together. However, in reality my happy moments come in a variety. Sometimes it’s when I’m make-up free and other times it’s in moments when I’m completely dressed-up.
The raw reality but is the truth, it’s both.
Some days I’m sick but I choose to get dressed-up to make myself feel halfway normal, pretty, and productive. So I put make-up on, fix my hair, and wear something that is comfortable because I’m probably in the bathroom for extended times so I want to be comfortable. It’s ridulous to “get ready” when I know no one else will see me but it makes me happy and have more self-confidence.
In contrast, there are other days that I feel ah-mazing so I walk the park, get a solid hour of yoga in, and I look like I was ran over by a stampede.
When I take a step-back and write this it reminds me that I’m actually a little bit more balanced than I previously thought. Yay, tiny victories!
The hustle to look, feel, and actually be healthy and happy is the biggest struggle for anyone battling a chronic illness.
I read a study that had evidence about how people battling depression could become happier if / when they would force a smile, even a fake one.
What a powerful idea!
Your brain that is battling depression or sadness and it can also be fooled by itself if simply you put a smile on your face. It’s not a cure but every little bit helps, right?
So what are we waiting for? Start smiling! Start living! Keep powering through, little fighter! AND on your worst days put a smile on your face and fake it till you make it!
✨❤️ Be the warrior I know you can be. ❤️✨
Southern Girl says
AWESOME! I love this article. It caught my attention bcuz this is exactly what I have to do in order to make it thru my work day (rather often).
But not bcuz of myself but bcuz of a disgruntled co-worker. And I have to force a smile most times to keep myself in a good place to ensure that I don’t “when in Rome” myself. You know…lose myself. I’ve worked too hard on loving myself and overcoming and accepting my adversities ( being my very own #1 critic). I still battle with my depression and anxiety but it isn’t as exhausting like it used to be. I’ve learned little techniques to trick my brain.I.regain control and change the channel of my thoughts. This way…I can and am responsible for my OWN happiness. I’m done letting this be my crutch as to why…………
Kudos to YOU and may the Lord continue to bless you along your journey!
&Thankyou for sharing your “life” with me. I definitely needed that extra confirmation TODAY!
Take care&God bless!!
Bella says
Hi Southern Girl! You just inspired me. Thank you for sharing that. Life is a struggle at moments but overcoming our adversities is what truly makes us stronger.