life and times of the chronically ill

you’re allowed to be a mess.

you’re allowed to not have it all together.

you’re allowed to complain.

you’re allowed to want more for yourself.

you are not a burden

your illness or condition is not and never will be your fault

you are worthy of love, kindness, compassion, patience and understanding

October 10, 2019Mental Health day.

A very simplified version of a very serious, very complex matter.

doctor: have you tried exercising, eating fruit and losing weight?

chronically ill person:

We have to stock ourselves with good things before we are able to give them away, and if we are too exhausted to make bread, we must rest before we can make it to serve our friends. If we are too hungry to serve, we must eat some bread ourselves first.

It's a metaphor for emotional exhaustion. When we wear ourselves down it makes it difficult or impossible to help the people around us, and all the effort and good intentions in the world can't make up for the fact that our vessels are empty. It's hard to not want to serve when our friends are in trouble, but trying to serve from an empty vessel often leaves both of you floundering.

and realise how very brilliant you are at surviving. Panic attacks, bullying, difficult relationships, physical health problems, mental illness?

YOU SURVIVED IT

Suicidal thoughts, plans, even attempts?

YOU SURVIVED IT

Not thinking you could live another day?

YOU SURVIVED IT

Anything that’s really hard right now?