Finding Joy While Being Chronically Ill

Being chronically ill comes with a lot of different emotions. These emotions can be so strong and overbearing at times. While being ill you are faced with a lot of situations that you could never prepare for and these situations can leave you in a lot of emotional distress. Physical health affects your mental health more than people would think.

When you are chronically ill your life becomes a vicious cycle of intense symptoms and flares. This can leave you feeling completely hopeless and lost. Even though at times it feels impossible to find joy, it is possible, even on the darkest days. Some days you have to search a little harder for that joy but it is always there. Joy looks different to everyone. As chronic illness warriors it is so important that we surround ourselves with joy because it is easy to lose hope of experiencing pure joy again.

I find joy in many ways in my life and I really make an effort to make those things a part of my daily living. One of the main ways that I find joy/happiness is by surrounding myself with the love and support of my family and friends.They have the ability to turn my bad days into good days. I am so thankful for them because they not only provide joy, they also give me so much hope. I also find joy in doing things I love such as: painting, cooking/baking, writing, being around kids and being in nature. 

This time last year I was having a rough time especially with my mental illnesses. I would go to doctors appointments and would always be asked the depression screening questions. I would always be asked “Do you find joy when you do things?” For about 10 months my answer to that question was always “no”. I had hit rock bottom and nothing brought me joy anymore, or at least I thought. Looking back now, joy was still there even on my darkest days. Sometimes during hard times things become so overwhelming that we forget that even then we can still find joy in the little things. It is okay to have bad days but it is so important that everyday we challenge ourselves to stop and find joy. Joy ALWAYS outweighs the bad and it is so important that we remind ourselves of that.

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