Life with Chronic Pain and Illness: Hidden Truths of Living with Chronic Pain and Illness

Life with Chronic Pain and Illness

Life with chronic pain and illness is keeping so many truths hidden, even from those closest to us. Here are just a few:

1. The enormous amount of spoons (energy) to appear “normal.” No one sees the hidden costs and the amount of recovery time needed.
2. The acknowledgment that you feel so much worse than you appear to others.
3. The fear that things will continue to get worse, that there will be new diagnoses, or that you will never feel better.
4. The costs associated with whether or not something is worth the inevitable crash after taking a shower, going for a walk or drive, attending an event you’ve planned for weeks or longer to attend, etc.
5. The grief over knowing things will never be the same as before—for the “you” that’s no longer there.
6. The loneliness associated with living with an invisible illness or pain that no one else can truly see or feel.
7. The exhaustion associated with just trying to get through the most basic daily activities.
8. The strength is takes to keep showing up daily.
9. The struggle to stay hopeful, all the while reminding yourself that God still has a plan for you.

Is there anything you’d add to this list? Feel free to share it in the comments.

I hope you have a low-pain day.

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