A Different Way to Look Back on Your Year With Chronic Illness


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Hi Reader,

As the year winds down, a lot of people start talking about clarity, lessons, and what they plan to do differently. But if you’re living with chronic illness, the end of the year often carries a different kind of weight. It can feel like you’re holding the sum of twelve unpredictable months in your body, not neatly tucked into a journal or tied together in a tidy reflection.

I found myself reaching this season without the usual energy to make meaning out of everything. There wasn’t a clear narrative or a polished takeaway. Just the truth of what it feels like to move through a year when your body sets the terms more often than the calendar does. And honestly, that realization softened something in me.

If you’ve ever felt pressured to wrap the year in a story that feels cleaner than the one you actually lived, you may recognize the tension I’m talking about. There’s a quiet relief in giving yourself permission to step back and let your reflections be exactly what they are. No performance. No pressure. Just honesty.

My latest post explores this shift and what it opened up for me. Not as advice, but as a personal story that might help you feel less alone if this season isn’t lining up with what everyone else seems to be celebrating.

You can read it here whenever you’re ready:
​A Gentler Way to End the Year When You Live With Chronic Illness
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Wishing you softness as you move through this time in a way that fits your energy.

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April Smith | Chronic Illness Adaptability Guide
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Owner & Founder of The Thriving Spoonie​
​Email | Bluesky | Pinterest​

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Take control of your energy and routine—grab The Complete Guide to Daily Chronic Illness Management and start thriving today.

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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie

đź’ŞI create resources to help people adapt to living with chronic illness so they can thrive.

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