Why I Stopped Feeling Ashamed of My Hygiene on Flare Days


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Hi Reader,

I used to believe that if I couldn’t get through a full hygiene routine, I was failing at self-care.

It didn’t matter if I was in pain, dizzy, or too exhausted to stand—if I skipped a shower, left my hair unwashed, or didn’t brush my teeth, the shame hit hard. And that shame lingered, making me feel even worse.

But here’s what no one tells you:
When you live with chronic illness, hygiene isn’t just about cleanliness. It’s about energy, safety, and dignity.

The reality is, some days your body will set limits you can’t push past without paying for it later. And on those days, “good hygiene” doesn’t look like it does for healthy people. It’s smaller. Simpler. And still entirely valid.

In my newest post, The Simple Hygiene Tips That Help Me Survive My Worst Chronic Illness Days, I’m opening up about the practical changes—and mindset shifts—that freed me from hygiene guilt.

Inside, I share:

  • How I adapted my space so hygiene is within reach, even on flare days
  • The adjustments that keep me feeling cared for when I can’t do “everything”
  • Why my version of hygiene is enough—and how yours can be too

If you’ve ever ended a flare day feeling ashamed instead of supported, I want you to know there’s a better way.

Read the post here: The Simple Hygiene Tips That Help Me Survive My Worst Chronic Illness Days​

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And if you want to make your own flare-day hygiene easier, I’ve created the Hygiene Help Sheet for Flare Days—a printable guide with:

  • Energy-saving hygiene swaps for low-energy days
  • How to prepare on higher-energy days for unexpected flares
  • Tips for prioritizing your bare-minimum hygiene tasks

Grab your copy here: Download the Hygiene Help Sheet for Flare Days​

Because your worth isn’t measured by how much you can do—especially on the hardest days.

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Until next time,

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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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