💪I create resources to help people adapt to living with chronic illness so they can thrive.
💫You don’t have to keep up with the pace everyone else expects
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Hi Reader, Some weeks make it painfully clear that the world moves at a pace many of us simply can’t match. And if you’ve ever felt discouraged by how quickly everyone else seems to juggle work, home, errands, and life in general, you’re not alone. There’s a kind of pressure woven into our culture that tells us we’re supposed to keep up no matter what our bodies are doing. But what happens when you live with chronic illness and that pressure hits up against a body that doesn’t respond on command? What happens when even the simplest tasks take more energy than anyone around you realizes? And what happens when you start believing the myth that your worth is tied to how much you can accomplish? These questions have been sitting with me for a while, especially on the days when my energy is unpredictable and everything feels a little heavier than usual. I’ve been thinking about how easily hustle culture slips into our self-talk, how quickly it shapes the expectations we place on ourselves, and how hard it can be to step back from it without feeling like we’re letting something slip. So this week's post comes from that place. It explores what it actually looks like to resist hustle culture when you have a chronic illness and why choosing a slower, more honest pace isn’t failure. It’s survival. It’s self-respect. And it’s a powerful form of advocacy. You can read the full post here when you’re ready: How to Resist Hustle Culture When You Have a Chronic Illness I hope the post gives you a little breathing room, or at least helps you feel less alone in the pressure you’re navigating. If it resonates, take your time with it. Let it sit with you. And most of all, let it remind you that your pace is valid, even when the world tries to rush you.
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April Smith | The Thriving Spoonie
💪I create resources to help people adapt to living with chronic illness so they can thrive.
There’s this point in December where the world seems to speed up—even if you’re standing still. The invites stack up, the errands multiply, and everyone starts talking about “making the most of the season” like that phrase means the same thing for everyone. But when you’re living with chronic illness, your capacity doesn’t expand just because the calendar says it should. That’s what I kept thinking as I wrote this week’s post—not about how to squeeze more joy into a season that’s already too...
Hi Reader, There’s something about this time of year that brings up a strange combination of anticipation and pressure. The world starts shifting into celebration mode, and even if you love parts of the season, it can still feel like the pace around you speeds up long before your body is ready to match it. Lately,a I’ve been noticing all the small ways the holidays feel different when your energy is limited and your symptoms don’t take a break just because the calendar says it’s time to...
Hey Reader, I’ve been thinking a lot about how the world talks about gratitude—especially this time of year. It always seems to show up in neat little quotes and posts that say things like“There’s always something to be thankful for.”“Choose gratitude.”“Gratitude turns what you have into enough.” I don’t know about you, but when I’m navigating symptoms, appointments, side effects, and just trying to get through the week in one piece… that kind of messaging feels disconnected at best. At...