I am courageous, I am resilient.
Written version.
Whether you believe it or not right now, you are one courageous, resilient human.
I know this because this is the (bonus) result of life with chronic illness.
Courage and resilience are pretty wonderful qualities to have, right? But, it’s not cool that your quota gets used up on surviving within The Chronic Illness Struggle (that is, trying to live up to societies (ridiculous) expectations of a human whilst also living with chronic illness).
When you remove the pressure of trying to live up to those (ridiculous) societal expectations, you’re handed back a great portion of that effort and energy, and everything that goes into it. It’s like you finally get to use the muscles you’ve built after yonks in the gym.
This programme is all about learning to see your chronic illness as your guide, ally and superpower, and today you get to tap into how the very experience of living with chronic illness has set you up to take on anything you wish.
Whilst you’ve been led to believe that you’ll have to live a smaller, lesser life in the face of chronic illness, I want you to believe that you can live whatever life you want to live. Because you get to do it your way.
Living with chronic illness is like being given a big green light to deeply tune into your body, ask it what it needs, and live in a way that is so very unique to you. It’s an opportunity to ask yourself “What will give me the best, truest most aligned life experience?”, and the knowing that it makes complete sense to follow through with whatever that answer is.
Now, I know that in practice it’s not as simple as all that. We all carry stories, beliefs and fears. But today I want you to dream.
I’d like you to imagine for a minute what you’d use your courage and resilience on if it wasn’t being used on life within The Chronic Illness Struggle. Because, whilst those attributes have been fostered within the environment of chronic illness life, they get to be directed elsewhere. You get to tap into those parts of you when you need them, for whatever you want to use them on.
It takes courage to go your own way; to decide on the life you want to live, and take steps towards living it. That courage is already within you.
It takes resilience to keep showing up for that. To try things and have them not quite work out the way you’d imagined, and then to try, try, try again. That resilience is already within you.
Practice.
I’d like you to imagine for a minute what you’d use your courage and resilience on if it wasn’t being used on life within The Chronic Illness Struggle. Because, whilst those attributes have been fostered within the environment of chronic illness life, they get to be directed elsewhere. You get to tap into those parts of you when you need them, for whatever you want to use them on.
✨ It takes courage to go your own way; to decide on the life you want to live, and take steps towards living it. That courage is already within you.
✨ It takes resilience to keep showing up for that. To try new things, have them not quite work out the way you’d imagined, and then try, try, try again. That resilience is already within you.
Journal prompts.
I am a courageous person because…
How has your chronic illness required you to be courageous in the past? Trying new things, going against the grain, standing your ground, backing yourself…
This is how I would like to use my courage… think about the things you dream of doing, that somewhere inside you believe are possible for you, but that you haven’t yet tried for whatever reason.
What support do you need to make that happen/take the first step?
Take the first step (that could be; asking for the support I need)
I am a resilient person because…
How has your chronic illness required you to be resilient in the past? Getting back on the horse, time and time again, keeping on keeping on, keeping your dream of a more peaceful life alive…
This is how I would like to use my resilience… think about the things you dream of doing, that somewhere inside you believe are possible for you, but that you haven’t yet tried for whatever reason.
What support do you need to make that happen/take the first step?
Take the first step (that could be; asking for the support I need).
Remember, you’ve been in training for this the whole time you’ve lived with chronic illness.