Dear Diary,
Some days, life feels like a lot.
And then there are days when a lot feels like an understatement.
You know those days when you wake up, look at everything you’re dealing with, and wonder how you’re supposed to manage it all? The responsibilities, the expectations, the unanswered questions, the things you cannot control, and the things that somehow still need your attention.
And if you’re living with chronic illness, you can add a body that occasionally decides it has its own agenda.
Because apparently, life wasn’t complicated enough. 🙄😂
Today, I want to remind myself of something I often remind other people:
You do not have to figure everything out today.
Not every problem needs an immediate solution. Not every question needs an answer. And not every battle deserves what little energy you have left.
Sometimes, you just need to get through the next hour.
And if an hour feels overwhelming? Try the next minute.
And if even that feels like too much?
One moment at a time.
💜 The Pressure to Always Be Strong
One thing I’ve learned about living with chronic illness is that people become accustomed to seeing you push through.
They see you working, laughing, showing up, handling responsibilities, and somehow keeping life moving.
What they don’t always see is the exhaustion behind the smile.
The moments when you’re overwhelmed.
The frustration of having a mind that’s ready to conquer the world while your body is requesting an immediate shutdown.
Or the emotional weight of constantly adjusting your plans around circumstances you never asked for.
And because you’ve managed to survive so much already, people sometimes assume you can handle anything.
But here’s the thing.
Just because I’ve survived difficult things doesn’t mean those experiences don’t affect me.
I get tired.
I get frustrated.
I get overwhelmed.
And yes, sometimes I want to throw my hands in the air, clock out of adulthood, and request a refund on the entire day. 😂
Unfortunately, adulthood apparently has a strict no-refund policy.
So instead, I’m learning to give myself something I don’t always extend to myself as easily as I extend it to others.
Grace.
🌻 Learning That Rest Is Not Defeat
For someone accustomed to being independent, productive, and responsible for what feels like everything, slowing down doesn’t always come naturally.
There is always something that needs to be done.
Another task.
Another obligation.
Another person who needs something.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, I’m supposed to remember that I need something, too.
Rest.
Understanding.
Patience.
A moment when I don’t have to be the person who has everything figured out.
Living with Crohn’s Disease and Myasthenia Gravis has taught me that pushing through isn’t always the answer.
Sometimes, pushing through comes with consequences.
Sometimes, my body needs me to stop long before my mind is willing to cooperate.
And sometimes, the most productive thing I can do is absolutely nothing.
Yes, nothing.
No multitasking. No squeezing in one more responsibility. No convincing myself that I can rest after everything is finished.
Because let’s be serious. When is everything ever finished?
Exactly.
Rest is not a reward I have to earn. It’s something I need and deserve.
And I’m learning that taking care of myself doesn’t mean I’m neglecting everything else.
It means I’m finally including myself in the list of things that matter.
💜 You Are Allowed to Have Difficult Days
I think we sometimes confuse resilience with the expectation that we should never struggle.
But resilience doesn’t mean you’re unaffected by what life throws at you.
It doesn’t mean you never cry, never get discouraged, or never feel like you’ve reached your limit.
It means you can experience those emotions without allowing them to define your entire story.
And some days, surviving difficult circumstances is an accomplishment all by itself.
You don’t have to turn every difficult experience into an inspirational lesson.
You don’t have to find the silver lining immediately.
You don’t have to pretend everything is okay when it isn’t.
You’re allowed to have a difficult day without deciding you’re having a difficult life.
That distinction matters.
Because one overwhelming moment doesn’t erase all the progress you’ve made.
One bad day doesn’t undo your strength.
And needing rest doesn’t mean you’ve stopped moving forward.
I’ve spent enough time expecting myself to be strong through circumstances that would leave anyone exhausted.
I’m learning that I don’t have to prove how much I can endure.
Sometimes, I just need to acknowledge that what I’m carrying is heavy.
And give myself permission to put it down.
🫂 To My Fellow Warriors
If you’re reading this while facing something overwhelming, I want you to remember something.
You are not alone.
Maybe you’re dealing with a flare that refuses to cooperate.
Maybe you’re exhausted from appointments, medications, treatments, and trying to explain symptoms that other people cannot see.
Maybe you’re worried about your health, your family, your finances, or something you haven’t even found the words to describe.
Or maybe today is simply one of those days when everything feels heavier than usual.
Whatever you’re carrying, I hope you give yourself permission to set some of it down.
You do not have to solve every problem before you go to sleep tonight.
You do not have to prove your strength to anyone.
And you certainly do not have to apologize for being tired.
Some days, showing up is enough. Some days, resting is enough. And some days, simply making it through is more than enough.
So take that break.
Cancel the unnecessary obligation.
Let the dishes sit for a little while.
Put your phone on Do Not Disturb.
And if all you manage today is to make it from your bed to the couch and back again?
Well, congratulations. You completed the deluxe home tour. 😂💜
Seriously, though, give yourself the same compassion you would offer someone you love.
You deserve it, too.
🎵 Music Playing in My Head While Writing This
“The Climb” — Miley Cyrus
Because sometimes life isn’t about reaching the destination as quickly as possible.
It’s about navigating the difficult moments along the way, recognizing how far you’ve already come, and remembering that progress doesn’t always look the way you expected.
Some days we climb.
Some days we rest.
And some days we sit on the side of the mountain wondering who thought hiking was a good idea in the first place. 😂
But here’s what I’m learning.
I don’t have to reach the top of the mountain today to appreciate how far I’ve already climbed.
💭 Reflection Corner
Today, I’m reminding myself that strength doesn’t always look like pushing forward.
Sometimes, it looks like recognizing when I’ve had enough.
Sometimes, it looks like asking for help.
Sometimes, it looks like giving myself permission to rest without guilt.
And sometimes, it looks like accepting that I cannot control everything, fix everything, or carry everything at once.
My worth is not measured by how much I accomplish, how much I endure, or how well I hide my struggles.
I am allowed to be strong and exhausted.
Grateful and frustrated.
Hopeful and overwhelmed.
All at the same time.
And so are you.
To anyone who needs this reminder today:
Take life one hour at a time, one minute at a time, or even one breath at a time.
Be gentle with yourself.
Give yourself grace.
And remember that you don’t have to be strong every second of every day.
Sometimes, getting through the day is enough.
Not because you’ve given up.
Not because you’re weak.
But because you’re human.
And being human means there will be days when simply making it through deserves recognition.
So if today feels heavy, I’m sending you love, strength, and a gentle reminder that you’re not walking this journey alone. 💜🫂
And tomorrow?
We’ll figure that out when we get there.
Preferably after coffee. Because let’s not get carried away. ☕😂💜
Until next time, remember: Life with chronic illness isn’t always pretty, predictable, or easy. But even on the difficult days, our stories are still worth telling.
With love, laughter, and a little bit of grace,
Kia Lorice
Founder • Author • Advocate • Future Wellness Coach
The Dual Diagnosis Diaries 💜
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