Life with an invisible illness presents many challenges.
For me, one of the biggest challenges is an extreme sense of isolation.
At 19, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.
Courtesy Nitika Chopra. Design by Bella Geraci
Completing ordinary tasks was difficult, if not impossible.
On a scale of 1 to 10, there were years when my pain was at 15.
But from the perspective of people who saw me from the outside, they would never know.
I was a young woman with a big smile and a bright personality.
People would say, “Why are you limping?”
or “How come you’re so tired all the time?”
For years, I lived in fear of being gaslit or shot down; disbelieved and misunderstood.
Many chronic illnesses have historically been shrouded in mystery or stigma.
More understanding and awareness is needed.
I felt so alone.
Because of this, I shut people out.
I retreated further into myself, simply trying to make it to the other side of pain and suffering.
As I focused inward, I started to work on self-acceptance.
How can I have more compassion for my body in a way that helps me move forward?
And what do I truly want my life to look like?
After some time, I realized there was only so much I could do by myself.
So I sought out a great therapist and a medical team to support me in my growth.
Self-acceptance begins as an individual journey.
You have to do that messy inner work first to get to the magic of self-discovery.
But you shouldnt be stuck there alone, paused at the discovery stage.
So many of us with chronic illness think our journey is meant to be solo.
But the breakthrough the next level of growth happens when we bring someone else into the journey.
I met a few friends from different communities who supported and accepted me.
Their acceptance and support deepened my own self-acceptance and self-love.
Thats why I createdthe Chronicon community.
Being part of a trusted community allows you to go from just surviving to learning how to thrive.
Her self-compassion reminded me to also be kinder to myself during a high-pain day.
Community offers irreplaceable support and encouragement that you cant get by yourself.
Living the life of your dreams is not meant to be done alone.
Find your people, and go there.
