Sometimes I get overwhelmed with trying to defend everything.
Some days I have to defend using a handicapped parking stall when I am 'only' using a cane.
Other times I have to defend not using a handicap parking stall, taking away a regular stall, when I have a handicap parking permit.
I now often find myself defending the fact that I have to rely on medication to help my illnesses be less turbulent.
I find myself defending my diet, my activity level, my skincare products, basically anything that I do that HELPS me is something - I find myself defending.
Why does it always seem that we have to defend every decision we make? Why can't we stop judging each other and give others the benefit of the doubt: that we are each doing everything we can to function with as little pain/struggle as possible?
If you have found a system that works for you - go with it. Do not let the judgement of others take away from the positive steps you have made for yourself.
And as long as we can stop pushing or badgering our own system onto others, it can all work. We need to build each other up instead of assuming that someone is ill or experiencing symptoms because they did something wrong.
I rely on several medications to feel remotely decent.
You may rely on natural remedies so that YOU feel remotely decent.
Just because our approaches are a little different does not mean either of us are choosing the 'wrong' path. There should be no judgement there.
I eat whatever causes the least amount of pain while giving me the best source of energy - which includes meat and carbs.
You may be a vegan, you may be on the paleo diet or the anti-inflammatory diet, a plant-based diet, or following a specific regimen. I do what works for me, you do what works for you, and we should both be happy for one another that something is working.
And when either of us has a flare-up or a bad week - we need to STOP thinking/saying that it's because one person is not doing the same thing as another.
Most chronic illnesses have a complete mind of their own. They respond differently in every individual case. They present differently. The symptoms vary in experience and severity. There is no cure-all. There is no universal diet that can put every person with the same disease into remission.
We are all in this together - so let's share tactics without judgement. Let's share information without condescension. Let's build each other up and recognize the strength it takes to go through life with chronic illness with smiles on our faces!