Not Better

Every day we see people suffering and we see people offering their best advice. Many offerings are true and genuine, in an attempt to help those who are suffering.

Unfortunately, in our particular society, social media seems to be a magnet for people who offer advice in a condescending manner. Judgements on what the person is doing, has done, or interrogating the person suffering and proceeding to tell them everything they are doing wrong.

I think we could all use a little reminder here:

Just because someone does not need pharmaceutical medications does not mean that they are better than one who does need medication.
Someone who is using natural means to heal is not better than someone who had no relief from those same natural means.
Someone on a specific medication is not making better decisions than someone who relies on acupuncture.
Someone who changed their diet and had results is not better than someone who tried the same diet and did not feel better.
Someone who does not require pain medication is not better than someone who does have to rely on pain medication.

I have never understood this competitive spirit when it comes to illness.
Each person's experience is entirely different. One person's illness will not necessarily behave in the same way as another with the same illness.
No one is better than another for making the best decisions for themselves.

And we need to stop villainizing people who take medication. Seriously.
There are times when we all need to rely on some sort of medication for one thing or another. These people are suffering just as much as the next person and they are simply trying to make their own lives more comfortable.
You're not better for not needing medication. It is possible that your symptoms are, perhaps, less distressing/less life-altering and therefore find enough relief by natural means? But that is also not my place to judge, either.

No one is better than another.
We are all suffering and all just trying to feel better - in whatever way we can.
Can we stop judging each other when it comes to personal choices for their own health?
(I feel very differently about people making certain choices in health that endanger another human being).

Advice is wonderful when it is given with genuinely kind intentions. When it is given with a sense of criticism or with a patronizing tone, it is not helpful.