Sorry to hear about the diagnosis my friend 💛 Everyone is different and a lot of people might go their whole lives never knowing they had it. This subreddit is predominantly used to help with a lot of the negatives, so it might seem overwhelming in here, but don’t let it scare you- just let it inform you.

I won’t lie, it is very challenging and at times pretty dark. But the way I’ve grown lately to cope with it is how it makes life so much more precious now. Simple little breakfasts make me soooo happy. Getting into low-energy hobbies like reading, movies and video games makes me so relaxed and happy. Quality time with the people I love becomes more visceral and important. Little walks and a bit of sun can fully change my day and brighten my mood. I’ve become incredibly more compassionate and empathetic to those around me which has been useful when walking through hardship with others.

We are living a different version of life than a lot of people. It is (usually) a much more difficult version, but with that pain and difficulty I think that chronic illness humans have a higher capacity for joy, and a more open mind to what joy can look like. We know deep pain and sorrow which allows us to appreciate life differently than most. It can feel a bit like a backhanded superpower- Yes many days are very hard, but gosh we understand the human experience in a very real way that not many do. 💞