Wholistic Jen

By Jennifer Whitmire , MS, MEd, MH, CHES, NEP

Living with a chronic illness feels like carrying an invisible weight. It seeps into every aspect of life—how we feel, how we relate to others, and even how we see ourselves. It’s a constant companion, casting shadows even on the brightest days.

On the outside, we often look “normal” but we may actually feel pretty bad. Some days there’s a lot of physical pain and discomfort, some days we feel hopeless and bleak, but some days you actually feel “normal.”  There are a lot of ups and downs. 

Most people who have not experienced a chronic illness don’t understand why we can’t suddenly change plans, why we are suddenly “lazy” today, or why we were able to go out and do things yesterday but feel too bad today. It can often feel really lonely and frustrating.

Finding Light in Gratitude

In my own journey, I’ve stumbled upon something quite powerful—gratitude. It’s become a lifeline, a way to pull myself out of the darker moments. Gratitude doesn’t ask us to pretend everything is fine; instead, it nudges us to shift our focus.  When we look around, we really do have a lot to be thankful for.  I have my own house, clean water, a full fridge.  I have family and friends who I can call for help or just a friendly chat. Sometimes, just taking a moment and thinking about all I have to be grateful for is just the distraction I need.

Climbing Up When We’re Down

On those days when the darkness starts to creep in, I allow myself to feel the feels, but then I reflect on what is good about today. What is good in this moment. It’s about consciously choosing to notice the simple things—a breath of fresh air, the touch of sunlight, the kindness of a loved one. These seemingly small acknowledgments become the steps that lead me out of the depths.

When I haven’t been doing the “things,” the self-care and the slowing down, I easily go back into a flare.  I have found that there are days where I can easily slip into the darkness.  I don’t feel good.  I feel alone.  I wonder why I can’t just jump out of bad and do what I want to do like everyone else.  I feel like I’m being punished for something.

I can stay in bad and feel sorry for myself, or I can get out of bed and hide my pain and sorrow.  Sometimes I do both.  

I can lay there and feel the feelings, and I think that’s a good thing. Recognize how you feel.  Listen to your body and see if it’s asking you for something. (I know this sounds so woowoo, and it took me a long time to learn to listen.) Where do you feel the pain or tightness?  Can you settle into it, feel it, and let it go?

Joy in Small Moments

Living with an incurable illness has taught me the art of finding joy in the smallest of moments. A warm cup of tea, the beauty of a sunrise (ya’ll know I love my sunrise walks on the beach!), the pages of a good book—these aren’t just mundane activities. They become my acts of defiance, a way to push back against the shadows.

Yes, there are days where I feel awesome!  And most of the time I do feel good, but it took me a long time to get here.  It takes a lot of work!  I won’t lie!  And sometimes I want to eat the cake, I miss giant fluffy cinnamon rolls!  I LOVED baking, and made breads, cinnamon rolls, pizza crusts, etc every single week just 12 years ago.

I can make those things today with ingredients safe for me, but it’s not the same.  I can lie in misery over it, I can give in and eat it, or I can say, “It’s not worth it.”  Eating those things could set me back 6 months.  And I feel so good.  I really don’t want to undo that hard work.

So I look for little distractions.  I can have a warm cup of cocoa.  I can make a grainfree cinnamon roll smoothie.  No, it’s not the same, but it’s delicious and comforting.

I have a loving supportive family.  My family even helps me find delicious recipes, and they even surprise me with delicious little treats.  I am very blessed.

Gratitude as a Daily Practice

Gratitude, for me, is not just a concept; it’s a daily practice. It’s something that I honestly struggle with because it is so unfamiliar to me.  I’m learning to create new habits.

Taking a few minutes each day to jot down things I’m thankful for is slowly becoming a ritual. It’s a conscious effort to celebrate victories, no matter how small, and to acknowledge the strength it takes to face another day.

I have a super cute little journal, and before bed, I write down 5 things that I am grateful for.  I reflect on the day.  What brought me joy today?  What made me smile today?  What made me laugh today?

And, when I’m feeling down, a quick glance at the journal, brings me joy! 

A Beacon of Light

Even in the midst of pain and uncertainty, there is still light. It’s a lifeline that, when I grasp it, pulls me out of the fog and into the warmth of appreciation.

Navigating Together

I know this journey is tough, and sometimes it feels like we’re alone in it. But we’re not. There’s a community of warriors, each with their own battles and triumphs. And in this community, gratitude becomes a shared language—a way of saying, “I see you, and I appreciate the strength it takes to keep going.”

As we navigate these twists and turns, let’s not forget the power of gratitude. It’s not about underestimating the difficulties but about empowering ourselves to face them with hearts full of thanks—ready to heal.

Thank you for being such a wonderful community full of love and support!  Thank you for supporting me and trusting me with your health.  I love all of my readers, clients, and fellow autoimmune warriors!

Are you struggling with feeling tired all the time, weight gain, and not being able to focus? 

It’s time to reclaim your energy and put your dancing shoes and/or hiking boots back on.

 We use “Somatic Trauma Energetics” sessions to release stored emotions, reduce stress and anxiety and get out of survival mode.

Rediscover the joy of living through physical, mental and emotional healing.

 Say goodbye to burnout and overwhelm and embrace a life filled with vitality and happiness. To schedule a time to discuss whether this technique is right for you, click here.

**SEO Words: #GratitudeJourney, #ChronicIllnessLife, #FindingJoy, #NavigatingTogether, #LettersOfStrength, #HealingWithGratitude, #InnerLight, #CommunitySupport, #FacingShadows, #ThankfulHeart, #Gratitude, #AutoimmuneJourney, #MentalWellBeing, #ChronicIllness, #Resilience, #GratitudePractice, #PositiveMindset, #Recovery, #InnerStrength, #HealingJourney**