Being chronically Ill doesn't make you a burden- Chronic illness is a burden on you.

I just wanted to remind you-

Being chronically ill does not make You a burden.

Chronic illness is a burden on You.

Let me say that again for the days when it’s hard to believe it:

Being sick doesn’t mean you are the problem.

The appointments. The meds. The crashes. The guilt.

The way your body whispers “no” even when your mind screams “please.”

That’s not you.

That’s the illness.

Fibromyalgia is a full-time job no one asked for.

It’s invisible pain.

It’s exhaustion that doesn’t sleep.

It's inconvenient and inconsistent in every way.

It covers every part of your life like an invisible blanket.

It’s inflammation, flare-ups, brain fog, and a nervous system that feels like it’s short-circuiting-on and off, without warning.

Sometimes it feels like too much.

And sometimes I’ve believed I was too much because of it...

Or my husband would be better off with someone "Normal"

But here's the truth:

Chronic illness is a burden-on...

•Your body.

•Your mind.

•Your soul.

•Your routines.

•Your dreams.

You carry it every day with a bravery most people never even realize.

So if you’ve ever apologized for being “too tired”…

If you’ve ever felt guilty for canceling plans…

If you’ve ever cried from the pain and then cried harder because you felt guilty for needing help...

Please hear me:

You are not a burden.

You are burdened.

And there is a world of difference.

If anyone felt the pain you carry...just for one day...they’d understand.

They’d understand why something as simple as standing at the sink to wash dishes feels like a mountain.

Why bending over to flip laundry feels like your body is screaming.

Why, on days like today, even getting out of bed and taking a shower feels impossible.

Some days, I push through. I get it done, even when it hurts.

Other days, I can’t. My body says no...and I have to listen.

And that’s not failure. That’s reality. That’s survival. That’s okay

I used to think being strong meant pretending I'm okay.

Now I know it’s letting people in when I'm not.

It's giving yourself grace when the tears come because you can’t show up the way you used to.

"Strong is fighting. It's hard...and it's painful...and it's every day...but it's what we have to do..."

"Be brave; Live"

(My 2 fav Buffy qoutes )

It’s saying: “I need help”

-and not letting shame answer back.

I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but if all you did was survive…

If all you did was rest, breathe, exist…

That is still worthy.

That is still enough.

You don’t have to “prove” your pain or productivity.

You don’t have to fight to be believed.

You don’t have to apologize for living inside a body that asks more of you than most.

Your existence isn’t less valuable because you need more care.

You are not failing.

You are enduring.

And that is powerful.

~Kristen, Unfiltered Xo 💋

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

— Matthew 11:28