This is such a thoughtful piece. I believe you're a voice for many, many people -- and not just those who have a chronic or acute health condition, or even someone like me who doesn't but is over age 60. We can't forget the lessons learned during the pandemic, although it seems like many people and government leaders already have.
<3 Yes! It's not just those of us with existing health conditions. What about people who are older? People with precarious work conditions who literally can't afford time off should they get sick? People with caring responsibilities? I feel like governments are just willing to sacrifice our lives.
What you’ve written here is thoughtful and very relatable. This time of transition has been awkward, uncertain and continued to be lonely (at least for me). Living with a chronic illness and the uncertainty of how I’ll be affected by the virus drives many of my daily decisions. This adds to the exhaustion. I really appreciate the teaspoon analogy you shared. I often think of chronic pain/illness as a jar being filled up throughout the day. The teaspoons sum up my days perfectly! At the end of the day, hearing you’re not alone and that someone understands is a gift so thanks, Rachel!
Massive hugs, Deb. Gosh I relate to what you're saying, especially the part about how worrying/wondering about how you'll be affected by the virus, and making decisions around that fear, only adds to the exhaustion... which is not what we need. I also think 'awkward' and 'uncertain' sum up my experiences, too. Thanks for sharing what you've been going through. I definitely think that connecting to other people who feel this way helps, especially because it it often feels like we're alone. Lots of love <3
Hi Rachel, thanks for this article (I really don’t think it needs an edit!) and opening a window for your condition and this reality. As I read it and feel your vulnerability I can only imagine people and friends being touched and becoming more understanding. I hope I’m not wrong. All the best, Orit
Thank you, Orit. I'm touched that you read my essay (and think it's okay as is!). I do hope that sharing will lead to more empathy and understanding, too.
This is such a powerful and beautifully written piece! I teared up a little at the end. It provides a very vivid and relatable insight into the realities of CFS and made me reflect on several things I'd never considered in my own attitude towards Covid.
The spoons metaphor and your description of the nagging capitalist voices really really hit home for me. This is something I've struggled with a ton in my journey with depression and (long-undiagnosed) ADHD as well. Some days I barely have the mental bandwidth to remember how to brush my teeth... and yet I feel guilty and inadequate for not being productive and feel like I need to deliver something at the end of the day in order to "deserve" some rest and relaxation. And the worst is that this negative self-talk just drains you even more.
I think part of the solution is exactly what you're doing here... being open, sharing the ugly realities with others, raising awareness and empathy and helping those with similar experiences feel validated. Thank you for your courage in being vulnerable. <3
Thank you so much, Anna, your words mean a lot to me. I've actually been thinking about writing about negative self-talk, and I think that so much of those voices are this weird overlap of capitalism and ableism. And even though we have different conditions, it sounds like a lot of the emotions we experience are shared. I appreciate you being open, too! It goes both ways. <3
This is such a thoughtful piece. I believe you're a voice for many, many people -- and not just those who have a chronic or acute health condition, or even someone like me who doesn't but is over age 60. We can't forget the lessons learned during the pandemic, although it seems like many people and government leaders already have.
<3 Yes! It's not just those of us with existing health conditions. What about people who are older? People with precarious work conditions who literally can't afford time off should they get sick? People with caring responsibilities? I feel like governments are just willing to sacrifice our lives.
It sure seems that way.
What you’ve written here is thoughtful and very relatable. This time of transition has been awkward, uncertain and continued to be lonely (at least for me). Living with a chronic illness and the uncertainty of how I’ll be affected by the virus drives many of my daily decisions. This adds to the exhaustion. I really appreciate the teaspoon analogy you shared. I often think of chronic pain/illness as a jar being filled up throughout the day. The teaspoons sum up my days perfectly! At the end of the day, hearing you’re not alone and that someone understands is a gift so thanks, Rachel!
Massive hugs, Deb. Gosh I relate to what you're saying, especially the part about how worrying/wondering about how you'll be affected by the virus, and making decisions around that fear, only adds to the exhaustion... which is not what we need. I also think 'awkward' and 'uncertain' sum up my experiences, too. Thanks for sharing what you've been going through. I definitely think that connecting to other people who feel this way helps, especially because it it often feels like we're alone. Lots of love <3
Hi Rachel, thanks for this article (I really don’t think it needs an edit!) and opening a window for your condition and this reality. As I read it and feel your vulnerability I can only imagine people and friends being touched and becoming more understanding. I hope I’m not wrong. All the best, Orit
Thank you, Orit. I'm touched that you read my essay (and think it's okay as is!). I do hope that sharing will lead to more empathy and understanding, too.
This is such a powerful and beautifully written piece! I teared up a little at the end. It provides a very vivid and relatable insight into the realities of CFS and made me reflect on several things I'd never considered in my own attitude towards Covid.
The spoons metaphor and your description of the nagging capitalist voices really really hit home for me. This is something I've struggled with a ton in my journey with depression and (long-undiagnosed) ADHD as well. Some days I barely have the mental bandwidth to remember how to brush my teeth... and yet I feel guilty and inadequate for not being productive and feel like I need to deliver something at the end of the day in order to "deserve" some rest and relaxation. And the worst is that this negative self-talk just drains you even more.
I think part of the solution is exactly what you're doing here... being open, sharing the ugly realities with others, raising awareness and empathy and helping those with similar experiences feel validated. Thank you for your courage in being vulnerable. <3
Thank you so much, Anna, your words mean a lot to me. I've actually been thinking about writing about negative self-talk, and I think that so much of those voices are this weird overlap of capitalism and ableism. And even though we have different conditions, it sounds like a lot of the emotions we experience are shared. I appreciate you being open, too! It goes both ways. <3