Resolutionaries Unite

It is that time of year, the time where you stumble over broken or flailing resolutions. The problem with making resolutions is that often we make them based on what we think we should be doing. For example, we know people expect us to put our health first, so we resolve to lose weight or eat healthier.

Less than 10% of the population will keep those resolutions for a full year. If you factor in chronic illness, that number will drop to a shocking 4% on average. While no one has been able to prove this, I believe part of the single-digit number has to due with all the things we think people expect us to "fix" when we have a chronic illness.

Don't get me wrong I want to be healthy. However, my resolution this year is to listen to my body with compassion. I am going to show kindness to myself this year. If I feel my energy falling, I am going to take a much-needed rest. I am letting go of the unrealistic expectations of keeping up with my healthy friends and peers.

You may think that this is a lofty resolution, and to a degree, it is for me. I know I won't achieve it without some stumbles and false steps. However, I also know that if I stop and listen to my body instead of trying to push it to be healthy, I will have better outcomes.

As a community, we have an incredible opportunity to support and encourage each other honestly and fairly. I cannot wait to see how far we come as a community of compassionate, understanding individuals who are living amazing lives with invisible illnesses.