Chronic Illness Takes A Toll On Self-Esteem

I don’t know about you, but I’m not the same person I was before my illness.

The years of searching for a diagnosis, dealing with symptoms, pain, fatigue, and management of medications and supplements can leave you feeling so trapped. It can easily take over your life.

#ChronicIllness can chip away at your self-esteem. Here are a few things to help! #mentalhealth

Here’s a look at a few of the things that can chip away at your self-esteem and a few thoughts on how you can improve these areas.

Did you have to give up a career/job due to illness? Try to find a new hobby. Give yourself something new to focus on and work towards. This was truly hard for me. I didn’t even realize how much of my value I was placing on my career. In order to stay connected with others and feel productive, I began blogging. It’s something to keep me moving a bit and gives me an area where I can learn and grow as a person.
Is a relationship strained? If it’s due to a lack of support, try talking to the individual and give them information on your illness. Help them to understand the effect the symptoms have on your life overall. If things do not improve and the relationship continues to pull you down, you may have to step back and limit the connection with that person.
Are you experiencing new financial burdens? While you’re stuck sitting around more, try to find some blogs that promote thrift and money-saving advice. I personally follow moneysavingmom.com and livingwellspendingless.com. Both offer great tips regarding home finance and life in general. Take up couponing as a hobby. Look at sites like hip2save.com for sales on items you need or can give as gifts.
Are you unable to participate in family activities? Try to stay connected with family and friends through social media and texting as much as possible. You’ll feel more connected. When you are able to attend, go ahead and go, even if that means you’ll sit on the sidelines and watch. You’ll still be participating and enjoying the company of those you’re with.
Are you having trouble with cognitive functioning? Grab a sudoku app for your phone and work on the puzzles. Studies have shown that brain games, like Sudoku, can help strengthen your brain function. Don’t stress that your memory isn’t what it use to be. Grab a pretty journal and use that as a paper brain. Write down everything you need to do or remember and carry it with you. Here’s another post regarding brain fog that might help.
Do you feel grungy on bad days because you’re laying around in your pajamas? Grab a new set of loungewear that’s pretty or a few pairs of yoga pants. That way you’ll feel more comfortable if someone stops over.

ABOVE ALL:

Remember, even though it may look completely different, you can still have a rich, full life.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Before you were ever created, God knew you would become ill. So the fact that you have lost certain abilities is not a surprise to Him. He designed you with special gifts and talents you can use, even through a chronic illness. You may feel less productive and able than before – and that may be true. However, you cannot base your self-worth on what you were before. Base it on WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST.