1. Young adulthood isn't what you thought it'd be.
2. Your limits.
The hardest part can be adjusting a new level of capability. At first, chronic illness seems to get in the way of the things you are trying to do and the things you normally do. It can be really difficult to slow down, but in the end slowing down will be less damaging then burning out. You know now that you can get back to a life closer to how yours was before, you just have to be patient and put in the work.
3. How to love yourself, again.
Even if you always had a healthy self-esteem, being new to chronic illness can make you feel disconnected from your body. You can remember how you looked or felt before, but you feel different now. You might even feel like your body has betrayed you. But you know that it's important to take care of your body more than ever. Patience, love, and eventually acceptance will come.
4. How to put up with other people.
5. Going vegan doesn't cure anything.
You've heard all the ridiculous advice there is. Yoga, diets, sleep, drinking water, massage... It's all just money or energy you don't have. Yes, making some behavioral changes might help or prevent irritations, but you've accepted that there is no cure. At least, right now there isn't. People just want to believe the BS they're fed that normal=healthy. You know it's not true, researchers know it's not true, but a lot of people are still going to think it is. They're ignorant and you don't have to feel ashamed or like it's your job to educate them.
6. You're still hot.
7. You're not too young to feel this way.
Being in your 20s doesn't cancel out your chronic illness. Between people not believing your struggles or just assuming you're incapable, it's exhausting. Even if there's no proof to show people of it, your pain is real. All your symptoms are real.
8. Comparing disadvantages isn't comforting.
9. Even on the good days, you're still sick.
There are good days and bad days. You've got to be ready for both, even when they hit you out of no where. These things just can't be controlled. Don't feel like you have to push to do everything on a good day either, you do what you want/can because it's not worth driving yourself into the ground tomorrow over.
10. Bodily functions are nothing to be upset over.
When illness affects your more private activities, that illness can seem really embarrassing to talk about. You've learned, though, that every body is out there talking about their poops and whatnot. They're almost all nasty, so you might as well join them in the acceptance of it.
11. Sometimes you NEED a break.
12. You can't always see what people are going through.
Chronic illness can be so variable in it's visibility. Sit down, use the elevator, drive even if its a short distance. All lot of your symptoms can't be seen. You know you're not lazy, though. Disability/different abilities. You won't let the looks of rude people stop you from doing what you need to do.
13. Not all doctors are as smart as you'd think.
14. This is your life now.
It's going to be okay. You've already been through a lot, so you can handle whatever comes next. You know you're allowed to be upset about how unfair your situation is. You're also allowed to do whatever is necessary to make the most of your energy each day.
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