When you live with a chronic disease like MS and each day can be completely different from the one before, we can lose sight of what is okay or not okay. Acceptance of each day, hour or minute is the only way that I can have any peace in my life. I don’t have to like it but if I dwell on it, I become very irritated and grumpy and that is okay as long as I don’t stay in that space. 

I was talking with my daughter a few days ago about getting stuck in the negativity of chronic illness, which has the ability to control my mental health as well as physical. 

Years ago when I was still working part-time at a very physically demanding job, while also living in a rental before a move, depression got the best of me. My MS was advancing despite receiving medication. I was not taking anything for anxiety or my mental health and I found myself isolating after each workday. This meant going home crying, closing off any light source and laying down with a blanket over my head. How did I not recognize what was happening to me?

Other family members could see it, pointed it out to me and supported me.

Resigning from my job and starting medication turned my life around. 

Now that I understand mental illness, I am not ashamed or judgmental of myself or anyone else that is struggling with it. My okay is not your okay, so don’t ignore the signs.