I so often find inspiration for my podcasts and posts from the things my clients and our chronic illness community say to me and I know that this topic really strikes to the heart of a lot of pain, self doubt and despair that we can feel. 

Those niggling thoughts and self doubts that maybe it is just me, maybe I'm just not doing enough, being too sensitive, or too negative or that everything I'm feeling really is 'all in my head' and it's not that big of a deal.

And if you've ever found yourself feeling this way Friend, then this podcast is made especially for you, because one thing I can promise you, you are not in this alone. 

So make yourself comfy, settle in and have a listen to this podcast and I hope that once you do, you will be feeling a little less alone.

This is because there is a complete lack of understanding about what chronic illness is and what the appropriate and normal human emotional responses to becoming chronically ill are.

Often, currently healthy people mistakenly believe that their health and capability is a direct reflection of their choices, actions and thoughts, rather than something that simply happens to them.

But the reality is that chronic illness and disability can happen to anyone, at any time through no fault of their own and that no one can be guaranteed health.

Yet when we do screw up our courage and try to talk about how we feel and make ourselves vulnerable in doing so, others either dismiss us, blame us, disbelieve us or wrongly think that it's simply an issue of mind over matter or being more positive.

All of that can leave you feeling that it must be a 'you' problem.

That you are just not strong enough or trying hard enough or that everyone else living with your condition is coping so much better than you.

So, lets talk about all of the normal emotional responses to living with chronic illness, what they are, why you feel that way and hopefully, this will leave you feeling a little better in knowing that you are not the only one.