Have you ever wondered what a day in the life is like for someone with a chronic illness or disability? How different does their life look like from yours? This linkup aims to answer those questions, as it gathers perspectives from those who live with health conditions. Here what their ‘a day in the life’ looks like!
*Updated 24 Nov 2022: The linkup has an expiry of a year, so I’ve set up a new widget which you can add onto, but still read the previous entries!
Table of Contents
Why Should You Share with Others What ‘A Day in the Life’ is Like for You?
Here are some good reasons to share about your life with chronic illness, pain and/or disability:
- Education. It helps to educate others on what it takes to survive with it. Many aspects may be invisible, because often we only meet people on our best days, not our worst, nor even an average day.
- Community Bonding. Chronic illness can be isolating, and it might help you to feel less alone knowing that others may be going through similar struggles.
- Pain Distraction. There’s no time limit so it’s a fairly low energy activity, and suitable for both introverts and extroverts! It can also be great for pain distraction.
- Help to Create a Resource Centre. It creates a goto repository of information that’s based on personal, real-life experiences. This resource is easily accessible to any member of the public, be it a medical professional, friend, stranger or fellow chronic illness person. That can lead to better communication, understanding, empathy, and/or research material in the long run.
- Gain Perspective. We’re often trapped within our own perspective bubble. It never hurts and may even benefit you, to see what life is like beyond the walls of our own home and lifestyle.
- It’s Fun! It’s always interesting to take a peek into someone else’s life, isn’t it? 😉
Remember there’s no closing date to this linkup, so take all the time you need, then add it when you’re ready! My hope is that you have some fun, read something relatable, and share something insightful here. If you don’t own a blog but still want to participate, let me know and I’ll publish it on mine if suitable.
Why Should You Read About What a Day in the Life is Like for Such People?
- Knowledge & Insight. If you know someone with a chronic illness or disability, be it a family member, friend, colleague or acquaintance, this is a great chance to learn more about the difficulties they face on a day-to-day basis.
- Learning to Provide the Right Kind of Support. As human beings our needs and wants vary from person to person, and those with disabilities or chronic illnesses are no different. Learn what brings them joy or what they find supportive, so you can provide them with the right kind of resources they need, instead of what you *think* they need.
- Self-Reflection & Gratitude for a Healthy Body. Many people with chronic illnesses often look at healthy people with amazement. We wonder how you have so much energy to do what you do every day, even if it feels ‘normal’ to you. I know that I even get envious or angry at times, when I see a healthy person inflicting damage upon their bodies on purpose! This a a great opportunity for some reflection and gratitude for your hard-working, beautiful body.
- Just Because! It’s interesting to take a peek into another person’s normal. You will probably be surprised at how different it is from yours!
How to Participate
- Answer the list of questions below as best as you can, but skip the ones that you can’t. Then publish the post to your blog.
- Add the published URL to this page, by clicking on the blue ‘Add Link’ button below.
- Leave a comment on at least two other blog posts in this linkup. If you like, you can also share your favourite entries to your social media!
- Share this main linkup page to at least one of your social media outlets to help spread the word around.
- Failure to follow these rules might get you blacklisted from future linkups. Let’s keep it fair for all 🙂
Thank you and have fun! Can’t wait to learn more about you and your life 🙂
Q&A: A Day in the Life with Chronic Illness, Pain and/or Disability
- In brief, illnesses and/or disabilities I have.
- Where do you come from? How accessible is your city/town?
- My first thought and/or sensation when I become conscious in the morning.
- How long it takes for me to go from zero to functioning, if at all.
- What my morning routine is like in general.
- Best and worst times of the day in terms of pain, fatigue, etc.
- What I consider a daily self-care must do.
- The household chore I have the most trouble with.
- A task I wish I had more help with.
- The part of the day I like best.
- What’s breakfast, lunch and dinner typically like. Any diet protocols?
- How do I unwind for the evening?
- Are you are able to do any exercise? If so, what do you enjoy and does it help with managing your pain?
- Things that help me de-stress in my every day life.
- If working, how do I keep sane with the work stress? If staying at home, how do I keep sane with the isolation?
- Do you have any pets and how are they are a part of your life?
- People I see most often and my favourite activities to do with them.
- If you got ‘normal people sick’, how much impact does that have on top of things?
- If I could leap out of bed pain free for ONE day within my current environment and circumstances, I would…
- Is there anything else you’d like to share about daily living with chronic illness/disability?
2022 – 2023 “A Day in the Life” Entries:
Previous “A Day in the Life” Entries:
*Note: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on each person’s individual experiences and circumstances. It is not to be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding new treatment protocols.
Other Timeless Linkups: Invisible Cities Linkup: Pros & Cons of Living with Chronic Illness in Your City
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Hi Sheryl – I was hoping to add to this (I know I’m about 2 years late!!!) but I’m seeing a message saying that this link party has ended.
Best Wishes
Sarah
Hi Sarah, thanks for letting me know! It seems I can’t re-open it 🙁 But if you would send me your entry I’ll add it manually and promote it. Thanks so much for participating!
Is this link-up still able to be added to, Sheryl?
Yes it is! It’s an evergreen one, meaning 24/7 all year long! 😀