19/07/2025
Navigating the Unseen Battle
There's a fine line I walk between sharing my truth and feeling like I’m "oversharing," but sometimes, the weight of a silent battle becomes too much to bear alone. I'm opening up about a deeply personal challenge today, finding solace in the idea that perhaps my experience can resonate with others.
For the past couple of years, my life has been a relentless pursuit of balance: managing renal failure, battling mental fatigue, driving my business endeavors, striving to feel as "human" as possible, and maintaining a household. All of this while operating on an energy tank that often feels empty. It sometimes feels like a cruel trade-off: for every professional and social step forward, there's an unforeseen health hurdle, demanding equal, if not more, attention.
There's a subtle but significant battle in finding the balance between managing a chronic illness and maintaining a near-normal work life. It's a balance I know is possible, yet it often feels incredibly alien. I witness remarkable individuals at my dialysis unit—some arriving impeccably dressed in suits, heading straight to demanding roles after dialysis, and others, like my inspiring "dialysis grandmother," who exude grace and are always slaying, even at 5 AM. Their strength is truly admirable, especially on days when merely getting out of bed feels like an insurmountable task, and my "dialysis uniform" (leggings or joggers and a hoodie) is all I can manage for comfort. All I want to do is sink into my bed after dialysis and switch off the world.
Just this Monday, the sheer exhaustion, particularly mental, brought me to a breaking point where I seriously considered skipping my Tuesday dialysis session. The physical and mental fatigue is pervasive and unpredictable. One day, I can be fully engaged, meeting deadlines with vigor; the next, I'm completely defeated, unable to even look at my laptop or design materials or even cook for myself.
This journey has made me incredibly curious about the experiences of others living with chronic conditions.
•How do you navigate the often-invisible challenges of maintaining a "normal" work lifestyle amidst chronic illness?
•what strategies have you found helpful for managing energy and preserving sanity?
•what forms of support have made a difference for you, or what kind of support do you desperately need?
I believe there's immense power in shared experiences, and I'm eager to learn from and connect with others on this journey. Please feel free to share your thoughts even in my dm
