Have you ever made plans and caught yourself thinking, “I hope I’ll feel up to it by the time this comes around”? Living with chronic illness can mean living with uncertainty. You might not know how your body will feel next week, or even by the end of the day. It’s completely normal if that uncertainty feels overwhelming, frustrating, or even scary at times. Let’s talk about ways to make those feelings more manageable.
When a lot is going on, it’s easy to get caught up in things outside our control. Sometimes, we need to slow down. Take a breath and re-evaluate where you want to focus your energy. Your locus of control might include following your treatment regimens, focusing on school or extracurriculars, communicating your needs, or resting when your body asks for it. You may not be able to control every symptom or variable, but you can control how you respond and how you move forward.
You could try:
Creating a diagram of your worries and dividing them into what you can and cannot control
Making a priority list of what matters most to you right now
Creating a plan to address what is within your control
Drawing a “choice map” to help you reflect on and work through stressors.
When your body changes, your plans might need to change too. Flexibility doesn’t mean you don’t care about spending time with others. Often, the hardest part of honouring your needs is the guilt that can come with it. Remember: no one can be perfectly available for everything. Being flexible with yourself means you are listening to
Consider:
Creating a Plan A, B, or even C based on how you might feel physically and emotionally
Grounding yourself in small, steady routines
Packing a “just-in-case” kit with items that help support you during unexpected moments
Plans shift. Unexpected things happen. That’s a normal part of life. We don’t need to solve tomorrow’s problems today, and we can’t predict exactly how everything will unfold. What we can do is celebrate our wins- even the small ones. You may not control every symptom or every set back, but you can choose your next step. And you can remind yourself, again and again:
You are allowed to build a life that works with your body, not against it.
By, Elysia, Upopolis Intern 2026