Why I've Been Afraid to Write About Chronic Illness

I started this blog with the best of intentions. I wanted it to be a place where I could share my experiences, my art, and most of all, everything I have learned about being chronically ill and living with CIRS.

And yet, eight months have passed since I posted anything. Why?

I was talking with my mom this weekend as she brainstormed what she might like to write a book about. We've both been drawn to the idea of writing books to share our knowledge and maybe make a little extra cash while we're at it. Despite her decades of experience in the healthcare field, extensive medical education, and years spent caring for me through my illness, she didn't feel comfortable writing about it. She felt that even though she had all this knowledge about health and chronic illness, she couldn't, in good conscience, give blanket advice.

This was a lightbulb moment for me. Previously, I assumed the reason I was having such a hard time posting about CIRS and chronic illness was that I'm a perfectionist and there is just sooooo much to share. While those things are both true, the biggest issue was the idea of blanket advice.

Health is as unique as a fingerprint. There is no one-size-fits-all cure, and every piece of advice should be taken with caution and a grain of salt.

But I don't want to let that stop me from sharing what I've learned. I'm going to do my best to remember:

• Done is better than perfect.

• Knowledge is power.

• Blogging isn't about what you have to offer; it's about what you want to share.

  
  

I'll be returning to the roots of blogging and using this platform as a journal and conversation space for sharing my ideas, thoughts, and hard-earned knowledge in the hope that others will find them relatable, educational, or simply helpful.

Thank you for your patience as I figure this out.

— Cirsy Girl