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My Joys and How They Intersect with Chronic Illness

My Joy/RoleHow It Applies to Life with Chronic Illness

1. K-Drama and K-Pop: 

An Escape and Mental Break: These offer a low-impact, entertaining way to de-stress and mentally check out during flares or high-pain days when physical activity is impossible. The vibrant music and engaging storylines provide a much-needed distraction and serotonin boost.

2. Art (Creating/Appreciating): 

Gentle Creative Outlet: Artistic pursuits can be adapted to energy levels. On low-energy days, appreciating art (e.g., browsing online) is possible. On better days, creating art can be a mindful activity that engages the hands and mind without over-stressing joints affected by AS and PsA.

3. Writing (Poetry):

Emotional Processing and Voice: Writing poetry is a powerful way to process the complex emotions surrounding chronic illness, pain, and disability. It turns internal struggles into a manageable, beautiful form of expression, giving voice to experiences that are often invisible to others.

4. Being a Mother:

Motivation and Redefining Capacity: Motherhood is a core motivator for managing your health. It forces you to redefine what "capacity" means. You learn to prioritize, delegate, and find creative, low-impact ways to bond and engage, emphasizing quality time over physical exertion.

5. Owning Animals:

Routine and Unconditional Support: Pets enforce a necessary daily routine (feeding, care), which helps manage the chaotic nature of chronic illness. They offer consistent, unconditional love and comfort, which is profoundly therapeutic during periods of isolation or emotional distress caused by pain.

6. Devoted Wife:

Partnership and Mutual Care: This role becomes a foundation of support. Managing AS, PsA, and Scoliosis often requires open communication, teamwork, and accepting help. Being a devoted wife means nurturing a partnership where you receive care and still contribute love, presence, and non-physical support.

7. Using Canva:

Accessible Creation and Control: Canva is a user-friendly, digital creative tool. It allows you to produce beautiful, professional-looking content (like book covers or social media posts) from the comfort of a chair or bed. It offers a sense of control and accomplishment when your body feels out of control.

8. Spending Time with Friends:

Vital Social Connection: Friends provide necessary emotional validation and help combat the social isolation that chronic illness can cause. They are a crucial reminder that you are more than your diagnoses, offering normalcy and laughter that are essential for mental health.

9. Being Chronically Ill (AS, PsA, Scoliosis):

Perspective and Strength: Your conditions are not a "joy," but the experience of managing them shapes your perspective and resilience. You develop immense empathy, patience, and a deep appreciation for good days. Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Scoliosis is the reality that gives weight, depth, and unique insight to all your other roles and creative pursuits.