Growing up is tough enough without any added complications. Factor in being sick all the time and childhood gets a little bit tougher. You think that as you get older maybe you will grow out of it. But your hopes slowly dwindle as nothing changes. One thing after another – it just doesn’t seem to ever stop. Whether it is a serious illness that you just try to maintain or little illnesses that spring up every so often, it just never seems to get any easier.

Being sick all the time isn’t just hard on your body but also on your mind. You never know when you are going to be ill so you plan different activities, whether it is a trip somewhere or just to hang out with a friend. Most of the time all your plans need to be cancelled. Cancelling plans over and over again starts to become harder. You start to think, “why me?” On top of not feeling well your optimism starts to decrease. One thing I have learned is that if your positivity starts to decline, you are never going to feel better. Keeping a positive mindset is key.

Sometimes it is extremely difficult to stay positive. Doctors, hospital visits, specialist, and tests and still sometimes there are no answers to why you feel so lousy. Remember that you are your only advocate. At times, you have to rely on yourself. What types of things can you do to try and make yourself feel better? All options are used for a last resort. Whether it is different medicines, diets, exercise, herbal healing, Chinese medicine. Things you would normally never try is now something you consider because your options are running out.

Even though you do not feel well, life doesn’t wait. Lying in bed all day is no longer an option. The real world doesn’t stop just because you do not feel well. You start to get up a little more, maybe force yourself to eat something. Chores that are usually easy for you might take a little longer. Going out of the house is an obstacle all together. You are just mentally and physically drained. Keep telling yourself that this can’t last forever and you have to feel better sooner rather than later.

For me the worst part is that I try to do everything I can to prevent from being sick. I work out every day, I have a good diet, I drink plenty of water, and I stay away from sketchy situations (that could potentially be germy). Still somehow my body just goes “Nope.” This is where your positive mindset has to kick in.

One thing I have learned from perpetually being sick is to never give up. Do not get down on yourself even though sometimes it is extremely hard. Be your own advocate, voice how you feel and do not take “I don’t know” for an answer. If you are feeling sick, there is a reason for it. You can do it, just believe.