How hard is it to love yourself with multiple identities? Exhausting. This month reminded a lot of us how many identities we have to carry with us that constantly put us in survival mode and we forget how to be gentle with ourselves.
That includes invisible disabilities like type one diabetes. I sat down with a fellow T1D and we chatted about self-care practices that help us navigate this autoimmune disease. If you’re figuring out how to love yourself when the world wants to silence you, pull up a chair and join our table. I hope this episode helps you to advocate for yourself more and makes you feel less alone.
Season One, Episode Ten
This month’s podcast episode dives into the pressure of multiple identities but one specifically–the chronic illness. In my case, it’s navigating life with type 1 diabetes. It can be exhausting and sometimes numb. It’s helpful to pull from your rage and activate your voice.
It took me a while to name this shadow of mine, I didn’t wear a CGM sensor for 15 years. (Ask my therapist why.) But part of this blog helped me find a voice and finally talk about it publicly for the first time. Years later, I don’t hide it anymore but I can tell who is uncomfortable with my trauma and when I do recognize that, I give myself permission to walk away because if I’m too much for you, then you’re not safe for me.
Channeling your rage.
Not everyone is going to understand your trauma. Not everyone deserves to know your trauma. What you’ve been through is a privilege of access to your strength. Some might feel safe enough to share, but then you hit a wall, it’s important to recognize your vulnerability. It’s important to honor your inner teen who wants to be seen, but are we telling the right people?
I’m done apologizing or dimming my light for ablist beliefs. The pandemic showed us just how selfish everyone is, but it also built community. Most of my closest friends share some form of disability, and that’s because it’s something you don’t have to explain. There’s a version of you that needs to feel seen and met. The right people will hold all parts of you and not let you dim your light. Trust that they find you when you need them most.
A lovely conversation with Jasmine Brown
As a type-one diabetic, it’s always so refreshing to meet someone who gets it. Jasmine was one of my first diabuddies, and we bonded over jokes about almost dying at the dog park. Turns out you can’t joke about death with the average person. Even my therapist says I think about it more than the average person, so that’s factual data for you.
One of the things that amplifies the whole T1D experience that no one talks about is the mental labor and ups and downs that the disease carries into your day-to-day. The average diabetic makes about 180 more daily decisions than the average person. No wonder we’re tired of explaining ourselves. I hope the conversation inspires you to advocate for yourself in areas that make you feel like you’re doing mental gymnastics just to belong.
Check out S1E10!
Season two is coming soon, but if you need more lovely words to help guide your self-love journey, there are lovely gems waiting for you on the blog.
Whether you’re just starting your self-love journey or you’re in the middle of it, you’re not late or behind. The intent for this place was always to make you feel less alone.
If you’re in the middle of a new life chapter, know that you’re not doing anything wrong or choosing a wrong path. The path you choose will always lead you to where you’re meant to be. Trust the process and give yourself the opportunity to bet on something new, you never know where it will lead you.
The find a lovely life podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube. Check out episode ten!
Catch up on season one!
Episode 23 | Self-Love Check-in: Finding Balance In Your Self-Love Journey – Find a Lovely Life: A Self-Love Journey Podcast
- Episode 23 | Self-Love Check-in: Finding Balance In Your Self-Love Journey
- Episode 22 | How To Work With Your Inner Child In Your Self-Love Journey
- Episode 21 | How To Work With Summer In Your Self-Love Journey
- Episode 20 | Self-Love Check-in: Loving Yourself in Transition
- Episode 19 | Self-Love Tool: How To Work With Winter In Your Self-Love Journey
Leave something lovely