I was just talking with my mother last evening about this very thing! The emotional and mental and physical labor of putting on the "I'm Okay" face. And the feeling of not being supported by those close to you, who know that you're ill, but if you **look okay** then they will assume you *are* ok. Frustrating!
Great article, Paul. A lot of this resonated with me. I used to, and sometimes still do, feel like I have to talk about some kind of improvement, or my expectation of it, whenever I see someone I haven't seen in months. It's as if I can hear them thinking, 'Surely you can't *still* be ill?' so I feel I have to put a positive spin on it. The reality is, I have no idea whether they're actually thinking that or not.
I was just talking with my mother last evening about this very thing! The emotional and mental and physical labor of putting on the "I'm Okay" face. And the feeling of not being supported by those close to you, who know that you're ill, but if you **look okay** then they will assume you *are* ok. Frustrating!
I love your honesty in this, and previous posts!
Thanks Kristin, it’s exhausting isn’t it!
How did you see into my head?
Yes, it's no picnic.
Great article, Paul. A lot of this resonated with me. I used to, and sometimes still do, feel like I have to talk about some kind of improvement, or my expectation of it, whenever I see someone I haven't seen in months. It's as if I can hear them thinking, 'Surely you can't *still* be ill?' so I feel I have to put a positive spin on it. The reality is, I have no idea whether they're actually thinking that or not.
Thanks, Nick. It's hard work, isn't it? You are so right, we have no idea what they are thinking, so why do I always assume the negative?!
It's so easily done!
So much of this resonated with me as a disabled person. Thank you for sharing your struggles and your experience.