When you have a chronic illness, especially an 'invisible' illness, it can be difficult for the people in your life to understand your limitations.
Things you once did without a thought become difficult decisions: Do I make the bed? Can I run that errand? If I make dinner, can I clean it up?
You know that your energy is finite, there is only so much you have to work with each day. And everyday there are tough choices to be made.
Pushing past your limits? Well, it's an option...but by doing so, you risk making your illness worse.
If you are having trouble communicating with your friends and family what it is like living with illness, living with limitations, I highly recommend that you read and share Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino.
In this story, Christine finds a poignant way to explain to her friend what it is like living with Lupus. Reading it brought me to tears. I think it should be required reading for the friends and family of anyone with chronic pain/chronic illness.
