Tenacious ME

The truth is, life with rheumatoid arthritis can get lonely. Living in a body that doesn't keep pace with the rest of the world can leave you feeling like a constant observer. Always on the outside looking in. Watching other people crush their goals, burn the candle at both ends, and live active lives can lead to some serious fomo.

Over the years we have found a remedy for all that fomo, people who actually understand and are living this rheumatoid life. Connecting with other people with RA reminds us that we are not alone. Sharing our wins and losses, the things that get us through the week, and how we navigate the broken systems we are forced to work with, empowers us to live our best lives.

Join us this Thursday, May 14 at 3pm (ET) sign up in the rheumatoid arthritis national connect group events page, connectgroups.arthritis.org

The glass half full, positive person I appear to be is a choice. It isn't that I don't have depressing thoughts. I have just learned over the years not to cultivate them.

My close friends could tell you, I have plenty of negative thoughts, some truly dark and twisty. A lifetime of life induced anxiety and depression will do that to a person.
My inner critic often pops up to cut me down. It tells me I am lazy, not enough, not trying hard enough, don't fit in, don't really matter...the list goes on and on and on.

Then there is the endless stream of worst case scenarios anxiety brings to the table. If it could go wrong, there is a good chance I've considered it already. Even the really weird things because anxiety paired with a creative imagination is, well, iykyk 😂

The truth is I am always managing my mental health. Reframing has become an Olympic sport in my mental gym. Sometimes it feels like a reflex, other times someone close to me has to remind me. Positivity is a practice. Mindset is something you cultivate, not just a trendy buzzword.

How you talk to yourself matters. It becomes how you see yourself and the world around you. Speak positivity into your life, see what blooms.

If you are struggling with a heavy mental load, I see you, you are not alone. There are tools that will make the darkness lighter. Reach out to a therapist to start building your toolkit. If you are in crisis, please stay, dial or text 988 for a Lifeline.