“Living With Chronic Illness And Pain” by Judith Mary Rose

This painting truly invokes the feelings of what it is to be housebound with severe chronic pain, with complex chronic illness, disability and rare disease. The isolation, the world we long to join viewed through a window, with us ever separated, ever thwarted, ever aware of our dreams that now lay cast across the floor.

This emotional pain adds to the physical — at every age — though especially when young, for we grieve both the life we lost and so much life we will never have, from the career we worked so hard for before it began or barely began, and such simple human joys so many may take for granted.

While immense wisdom can stem from this equally immense sadness and truly indescribable experience (unless you have lived it), it is essential to allow yourself to grieve, to give yourself compassion, to address these vast and frequently oppressive and complex feelings.

Acknowledging just how hard it is, allowing us to feel what we feel, and giving ourselves the space and grace to too. For even in circumstances such as these, we are so often hard on ourselves, even blame ourselves or mentally scold ourselves, despite none of this being our fault.

Finding ways to release these feelings too — especially through art and creativity in every form — can be so deeply healing, on so many levels. Also acknowledging your own innate strength, by virtue of reading this at all, you are strong, and have already survived so much. While also finding ways to be gentle on yourself, kind to yourself and supportive, especially when loneliness is exacerbating all else.*

*For this I do have a teeny announcement (she says, currently floored by the fiercest flare!), but capricious conditions aside, the instant I escape this, sharing something beautiful that I hope will bring hope and joy and connection to fellow warriors too. 🤍

Here’s what the artist said about the piece:

“The picture represents the isolation and imprisonment those of us with chronic pain and chronic illnesses feel. We see and hear what the outside world is offering but we are tied to our homes and our diseases. We are often unable to take part in any activities outside our sickroom. This leaves us feeling sad, depressed, hopeless, and helpless.”

Resources for Chronic Illness and Pain Warriors:

The Isolating Loneliness of Chronic Pain and Invisible Illness

How to Cope When Chronic Pain Creates Anxiety with Tools to Calm and Soothe

Tools to Cope with the Stress of Chronic Pain and Illness and Manage Unhelpful Thoughts and Difficult Thinking

How to Cope with Extended Flare-Ups and Setbacks of Chronic Pain and Complex Chronic Illness