If I wrote this post a month ago, my post would have started with “Happy New Year!” In the chronic illness community, are we too far into the year to still say that? Since the excess of celebrations and activities during the holiday season often set us back (physically, mentally, or emotionally), our “New Year” often begins a few weeks later…after we’ve recovered.
Many people make New Year’s resolutions or goals for the new year. Many goals are also overly ambitious and unachievable, setting people up for guilt and disappointment when things don’t go according to plan. This happens because we don’t listen to our bodies and try to push through, leading us to crash and burn.
I’ve taught group fitness classes for close to 40 years and each January our fitness center gets a huge influx of people, many with ambitious goals. By early February, the gym begins to thin out because people pushed themselves too hard too fast, didn’t get the immediate benefits they desired, and burned out. Setting ambitious goals, whether professional or personal, gives us long-term vision, but often, only short-term motivation.
Everyone, but especially my chronic illness friends, could benefit from softening their approach to goal setting in the new year…or not setting any at all.
In reality, those of us with chronic illness don’t have the time or the energy to make resolutions or introduce a “new you” for 2025, especially when caring for ourselves is already a full time job. Having “soft” goals allows for the flux of good days and high-symptom days, or days your job/kids/volunteer activities demand more than usual.
Even the Bible warns us not to expend too much time making a living.”It is a waste of time to get up early and stay up late, trying to make a living. The Lord provides for those he loves, even while they are sleeping.” Psalm 127:2
Yet God gives us many promises of His presence and getting rest, the most famous being Matthew 11:28, ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (NIV) (or the Message version below)
“Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Here’s three New Year’s resolutions/goals that are actually helpful—and doable—for people in the chronic illness community.
- Read your Bible and talk to God every day. Sounds simple, but many people, ill or not, don’t find or take the time to do this. God knows and “numbers the very hairs on your head” (Matthew 10:30). You can “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7), and He walks through the deepest valleys with us (Psalm 23:4). Why would you not spend time with Him?
- Find and befriend others who are chronically ill. Dealing with frustrating symptoms can be lonely. One way to cope is to connect with other people who live with the same or similar chronic illnesses. There is no break from chronic illness, but one thing you can do for yourself is to find a community…your “tribe.” You can find support groups on social media, but finding just one person who is walking the same road you are, who understands, who “gets it,” is such a treasure!
- Comfort others who have the same chronic illness. The apostle Paul praises the “God of all comfort “who “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4). If and when you are able, reach out to others who are struggling and answer questions, navigate protocols and medication side effects, comfort them, and just listen.
This year, I hope you appreciate every small good thing you do for your body, mind, and spirit, find a friend to cry about the setbacks, and celebrate every step forward.
HOPE through chronic illness 