Quotes That Help Me Cope With Psoriasis

When living with a chronic visible condition like psoriasis, it can be easy to feel discouraged, isolated, and depressed. I've lived with psoriasis for almost three decades, and for most of my life, I suffered from the condition as opposed to thriving with it.

Finding comfort in coping through quotes

It doesn't matter if you are newly diagnosed or have lived with this condition for years, the toll it can take on your self-esteem and quality of life is all the same. I find comfort and strength in this condition through helpful and inspiring quotes, I'm eager to share them with you here.

Everything will work out in the end

As much as I use to hate psoriasis, it has afforded me some great opportunities for my personal growth, career goals, and friendships. Some hate the idea of considering a chronic illness as a "blessing" (which they are entitled to), but from my perspective, I have experienced a silver lining of living with this disease.

"Everything is working out for my highest good. Out of this situation, only good will come. I am safe." -Louise Hay

There were nights I cried due to psoriasis, where I hid in shame, and hated myself. Now I'm empowered. All those hurtful moments I experienced with people who were insensitive about my disease are now the very things I use to encourage others. I encourage others to live authentically and to help raise awareness about the ignorance of chronic illness.

Anytime I have a hard time, I look back at how awful life was with psoriasis and now years later, the positive impact it has had on my life. I truly believe everything is working out for my highest good, even the bad.

Finding love and acceptance for myself with psoriasis

The Four Agreements is one of my favorite books. The below quote opened my eyes to my self-rejection. I realized that due to my psoriasis, I was looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places because I had not yet accepted and found love for myself.

"We have the need to be accepted and to be loved by others, but we cannot accept and love ourselves. The more self-love we have, the less we will experience self-abuse. Self-abuse comes from self-rejection, and self-rejection comes from having an image of what it means to be perfect and never measuring up to that ideal. Our image of perfection is the reason we reject ourselves; it is why we don't accept ourselves the way we are..." -Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements

It wasn't until I learned how to accept myself as is that I began to feel self-love. It's a long process that I'm still working through in my personal life. I had an image of what life was supposed to be, including my physical appearance and lifestyle, which didn't match up to the reality of my existence; hence I rejected myself.

Now, I strive to love "Alisha," I use self-compassion, I'm in therapy, I advocate for myself, I don't expect perfection. Additionally, I no longer regret unfavorable results (aka mistakes). I look at every moment as a learning opportunity.

Learning to be gentle and kind to myself

Another one of my favorite books, The Untethered Soul, is an excellent read to self-discovery and how to manage self-conflict. I use to be outright mean to myself with negative thoughts, harsh words, and hard internal criticism. I was never gentle with myself.

"How would you feel if someone outside really started talking to you the way your inner voice does? How would you relate to a person who opened their mouth to say everything your mental voice says? After a very short period of time, you would tell them to leave and never come back. But when your inner friend continuously speaks up, you don't ever tell it to leave. No matter how much trouble it causes, you listen."
-Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

I was in an emotionally abusive relationship with myself. My thoughts were composed of regrets that lead to self-sabotage. I am learning to control my thoughts, which I manage through meditation, affirmations, and deciphering the truth versus my feelings (feelings aren't fact).

If the feelings are reoccurring or negatively impacting my relationships, I take them to my therapist, and we work to dispute them or to find solutions. I am no longer my biggest enemy; I am truly my best friend.

What quotes or stories help you cope with psoriasis?

Have you read either of the two books I mentioned? What are your favorite quotes that help you maintain a stable mind during a difficult time? Share in the comments.