Living A Full Life

It is 100% possible to live a full and happy life with psoriasis. Will it be easy, probably not, but it is always worth it. You are worth it and you deserve to live a good life. In spite of the cards that have been dealt to you. You deserve joy and pain-free days, you deserve time spent with the ones you love and appreciate most. A full life has a lot more to do with mindset and effort than what I care to give it credit for some days. Mostly it is because that means I need to step it up big time for myself. I am self-aware enough to know this is why, I know that it means I need to show up for myself and while that is very easy to do for other people, it is not so much for me.

Show up for yourself

What does it actually mean to show up for yourself? When we do it for others it means we literally are there for them, we hold space, make tea, and hold their hand. Help them get to the doctor's appointments and make sure that they know they are loved and cared about. We respect their choices and their boundaries and simply put we show them kindness and we are there for them, we don't give up on them. Even if we are not sure what we can do to help when we get there, we show up.

So maybe it is now time to do these for yourself too. Treat yourself with kindness and respect. Keep an eye on what you eat and make sure that you are feeding your body the nutrition that it needs to do what it must. Make sure you go to your doctor's appointments and your therapy. Do the follow-up calls that you need to, make your needs important and care for yourself the way you would your best friend.

Find joy again

Psoriasis can be very heavy to carry and can quickly become all-consuming. While it is a part of who you are, it is not all of who you are. It is important to find joy again, look for things that spark joy. It is a different thing for all of us, it might be a hobby, our family, our lover, traveling, or even helping animal welfare. Do more things that bring you joy. Schedule them in and make time for them, it is essential to your well-being.

Take things with a pinch of salt, or two

There is unfortunately always going to be someone who has something to say about psoriasis, whether they show their disdain where we can see it or not. Some people are brave enough to utter nasty words out loud and others at least have the decency to shush about it. Something that life has taught me, there is always someone who has something to say about something. Water off a ducks back my friends, smile wave and carry on. Do not allow the opinions and nastiness of others to get you down. I know that this is sometimes easier said than done. It grows over time.

I used to get so riled up, and I realized that their comments come from a place of ignorance and it was not mine. Wear short sleeves and short pants, and wear that summer dress. Mostly you will encounter kindness and as for that 10% of people who have something to say, in the wise words of Elsa: "Let it go". People who have something nasty to say about my psoriasis are not the kind of people who I would want in my life anyway. So do not give them any power over you.

You are wonderfully made, just the way you are.