Another Psoriasis Journey: Can Gratitude Be Your Companion?

I'm only a couple of months away from having this disease for six decades. That's right - 60 years I will have lived with psoriasis infiltrating my life.

A realistic look at gratitude

Those who live with this condition - are you still finding it hard to stay positive and hold onto gratitude? Living with psoriasis is a journey and you can’t always be bright and happy. There will be moments where you feel down. That's part of being human and getting overwhelmed by living with something you didn’t sign on for.

Here’s a small guide on how to make gratitude your companion on your psoriasis journey.

It can be difficult...

Gratitude is the strongest weapon in your arsenal. When you're in a flare, it might be difficult to practice gratitude. Even though inflammation, which is the source of psoriasis originates inside your body, its most prominent sign is on the outside. This is for everyone to witness, or even worse judge us.

Now, I won’t flood you with toxic positivity. The psoriasis journey requires you to take things one at a time, especially your feelings.

Put them in perspective, how hard you try, how far you’ve come, and how much you’ve struggled. When I look at all those things, I personally feel grateful for all the strength I’ve been given over the years.

Tips for practicing gratitude

When I find some extra strength - I choose to use it to inspire others. To inspire gratitude among others. Well, now if you find it hard to be positive, you may be wondering what I’m on about. It’s all really a matter of perspective.

Here are two simple ways you can incorporate gratitude into your life with psoriasis. Gratitude has been the best companion throughout my psoriasis journey. I hope you can learn a thing or two from me about it.

Tiny moments of gratitude.

Put more emphasis on being grateful. Take some time each day to reflect on the positive aspects of your life. Now I’m not saying you must force yourself to be grateful, no way. That would be counterproductive. Just start out by finding a tiny moment to feel gratitude each day until it becomes a habit.

Look for a support system that makes you feel grateful. Getting by with a little help from your friends to whom you can open up is key. You need someone you can confide in and assist you in managing your psoriasis treatment.

We all need a strong support system. This can include family and friends who understand how the condition is affecting us. Don't forget about the emotional impact associated with it.

Let’s find joy in small things.

Discover your happiness and seize the moment. Quit waiting for happiness to come for you. Instead, create your own happiness. Do what you enjoy, whether it's going for a long drive or putting your nose in a book that sparks your interest.

Every day do something that makes you feel a little upbeat. Your gratitude is your strength. Psoriasis warriors don't just look at your struggles. Take a moment to be awed by the strength you possess and you will be grateful.

You will truly be in awe and that is something I have discovered that inspires gratitude for me. Of course, this is just my sixty-year journey.