Psoriasis Emotions: Its Okay, to Not Be Okay

Today has been one of those days. Those days that has me reaching for the junk food of chocolate cereal and milk at 9PM. You know the kind of junk food, the type that feeds your soul and not your hips. It's more than just one of those days, it has been one of those weeks.

Surviving your worst days

My winter flare is in full swing. My joints and tendons have been screaming profanities at me every day and that really is just not acceptable. My skin, refusing to be taken out of the spotlight has stepped up the game too.

New spots on my scalp and on elbows look like they have not seen moisturizer for at least 7 years, in truth it has only been seven hours. You guys, I am beat. And you know what? that is okay. It is one hundred percent okay to not be okay. If you are reading this and feeling seen, this is for you.

The day when everything hurts

Do you know what days I am talking about? The ones that feel they will never end. When your morning ritual turns into a scene from a series of unfortunate events. Everything hurts from your skin to your joints and filters through to your soul. 

Work seems harder if you even manage to get that far. Your lunch may have chosen to stay home or your child has fallen and hurt themselves. No matter what you do, you just cannot seem to get ahead of this day. I am here to stay that that is okay. Some days these days will turn into weeks, and this too is okay.

Let yourself sit with the negative

I never knew toxic positivity was even a thing. I even had no idea that this was something that was ruling a large part of my life. Somethings you just learn along the way and learn that some things just have no silver linings. Some things are simply put or horrible. There is no positive spin that can be put on them.

It took a great tragedy in my life to see this for what it really was. It can be exhausting to keep trying to find a positive lesson and silver lining in some things. Some things just suck. And it is really okay.

This too shall pass

How to cope on these terrible days? One of my favorites sayings is: "When I stop struggling, I float, it is the law." – Author unknown.

There will be days that go wrong and then go wrong again, they will pass. They might not pass pleasantly or even quickly. But they will pass. Do not force it, do what you can and rest, float on the waves of what life is. Scale down whatever it is that you need to do and for goodness sake, be nice to yourself. 

Put some effort into some self-care, love yourself, and treat yourself the way you would a best friend. So as I sit here in the quiet of the night and eat my chocolate cereal, I remind myself that this too shall pass.

Importantly while you read this, breathe deeply, know that you are not alone and it is okay to not be okay. Reach out, there is always someone on the other end of the line.