I live with MS, and I hate it.

If you live with a chronic illness, you understand the struggle of just getting through the tough days. In recent years, I’ve found myself canceling plans and sometimes even ones I was really looking forward to, like my own birthday dinner. It’s frustrating, disheartening, and honestly, sometimes it feels like life is just one long uphill battle.

But even when life feels miserable, we have to push through those dark thoughts and search for a glimmer of hope. There are days when I want to sit in my feelings, feel sorry for myself, and be angry at the world. And honestly, that’s okay. Do it. Feel it. But only for a moment. We can’t let ourselves stay stuck in a mental space that drains us. That space isn’t healing. It isn’t productive and can feel like quicksand.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Life is what you make of it.” And yes, that’s true but how do you actually make that happen? It’s easier said than done. I’m learning, slowly, that I have to train my mind to catch negative thoughts and gently redirect them. It’s hard work. Some days I feel like I’m failing at it. But I keep trying.

Try to focus your energy on things that bring you joy—no matter how small. Let your mind wander, not in worry, but in possibility. And when it gets hard (because it will), just remember: you’re not alone. You’re growing, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.