Getting sick…the worst, right? You can’t breathe out of your nose or your stomach isn’t keeping anything down or your head is pounding and feels like it could explode at any minute. Then what’s next? Next is asking for forgiveness and bargaining! LOL. You are asking whoever or whatever you believe in to please just let you be able to breathe through your nose so you can sleep and that you won’t ever take it for granted again. Does this sound familiar? And then as soon as the week or two passes you are back to your normal self and you go on your happy and merry little way. Life goes on.

I feel ya. I know getting the common cold is terrible, I absolutely hate it too. Really puts a damper on your day.

Fortunately, for most people that is really their biggest inconvenience for most of their life. Maybe they need to have their appendix taken out or break a bone or get the flu and may need to go to the ER to be rehydrated with some IV fluids, but for the most part they are relatively healthy.

Some are not so lucky.

I am one of the not so lucky ones. At least that is how I feel some days.

I grew up full of energy and was not at the doctors much other than for the annual check-ups because luckily, I was not sick very often. I have never broken a bone (knock on wood) or had anything seriously wrong with me that would cause any reason for concern. I was like a lot of people and took that for granted. Freshman year of high school changed all of that for me and let me tell you, girl…I then found myself in the bargaining phase A LOT!

I actually have a separate blog related to my whole story, but the short and sweet version is that I developed digestive problems and landed myself a three month hospital stay, which ultimately turned into a life-altering, chronic disease diagnosis.

Here is the thing, friends. You see people all around you and don’t know anything about them, but you are always making assumptions. It is not the right thing to do, but everybody does it. I do it. I try not to. It’s automatic. You see people on social media and assume that they have their whole life put together. You see reality tv stars and assume everything for them is perfect. I try to make an effort to not assume. Assumptions are not always right. We are actually wrong most of the time. When it comes to somebody’s health, we have no idea what is going on inside their body. We have no idea how that person is feeling. We have no idea what they have gone through. A lot of things are visible on a person; a lot of things are not.

Invisible illnesses. Have you heard of these? I have one. Crohn’s disease is what I have been diagnosed with and so many people think that I look great on the outside, and I do now, but I have been through A LOT that you would never guess. On top of this physical disease, I deal with anxiety on a daily basis. Actually, tons of people around you right now are dealing with anxiety and you may have no idea. You may deal with it yourself and in that case, I know you feel me sister. Do you know what anxiety does to a person?

Anxiety causes every fiber in your body to tense up and overthink. It causes questioning about every move and decision you make on the daily. It influences your outfit choices, your food choices, your decision to apply for that job, whether or not you are going to travel and go on that much needed vacation or just stay home instead. Do you get it? It is more than just feeling a little stressed out.

I say anxiety is an invisible illness because let’s face it…not all anxiety presents itself as an episode of hyperventilating into a brown, paper bag. I mean for some people it can, however I feel like for the most part it presents pretty differently.

Anxiety is not super talked about because those with it are embarrassed by it, me included. We want to feel “normal,” right? Welp, not anymore. Ya girl is done with that. It is so much more common than I thought.

Everybody copes with their anxiety differently. You may be standing next to a coworker having an attack and not even know it. I know that I do a pretty good job of covering myself up if I need to. I have heard so many people say good things about me like, “you are such a hard worker,” “you’re so responsible,” “you are so caring,” “Momma Cait always lookin’ out,” “you’re so cute and positive and I’ll always love you,” and I am not complaining or taking any of those kind words for granted, but most of the time I am receiving those because my anxiety is driving me to work extra hard in fear of failing.

I try so hard to be on the ball at work because I am terrified of screwing up or showing that I am mentally “not in it” today. Ya know what I mean? My family, friends, and coworkers have no idea most of the time and they are just trying to be nice and encourage me by complimenting me, but I am struggling on the inside! Then I give myself more anxiety because people are noticing and have high expectations for me at this point for doing a good job so now I really cannot mess up or let them see my sinking.

I want to make a separate post about how anxiety can present itself, but for now I encourage you to think before you speak. Try not to make assumptions or negative judgements about others. I know it is hard, nobody is perfect. We are all human. If a friend seems off that day, they may not need a compliment, rather might need an ear to listen to them while they vent. They may need reassurance…and they may need it again thirty minutes later…give it to them.

Invisible illnesses are real. Mental health is real. It is a freaking fight some days, oh my goodness. Be gentle. You never know what somebody is going through, I promise. This is a tough world and with everything going on, people are more on edge now than ever. Be grateful for your health, whether it be mental or physical.

XOXO, Cait ❤