[ guest post ] Staying Positive Despite a Chronic Illness

Good Morning! While I'm away on vacation in Georgia with Hubs and playing with my mommy, I've invited a few of my favorite bloggers to entertain you! Today Kendra is sharing something that has been on her heart for a while now. It's something she and I have talked about on several occasions and it's brought us closer together. Take away Kendra!

Hi everyone, I’m Kenji from Kenji is Here! I am so happy to be taking over Amanda’s blog while she is away! Today I wanted to talk about something that sits heavy on my heart everyday and I am sure there are so many other people out there that are right there with me.

In May of 2014 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was distraught and my world spun around completely. I went through long period of deep depression all while trying to figure out this disease. I was in the middle of turmoil and couldn’t figure out where the exit door was located.

Previously to being diagnosed I was always a happy person. I was always positive and never spoke a bad word. (okay, maybe a few…but who doesn’t) Regardless, my point is that I had never experienced depression, I was not a negative person, and I never lost faith in God. When I was diagnosed and felt the disease start to take over I lost all of who I was. My motivation diminished, my positivity was hard to be found, and depression settled in. 

After a hard couple month’s I felt that enough was enough and knew this wasn’t who I was. I wanted the old me. I didn’t want to be in a slump anymore. I knew I couldn’t break the depression, as this was a side effect of the medication. I knew however that I was a positive person and deep down I was still me..

Keeping positive with a chronic illness isn’t always easy. When medication stop working and your in pain and sick it is extremely hard to put on a happy face and act like everything’s okay. Still to this day it is not easy but I do it. Staying positive during the hard times has helped me immensely. Walking into a doctor’s office with a positive outlook on how things will go will help the end result.

The best thing one with chronic illness can do is to let go and let God. This is not something we can change, it is something we must live with forever. It is a part of us, hence "chronic." Giving it over to God was the best thing I ever did, no God did not heal me but the weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Another thing I found extremely helpful were my friends and family. Having a great support system who understands times are tough can completely change ones mood. Personally, I feed off of other positivity thus having positive people surrounding me aids in my own positivity. Lastly, smile. Simple, so so simple, but so purposeful. When you smile it makes others smile and when you make others happy it’ll make you happy. It’s a complete circle. 

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At the end of the day it’s all about doing what you can to make you happy. Whatever it is that brings a smile to your face, do it because the most important thing when living with a chronic illness is to stay positive.  All we can guarantee is our own happiness and we only live one life so why not make it as best as we can!


Huge thanks to Kendra for helping me out and writing something so important to both of us! I just love Kendra's heart. Want to fall in love with Kendra too?

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