I Am Strong, but I Am Tired

My mom sent me a quote the other day that said: "I am strong, but I am tired."

I shared the quote on Instagram, and my facebook support page as well.

It's okay to be tired with IBD

I also added this caption that I wanted to copy and paste in this article for you to see:

This says it all. We are FIGHTERS! We battle demons EVERY SINGLE DAY in various forms. We PRETEND to be okay more often than not. We do EVERYTHING in our power to be "normal," awesome, productive members of society. We FEEL AWFUL when our bodies let us down, yet we don't have the power to change the situation ourselves. We WORRY daily about our health, the future, and how that will impact our loved ones. We HATE being dependent on others. It PAINS US to have to "recover" from a seemingly simple day out. We have LOST the ability to do certain things we once loved.

I could go on and on. But this quote says it all. "We are strong, but we are tired." Remember you're not alone although I know it feels that way too often. So many others get it and while we know having a good life takes hard work, it shouldn't be THIS HARD. However, you are strong. People who suffer from an invisible, chronic illness are the strongest people I know. It's okay to be tired, though.

Exhausted from trying to be strong

I am sure most of you have heard from other people in your life, "but you are so strong, you can get through this" or something along those lines. And while that is a very nice comment, after going through so much with our inflammatory bowel disease, I always think to myself how exhausted I am from being strong. I wish I could tell the world, "I am strong enough, thank you! I don't need any more challenges thrown my way."

The reason I wanted to share what I had posted on my Instagram and Facebook accounts is because I think it is so important for all of us living with a chronic illness like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, to understand that it is OKAY to be exhausted from fighting.

Crohn's and colitis take a toll on us

That does not make you any less strong or any less of a fighter. A lot of us have had to undergo things most people in this world cannot fathom and it takes its toll. We are often on autopilot with the constant tests, procedures, hospitalizations, and doctor visits.

Being sick in and of itself is exhausting and you are not alone if you are tired from it. Just never give up. Reach out for help if you need, lean on those you know will be there for you, and share with others in our wonderful community – but never, ever, ever stop fighting.

There are so many people out there who have had to live through a war with their disease and are still standing today with an improved quality of life. I know for many of you reading this, you are probably thinking, "Well that is great for them but I am in awful shape and nothing has helped me for years. I don't know how much longer I can do this for."

Sick of being sick

The point is this: It is okay to be tired. It is okay to feel fed up. It is okay to have your doubts that everything will turn out alright. It is okay to be sick of being sick. It is okay to be tired from the emotional toll IBD can take.

It is okay to be wiped out from the mental angst it can put on your friendships and relationships. It is okay to be tired of being in pain. It is okay to be frustrated with doctors and other people in your life not understanding.

IT IS OKAY. You are not alone.