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captainfantastic

811d

hi! so for my entire chronic illness journey people have called me strong and i'm happy to be strong but sometimes they use that to invalidate me or tell me that having bad days is burdensome for them. how do i find a healthy balance?

Top reply
    • Jadie

      811d

      Oh god I hate being called strong all the time. Its that weird toxic positivity that turns ‘strong’ into ‘anyone with an illness I dont want to know too much about’. I find other people comfort themselves by calling me strong. You do not need to be strong. ‘Strong’ has made me stay quiet in the worst moments when I should not have been. I need times to be vulnerable and it takes a lot so to me opening up is way more important than being considered someone elses strong (which is basically just never bitching about reasonable shit). Im not sure how to find a balance in a situation like yours but I hope you know you are perfectly valid and deserve space where strong doesnt exist.

    • Acacia

      811d

      You dont have to be any type of way, especially if a big part of it is to make themselves feel better. Its okay to not be okay, and tell them to imagine how much of a burden it is for you, fuck them. But i know that’s easier said than done

    • Chronic_Musings

      811d

      Yes!!!

    • Jadie

      811d

      Oh god I hate being called strong all the time. Its that weird toxic positivity that turns ‘strong’ into ‘anyone with an illness I dont want to know too much about’. I find other people comfort themselves by calling me strong. You do not need to be strong. ‘Strong’ has made me stay quiet in the worst moments when I should not have been. I need times to be vulnerable and it takes a lot so to me opening up is way more important than being considered someone elses strong (which is basically just never bitching about reasonable shit). Im not sure how to find a balance in a situation like yours but I hope you know you are perfectly valid and deserve space where strong doesnt exist.

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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