Chronic hidden illness is being trapped in a body that appears functional but makes life frequently impossible to fully enjoy and occasionally quietly miserable, while being incredibly difficult to truly explain to people who don't have personal experience of existing like that.

Would just love to be able to enjoy things like Christmas again without the pain or nausea or being careful about food, or in less COVID-y years, worrying about having to bail on plans or feeling unwell and having to rest or leave. Miss being truly, fully, boringly comfortable.

Hate talking about invisible chronic illness because I don't want it to become part of me more than it is already, but I didn't understand it until I had it, or that chronic means ALWAYS there, whether as a low hum or a huge flare. You can seem fully functional and be suffering.

Just a big, futile moan during a bad few days, and have tried everything so no advice wanted, regardless of best intentions. Just frustration, stuck between fighting and accepting it, and wish invisible illness was better understood, without the pressure to hide how hard it is.

Last thing, but a huge part of hidden chronic illness is the fear - that it'll get worse, of not being able to reach your goals, of pushing people away or losing opportunities. Pain is already impacting how much I can draw, and the thought of losing that kills me. Stick with us.