Living with Chronic Illness & Pain: Grief, Waves, & Finding Joy Again

Nothing prepares you to live with chronic illness and chronic pain. Nothing.

Along with the emotional weight of chronic illness and pain comes grief. And it’s the kind of grief that’s often misunderstood and relentless. Because there is no closure—no wrapped-in-a-bow ending.

Because the grief surrounding chronic pain and chronic illness is often ambiguous and unpredictable. It comes in waves—some days like a tsunami, other days like a gentle tide.

Grieving Chronic Illness

Step #1 is learning how to withstand the waves of grief. It’s allowing yourself to notice the feelings coming up to the surface—allowing yourself to feel instead of numbing out, dismissing, or shutting them down. It’s learning to say this where I am without judgment.

Step #2? It’s learning to build a life you love on the shore—even if your health doesn’t improve. Even if it gets harder.

You Can’t Stop the Waves—But You Can Learn to Live Alongside Them

Just like the ocean, you cannot stop the waves of grief. But you can learn to welcome them and sit with them. And slowly, over time, you may find a sense of peace, purpose, and even joy along the shore of this life you didn’t choose.

You're Not Alone in This

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Hi, I’m Lindsey—a mental health therapist who specializes in chronic illness and pain. My own experience with chronic illness and pain has deeply informed the work I do. I know how isolating and heavy it can be to carry this weight alone.

If you’re looking for mental health therapy for chronic pain or illness in Missouri, I offer virtual sessions through telehealth. Let’s talk about how therapy can support you in your journey.

👉 Book your free 15-minute discovery call today at www.lindseymanntherapy.com.

You are not alone.