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A little self-love goes a long way in seeing your accomplishments for what they are: enough. How to get there? I share tips in my latest column for HealthCentral:

“WHEN LOOKING BACK at your day, your week, and maybe even your year, does a list of all the things you couldn’t or didn’t do roll in front of your mind’s eye like the end credits of a movie? You had plans and dreams and then rheumatoid arthritis (RA) got in the way and now, as you’re floundering in the molasses-slow pace of life with chronic illness, everyone else is zooming forward in their beautiful, accomplished lives. Sometimes, this is how life with RA feels, but what if what’s actually happening is something entirely different? What if you gave yourself more credit for everything you’ve actually done?

Sometimes, my life feels like a constant fight to dismantle my internalized idea of normal. You know the one—the part of you that has opinions, inevitably negative, about not measuring up to what you’re “supposed” to do, whether that’s career trajectory, marriage, home décor, perfecting sourdough bread in a pandemic, all while looking effortlessly beautiful. That inner voice is also certain that if it wasn’t for your RA, you would do it all. I know I’m not alone in wanting to tear my hair out in frustration (except because of my RA, I can’t reach my head and my nasty inner voice berates me about that, too).”

Read my tips on giving yourself credit for everything you do with RA on HealthCentral.