Parallels between the Pandemic and ME/CFS

“2020. The year that the world got to experience some of the restrictions, loss and uncertainty that those with ME/CFS have lived with in the shadows, for many, many years.’

If your social media feed is anything like mine, as we approach the end of the year, you will be seeing an abundance of posts saying what a challenging year 2020 has been. And it has. This year has seen a pandemic sweep the world and change life as we know it. I’ve pondered on these posts and the perspective of many. How 2020 has been ‘the worst year ever’.

Many people have experienced what it feels like to have limitations placed on their life, perhaps for the first time ever. People have experienced missing out, missing family, missing socialising, missing travelling, missing working, missing hobbies. Missing their freedom. On top of this, the added unease and uncertainty of not knowing when this will end. When things will get back to normal. For many, it has also meant financial insecurity or the complete loss of jobs and income.

There is no doubting that the pandemic for many, has been awful. Life changing. Frightening even.

The above, is something that people living with ME/CFS have experienced in the shadows for many years. As well as external restrictions such as not being able to work, or for many, leave the house, we have the added experience of living inside a body that presents with suffocating, unpredictable symptoms. Every single day.

If we are lucky enough to be moderately affected (such as I am right now) we may be able to enjoy the freedom of little things on good days, such as a walk or some gentle yoga, but life is very much lived along a fragile tightrope and ‘it’ is always present. Those severely affected, live with even tighter restrictions. A body that cannot sit up or tolerate light. Life is excruciatingly small. Terrifying. Isolating.

Many of us have lost our careers, our ability to work, to provide for ourselves. All of us have experienced missing out. Missing out on SO much stuff. Over the years I have missed weddings, hen parties, holidays, family gatherings, days out, little things, big things, in between things, all sorts of things. It never gets easier.

We can’t enjoy a 10k walk at sunrise, or spend an afternoon working from home, or look forward to life getting ‘back to normal’, luxuries that many healthy people navigating the pandemic can find some comfort in. We don’t know when our struggle will end. Or when life might return to ‘normal’.

When I read how difficult 2020 has been for many, it fills my heart with pride for all of us in the ME/CFS community.

I can’t put into words how many incredible people I have met over the years, through platforms such as this. Resilient. Strong. Courageous. Heart Opening. Wise. Incredible people.

Thank you. To all of you, for inspiring me every single day.

I’m wishing every single one of you a peaceful 2021. A year that is filled with healing, love and lots of moments of newfound freedom.

Emma x

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Disclaimer: This Website and all the information which it contains is based on my own personal experience and health journey which I am sharing for educational and informational purposes only. Please consult your own doctor or healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for you.