Not being well, I find myself returning to quotes that bring me comfort. Maybe that’s my way of grounding myself.  I’m sharing this one because it speaks to where I am.

“Be gentle with yourself; you’re doing the best you can.” – Unknown

If today you also feel heavy, take a breath. You’re allowed to move at your own pace.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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2 comments on “A Reminder to Be Gentle With Yourself”

  1. Yes, that is definitely one of the things I struggle with. Ever since Covid and what I feel were complications from the vaccines, I’ve dealt with physical problems that make it hard to do so many things I once took for granted, like being able to work. I was trying to rebuild my life and finally get back to something normal, but now it feels like the best I can do is make the most out of whatever time and energy I still have.

    It’s incredibly frustrating, especially because I already felt like I missed out on so much earlier in life due to my mental-health issues. Now these new problems make everything feel even more limited. All I can do at this point is hope and pray for a few miracles that might help me enjoy the rest of my life in a meaningful way.

    1. Randy, thank you so much for sharing this. I’m so sorry the last few years have been so hard on you, Covid was a particularly hard time, but for you especially as you were already trying to rebuild your life. It’s difficult when the body feels different and the future feels smaller than it should.

      I don’t have answers, but I do believe we keep finding pieces of meaning, even through our limitations. I hope you get the improvements and support you’re hoping for, and that your life still offers you moments you can hold on to.

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