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There’s more to us than managing symptoms, appointments and energy levels. We also have ideas. Interests. Businesses. Creative projects. Causes we care about. Things we’re building, learning, writing, making or dreaming about. So we’ve created a new Passion Projects space in the community. 💛 This is somewhere you can share something you’re working on that genuinely matters to you — whether it’s already out in the world or still just taking shape. Maybe you’re: ✨ Starting a business ✨ Writing a book ✨ Creating art, music or content ✨ Building a website or community ✨ Studying or learning something new ✨ Raising awareness for something you care about ✨ Working on a personal project ✨ Or quietly nurturing an idea you’d love to bring to life Tell us about it! What are you working on? Why does it matter to you? And is there a way this community could support you? That might simply mean taking a look, following your page, sharing some encouragement, giving feedback, or helping you make a useful connection. And if you’re not working on anything right now, that’s absolutely fine too — come have a look at what other members are creating and give them a little support. ❤️ One of the best things about building a community is discovering just how interesting the people inside it are. 👇 So, what’s your passion project?

One of the biggest losses that chronic illness can bring isn’t always physical—it’s the loss of identity. Many people find themselves thinking: •⁠ ⁠“I don’t recognise myself anymore.” •⁠ ⁠“I’ve lost the person I used to be.” •⁠ ⁠“I just want my old life back.” Those feelings are completely understandable. Illness can change our roles, careers, relationships, independence, and the way we see ourselves. But perhaps recovery isn’t always about becoming the person you were before. Perhaps it’s about becoming someone new—someone who still carries the same values and strengths, but has adapted to a very different set of circumstances. That doesn’t mean pretending the losses didn’t happen. It means acknowledging them, grieving them where necessary, and then gradually asking: •⁠ ⁠Who am I now? •⁠ ⁠What still matters most to me? •⁠ ⁠How can I build a meaningful life within the reality I have today? In psychology, we often think of identity as something that continues to evolve throughout our lives. Chronic illness may change the path, but it doesn’t stop that process. Your identity isn’t fixed, and it isn’t defined solely by your diagnosis. Many of us never return to the life we had before illness—but that doesn’t mean we can’t build a life that is meaningful, purposeful, and deeply fulfilling in its own way. Reflection: What’s one part of yourself that illness hasn’t taken away—or perhaps has even strengthened?

When we talk about adaptation, it’s easy to focus on the big changes. But often it’s the small adjustments that make the biggest difference over time. For example: •⁠ ⁠pacing differently •⁠ ⁠setting clearer boundaries •⁠ ⁠using reminders and notes for brain fog •⁠ ⁠scheduling rest before you need it •⁠ ⁠asking for help sooner •⁠ ⁠simplifying daily routines Many of these changes may seem small from the outside, but they can have a significant impact on how we experience everyday life. We’d love to hear: What’s one adaptation you’ve made that has genuinely helped, even if it seems minor? Your experience may give someone else an idea they haven’t considered.