September is Self-Care Awareness Month, and we need to have a conversation about what that actually means when you’re living with MS, lupus, or NMOSD, because it’s not what the internet keeps selling you.

Self-care when you’re chronically ill isn’t a bubble bath and a face mask. It’s canceling plans you wanted to keep because your body said no and not apologizing for it. It’s calling your insurance company for the third time about a medication they keep denying and not hanging up until somebody gives you a real answer. It’s choosing sleep over the dishes and letting the kitchen look the way it looks. It’s telling your neurologist you’re not okay when every instinct you have is telling you to say you’re fine. It’s also the stuff that doesn’t feel like self-care at all. Meal prepping on a good day because you know a bad one’s coming. Saying no to the family event that’s going to drain you for a week. Asking for help out loud from people you’ve trained to think you don’t need it. None of that fits on a candle label, but all of it is the reason you’re still standing. So this month we’re not posting spa aesthetics. We want to hear what self-care actually looks like in your house, on your worst day, with your body. Tell us in the comments. And if you’re tired of being the only person in your life who understands any of this, Beyond ILL is our membership community built specifically for you. Real Talk rooms, daily conversation with women who are living it too, chats that cover everything from motherhood to dating to spirituality to wellness, and monthly expert-led sessions with neurologists, rheumatologists, mental health professionals, and financial advisors who actually get what you’re navigating. Comment COMMUNITY and we’ll send you the link. #WeAreILLMatic #SelfCareAwarenessMonth #BlackWomenWithMS #LupusAwareness #ChronicIllnessCommunity