The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly of Living With HS

The Good: Self-awareness, Part 1

I know what you all are thinking. “How in the world could you ever have any good that comes with being a person who suffers from this awful illness?” Well, I know it’s easier said than done, however, I’m here to tell you about how you can benefit from this illness, but that’s only if you’re able to change your perspective on what it’s like having this condition.

Making the best out of a bad situation

Please allow me to paint a picture for you all. For as long as I could remember, for most of my life, I’ve been one of those people to make the best of a bad situation. And to be frank, at times, I thought to myself that my life can’t get any worse, especially living with this dreadful illness, and I’m sure that most of you can attest to thinking that, too. However, I feel this way of thinking can worsen your HS, along with your overall quality of life.

So please allow me to elaborate on how some good can come from having this condition. If you’re anything like me, you’re most likely a very self-aware person. Self-awareness and self-care are essential for everyone. In my opinion, probably even more important to a person that has to live with this incurable illness. Now if you’re wondering about what exactly do I mean when I say being self-aware and practicing self-care, then please stick around and allow me to explain.

Being aware of who you are as a person

First things first, let’s start with the awareness aspect. In my opinion, I feel that being aware of who you are as a person, along with understanding the fact that you are NOT your illness will be a key component to getting some good out of this bad situation. Although this condition is a huge part of our lives, it still doesn’t represent, and nor should it ever over-shadow, every great quality about us.

Simply put, you are so much more than this illness. You could be a committed mother, on top of being a full-time working professional, and I don’t have to remind you that these two social roles can be not-so-easy roles to play. I know from watching my single mother trying to manage her different social roles. In addition, HS is also found in men. You could be a full-time father on top of juggling your full-time job as well.

So my point being is this: it’s not an easy task to manage your different social roles, but you still make it work because you’re a smart and strong-minded person. So please keep in mind not to be so hard on yourself at times because life is hard and you have to juggle many responsibilities, on top of living with this disease.

I've got this!

I give you many examples to exemplify the fact that we all have many roles and responsibilities in our lives that we want to make good on. However, when things seem like they’re getting overwhelming, just try to be more self-aware of this emotion by acknowledging it and just remember to take a deep breath, and say to yourself that “I've got this”.

I’m a very realistic person, so with that being said, I know this will not be the go-to answer for all of your stressful situations. I’m most certainly not suggesting that when you practice becoming more self-aware of these stressful situations it will simply cure you of your Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Less stress, less hidradenitis suppurativa flares

However, if you can practice becoming more self-aware by recognizing these stressful situations during the time that they are acutely happening, then I feel that this practice can significantly reduce your stress levels for improving your overall quality of life.

Many studies have shown that having lower stress levels can lead to fewer flares. And this should go without saying, but you all know just as much as I do, that having fewer flares equals less pain. Less pain equals more mobility. More mobility equals more opportunities for you to enjoy and do the things that you want to do in life that will bring you happiness.

So please be kind to yourself and try to make good out of a bad situation.

Check out Parts 2 and 3 of this series!