Unsteady Strength

Living with an Autoimmune Disease: Learning to Navigate the Unexpected

Living with an autoimmune disease is a journey I never signed up for and yet, it’s one I walk every single day. There are moments of strength and clarity, but there are also days where the weight of it all feels heavier than I’d like to admit.

One of the hardest parts for me is learning to make peace with the unpredictability. My body often reminds me that I’m not fully in control. I still struggle with the reality of having to visit the dentist every three months because my teeth keep breaking. No matter how much I care for them, no matter how disciplined I am, it feels like my body has its own plans and every visit is not just about fixing teeth - it’s a reminder of what I’ve lost and what I continue to navigate.

Another challenge is my weight and strength. I can spend months dedicated to building myself up - eating well, exercising consistently and watching my body gain muscle and healthy weight. I start to feel stronger, more like myself again. It’s like carefully rebuilding a house, brick by brick, finally seeing it stand tall again and then, almost without warning, it’s as if a storm sweeps through - the weight I fought to gain suddenly drops and the muscles I worked so hard to build seem to vanish overnight. It’s discouraging, because it feels like I’m constantly being asked to start over, no matter how much effort I’ve already invested.

And sometimes, these setbacks take an even bigger toll. They don’t just disrupt my routines - they land me in the hospital. The very place I try so hard to avoid becomes a reality when my body reaches a point where it needs more than I can give it at home. These visits are draining, not just physically, but emotionally. They remind me that no matter how proactive I am, I’m still vulnerable to being pulled off course in an instant.

This is the reality of life with an autoimmune condition: progress is rarely linear. Healing isn’t about achieving perfection - it’s about learning to find balance in the midst of constant change.

As a life coach, I don’t share these struggles for sympathy. I share them because I know I’m not alone and I know how isolating this path can feel. My lived experiences are the foundation of how I guide others: toward fulfillment, toward greater well-being and toward a gentler relationship with themselves, even when life doesn’t go according to plan.

To anyone walking a similar path - whether it’s an autoimmune condition or another invisible struggle - please remember this: your worth is not measured by how much you can control. Your strength is not diminished by the days you feel weak and even in the setbacks, you are still moving forward.

I am still learning, still stumbling and still searching for peace with the parts of life that feel unfair, but I’ve also discovered that growth can happen in the middle of struggle and that even in a body that feels unpredictable, fulfillment and joy are still possible.