Before we jump into this week’s post where I share 35 chronic illness quotes to give you hope & encouragement, I need to give a bit of a life update.

As you may have noticed, I didn’t post anything last week. And I’ve decided that until further notice, I’ll only be posting bi-weekly.

I’m dealing with some challenging stuff involving self-advocating and allyship, and it’s pretty emotionally draining (and somewhat triggering) for me right now.

As a spoonie, I feel called to show up and speak up for myself and my needs. And as a coach, I feel called to do so for those that can’t speak up for themselves. 

But being a coach also means that I have a responsibility to care for myself so I can care for others and this sometimes means stepping back a bit to ensure I have the time and space I need to do so.

This will also help me ensure I’m showing up as my best self for these important parts of my life.

Ok, now, on with today’s post…

This Week I’m sharing 35 Chronic Illness Quotes to Give You Hope & Encouragement

As I sat down to work on what I was “supposed” to write for this week (meaning what I had already planned out in advance) I found myself dreading it. 

I felt like the topic was heavier than what I wanted to deal with after an emotional week.

Then it dawned on me – when things feel heavy, I need things that remind me of the hope that is still there, and to help encourage me to keep going.

And I also know that when you’re living with a chronic illness, having someplace to turn for hope & encouragement is crucial. 

That’s why this week I’m sharing 35 Chronic Illness Quotes to Give You Hope & Encouragement below. 👇‍

Quotes for hope

“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it.”—Michael J. Fox

“I may not have an umbrella to block the rain… but it doesn’t mean I’m not ready to weather the storm.” —Arminda Meer

“You either get bitter or you get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you”. – Josh Shipp

“Not every day has to count. Some days are about just making it to the next one. That counts, too.” – @how.u.feeling

“I don’t know how my story will end. But on no page will it read “I gave up”. – unknown

“Being sick doesn’t make you hard to love.” – Unknown

“Understanding the challenges you face with your illness, and then planning a life despite them, may be one of the healthiest decisions you ever make.” – Lisa Copen

“I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy…But we are doing it. And I laugh and I don’t know what I will do precisely but I will do my best.” – Selma Blair

“When you cannot do what you’ve always done, then you only do what matters most.” – Robert D. Hales

“Chronic disease may be the end of life as you know it now, but it can be the start of a whole new, fulfilling life. That process takes time, even years, but don’t lose hope. Keep dreaming and thinking about what you can physically & mentally cope with and eventually you will reinvent yourself. The end will be the start of a new beginning.” – Sam Moss

“You are not a burden. You HAVE a burden, which by definition is too heavy to carry on your own.” – Unknown

“Sometimes you’ll be in control of your illness, and other times you will sink into despair, and that’s okay. Freak out, forgive yourself, and try again another day.” – Unknown

“Sometimes you’ll be in control of your illness, and other times you will sink into despair, and that’s okay. Freak out, forgive yourself, and try again another day.” – Unknown

“I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.” – Audre Lorde

Quotes for encouragement

“You wake up every morning to fight the same demons that left you so tired the night before, and that, my love, is bravery.” – Unknown

“The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about.” —Unknown

”It has been said that time heals all wounds. The truth is that time does not heal anything. It merely passes. It is what we do during the passing of time that helps or hinders the healing process.” – Jay Marshall

“Never let the things you cannot do prevent you from doing the things you can do”. – Coach John Wooden

“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist… Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.” – Stephen Hawking

“Resting is not laziness, it is medicine” – Glenn Schweitzer

“If opening your eyes, or getting out of bed, or holding a spoon, or combing your hair is the daunting Mount Everest you climb today, that is okay.” – Carmen Ambrosio

“If you can’t fly then run if you can’t run then walk if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Do not spend your precious energy worrying about how others view your medical condition” – Toni Bernhard

“We may have been given a challenging illness, and there is no other option but to meet those challenges.” – Carrie Fisher

“Just because an illness or condition isn’t widely known doesn’t make it any less serious than any other illness.” – The Mighty

“I won’t apologize for having fun while chronically ill.” – Morgan Freeman

“Chronic illness has put me in a different place in life than everyone else my age & I need to try my best to remind myself that it is not something to be ashamed of.” – @myillnessmythoughts

“Repeat after me: it’s not your fault you’re sick.” – Unknown

“You don’t always have to be grateful that it isn’t worse.” – Unknown

“Never feel bad about doing what’s best for you. You need to be your first and foremost priority above all else.” – positivityinpain.net

“It’s ok if all you did today was survive.” – Unknown

“Managing life with chronic illness requires making constant decisions on where you will spend your energy.” – Andi J. Creative

“You are not obligated to do everything a healthy person does. You are not obligated to be an inspiration. You are not obligated to hide your illness in order to make other people comfortable. You are allowed to know your limits. You are allowed to have bad days. You are allowed to stay in bed if you can’t get up to do anything but go to the bathroom. It is not your fault if other people leave you because of your illness. It is not your fault that you are sick. You don’t have to apologize for something that is out of your control.” – Unknown

“Blessed are we who are fighting invisible battles for though our strength is unseen, it is powerful.” – The Thriving Spoonie

Did you find a new favorite quote for hope & encouragement?

It’s my intention that these 35 chronic illness quotes to give you hope & encouragement soothe your mind & soul, no matter what you’re dealing with as you navigate life as a spoonie.

If you enjoyed any of these quotes, be sure to share them on your Pinterest board by clicking the icon on the left. Then, head to my profile to follow me for more spoonie tips, more quotes, and more resources to help you thrive.

May your spoons be plenty and your flares be few,

Are you ready to take charge of your day while feeling supported as a spoonie?