There is no finish line living with chronic illness. I’m learning to exist in a body that feels different from one day to the next. People typically say, “Hope you feel better soon,” as if there’s a shortcut back to the person I once was. I suppose it’s hard to know what to say to a stroke survivor.

Full recovery is deeply personal and constantly evolving. Some days, the progress is in small victories, like getting up, attending a meeting, or taking a walk. Other days simply require acceptance that symptoms are flaring and rest. This sometimes feels like regression, but it’s the nature of a dynamic, unpredictable condition.

Like sobriety, stroke recovery doesn’t end when a milestone is reached. There’s no “You’ve made it” moment. We can give ourselves checkpoints while learning to navigate life differently. Stress, life changes, and even joyful events like buying a new home can trigger symptoms, but that doesn’t erase the progress made. It just means the work shifts. With a strong enough foundation through support groups, professional guidance, rest, and self-awareness, my recovery can withstand the unpredictable waves of life. Recovery is walking forward with patience, living on the path rather than reaching the destination.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Rather listen on Apple Podcasts? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-daily-podcast/id1693924779

Visit my Etsy shop, and join my creative journey at Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#StrokeRecovery #LifeAfterStroke #VestibularWarrior #SurvivorStrong #InvisibleIllness #RecoveryJourney #NoFinishLine #HealingIsntLinear #LivingWithHope #KeepGoing