wellness

Shifting the Narrative

Positive approach to chronic health

Scrolling through Instagram, it’s clear that so many people are battling chronic illnesses, sharing their pain, their struggles, and their heartbreak. And while it’s incredibly important to have a space where people feel seen and understood, I can’t help but notice something missing-hope, action, and empowerment.

When I was at my lowest, I knew first hand how isolating it was to feel like my life had been taken away by illness. Friends didn’t quite understand how much I had changed. Family struggled to see my invisible pain. I couldn’t work a normal job, couldn’t do simple things like carry a bag, or wear a bra without pain, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever even listed out all my conditions to anyone because there are just too many. And yet, despite all of it, I made a choice – I refused to let my life be defined by suffering alone.

The Problem with the Current Narrative

Many chronic illness pages focus on the hardships, which is valid and necessary in some ways. Chronic illness can be incredibly isolating, and knowing others understand your pain can be comforting. But what happens when that’s all we see? The sadness, the frustration, the feeling of being stuck – it starts to reinforce itself. Research shows that dwelling on negative emotions without resolution can actually make them worse, strengthening neural pathways that keep us trapped in suffering.

I want to break that cycle. I want to build a space that acknowledges the pain but focuses on what we can do. We may not be able to cure our illnesses, but we can take steps to improve our daily lives.

LoveCore: A Space for Action & Empowerment

That’s why I’ve created LoveCore, and why my Instagram, @lovecore.wellness will not just be another space for sharing pain—it will be about finding solutions, trying new approaches, and supporting each other with action-oriented advice.

I’m launching a series called “This Helps…”, which will highlight different techniques, strategies, and small shifts that can make a real difference. Some examples include:

  • Breathing Techniques – Exploring ways to calm the nervous system, improve oxygen flow, and ease tension in the body.
  • Meditation & Mindfulness – Practical methods for grounding, reducing overwhelm, and creating mental space for healing.
  • Resting Without Guilt – Understanding the importance of true rest and how to embrace it without feeling unproductive.
  • Somatic Practices – Gentle movement, touch, and other body-based techniques to release stored trauma and pain.
  • Journaling – Prompts and strategies to process emotions, track symptoms, and cultivate a gratitude mindset.
  • Practical Tips for Doctor Visits – How to prepare, what questions to ask
  • Anti-Inflammatory Foods – Exploring how certain foods (like turmeric, ginger, leafy greens, berries, and omega-3 rich flaxseeds or walnuts) can help reduce inflammation and support gut health.
  • The Science & Spirit of Meditation – A look at how meditation lowers cortisol, improves brain plasticity, enhances immune function, and supports emotional well-being. Including how spiritual practices like loving-kindness meditation boost compassion and connection.
  • Somatic Therapy Benefits – Scientifically backed benefits like reducing chronic pain, lowering anxiety, and improving emotional regulation. Practices may include body scans, gentle movement, and grounding exercises.
  • The Power of Sleep – Why quality rest is crucial for immune repair, reducing inflammation, and improving overall well-being. Tips on sleep hygiene and rituals for better rest.
  • Vitamins & Supplements for IBD – Key nutrients like Vitamin D, B12, Magnesium, Omega-3s, Iron, and Zinc—why they matter, how to supplement safely, and when to test levels. Especially relevant for those living in places like Scotland with less sunlight.
  • Herbal Tea Remedies – Gentle, supportive herbs like chamomile, peppermint, licorice root, and marshmallow root that soothe digestion, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation.
  • Sound Healing – The benefits of sound baths and vibrational healing for calming the nervous system and easing pain.
  • Gratitude Practices – Simple exercises to shift perspective, activate dopamine and serotonin, and bring emotional balance—even during difficult flare days.
  • Empathy Toward Yourself – How learning to speak to yourself kindly changes your inner world and helps with healing.
  • Loving Rituals – Creating small daily acts of love and care for your body, like oil massage, warm baths, or mindful eating.

All of these are tools not just for managing symptoms, but for reconnecting with yourself—and that’s where healing truly begins.

Advocate for the best care possible.

There’s no magic wand to take our illnesses away, but I truly believe there are things that help. And that’s what I want to share—a space where we can move beyond just surviving and start thriving in whatever way we can.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by negativity in the chronic illness community, know that you are not alone. I see you, I understand you, and I want to help shift the focus from suffering to empowerment. We have more strength than we realise, and together, we can create a space that uplifts rather than drains us.

Let’s rewrite the narrative—one small, powerful step at a time.