Living with chronic illness can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go it alone. In this episode, I talk about building your resilience circle: the people, resources, and relationships that support you through the tough days and help you hold on to hope. From chosen family to online communities, from professionals to quiet supporters behind the scenes – your circle matters. Because resilience isn’t just a personal quality, it’s also about who is holding your hand when things get hard.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why resilience doesn’t mean doing it alone
• The different types of support your circle can include
• How to identify who’s already in your resilience circle and where there may be gaps
• Ways to call in more support, even if it feels vulnerable
• Reassurance that you’re not a burden and that everyone needs help

Whether you’re just starting to build your support system or you’re reevaluating who’s in your corner, this episode is a reminder that you deserve support that sees you, respects you, and holds space for the fullness of your experience.

Key Info:

The resilience support circle roles:

1. The listener: The person who holds space without trying to fix it. They say, "That sounds really hard, I'm here".
2. The problem-solver: The one who helps research treatments, track symptoms, or plan logistics when you ask them to.
3. The grounder: A calming presence. They help you feel steady during upheaval.
4. The joy-bringer: Someone who brings laughter, lightness, or distraction when you need a break from being “the sick one”.
5. The peer: Someone with shared lived experience who “gets it” without explanation.
6. The professional: Therapist, coach, doctor, or healer. Paid help counts as part of your resilience circle, especially if they respect your reality.

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