Hey friend—
Whether you're navigating chronic illness, burnout, heartbreak, or just a life that keeps throwing curveballs—some of the so-called “rules” we’ve been handed about how to live, work, and be are downright unhelpful. In this episode of The Art of Resilience Podcast, we’re tearing a few of those up.
This is a powerful and much-needed topic—exploring how living with a chronic illness often requires breaking unspoken rules and expectations in order to reclaim agency, identity, and joy.
From toxic productivity myths to workplace cultures that reward burnout, I share the invisible scripts I had to unlearn to start actually thriving—not just surviving. We’ll talk about how to exit environments (and relationships) that suck the life out of you, how to not be everyone’s always-positive, always-available friend, and why real boundaries aren’t about avoidance—they’re about repair.
These rules and standards aren't designed for bodies in pain, fluctuating energy levels, or the unpredictability of chronic symptoms.
“Pushing through” can lead to flares or massive setbacks
Rest isn’t optional—it’s survival
Traditional measures of success often become irrelevant
Masking your pain for others’ comfort erodes authenticity
Let me tell you a secret and smash this lie. Many times, these rules aren’t even made for any person! Breaking the rules isn’t rebellion—it’s wisdom.
Oh—and if you’ve ever spiraled into Netflix-and-scroll territory and called it “rest”… to mitigate the blues often brought on by pain, fatigue, or symptoms—we’re going there too (with zero shame). These “self-care” pop culture scripts can often feel blurry and lead us into inaction and paralysis.
Let’s rewrite the rules and give ourselves permission to heal differently.
With grit and grace,
Jaasiel 💛
Credits:
🎵 The theme song for The Art of Resilience Podcast is "Where We Go" by the super talented Elijah Aaron Palnik. Go check out his website—he’s got some seriously good jams!
PREVIOUS EPISODES
“Flare Me Out: Mindset Shift to Richness”
“When was the last time you fully enjoyed a meal?”
