Inclusion
Tips on Getting Through the COVID-19 Lockdown From Someone with a Chronic Illness
Many with chronic illnesses have to learn to stay indoors and find ways to cope.
Isolation and social distancing for most seem like temporary changes to their daily routine. But, what about those who like me live with chronic illnesses and are used to staying indoors for indefinite amounts of time?
With the COVID-19 lockdown, millions of people around the world are now at home and it’s only normal to feel a myriad of emotions including frustration, sadness, and anxiety. I know because I went through the same thing when my freedom to move was taken away.
I have gastroenterology intestinal problems which mean I’m hospitalized quite often. Since childhood, I have been living with structural and functional small intestinal disorders — the malrotation of intestines and motility disorder is the primary cause of my illness. I have been through several procedures, surgeries, and require prolonged and intermediate hospitalizations.
For the most part of my life, I’ve been cooped up inside for long periods either at home or at the hospital which is why with the COVID-19 lockdown underway, I don’t feel like my daily life has changed much.
As a chronically ill person, I must always choose my activities and where to focus my energy because the good days can often be rare.
It’s become second nature for me to forgo events, extra-curricular activities, hang out with friends, or just carry on with a normal routine because my health can often come in the way. I used to be an avid runner during my school days. I always aimed for the finish line and I’d run to forget my worries. But due to my deteriorating health condition, I dropped out to focus on my well-being. As a chronically ill person, I must always choose my activities and where to focus my energy because the good days can often be rare. I am an extrovert by nature, but suddenly I had to get used to living in a confined space. It was tough initially and it took a toll on my mental health as I battled with depression. Over the years, I’ve learned to turn to coping tools to get me through the rough days.
Here are the lessons I’ve learned from my time at home which can support you through social distancing and the lockdown.
Make space to grieve
After grieving comes acceptance, but it’s important to allow for space to grieve. I had to adapt to my new normal just as many of you are now. Instead of suppressing any emotions, find ways to tackle and address them. Turn to therapy or online well-being resources. Find a trusted friend to listen to you or turn to journaling to guide yourself through your ups and downs.
Look for the silver lining
I know this is a lifelong illness for me and it’s because of this condition, I’ve made friends with some incredible people from around the world who I’ve met during my hospital stays. The downtime at home or in the hospital has allowed me to pick up various activities, listen to podcasts, enroll in online workshops and training programs. I’ve had to adapt my way of life to make space for my health. Find your purpose, discover an activity that makes you so happy that you look forward to another day. I’ve learned resilience, and the bad days often fuel my determination to look forward to the good ones. To keep myself occupied at the hospital, I turned to art and writing like people are turning to cooking and working out now. I embraced meditation and Tai chi. I learned and experimented with beading, spirography, and wrote gratitude cards to help tide time. I also indulged my competitive side and turned to the gaming to give my adrenaline a boost and made time to practice the flute. Finding the silver lining was tough and took time, but it’s what get me through the rough days.
To learn when to ask for help
Early on, I realized I couldn’t get through this journey alone. While I developed resilience, I also learned when to reach out and ask for help. Even simple activities like playing a board game with my family would cheer me up. I couldn’t always see my friends when I was in the hospital just like millions of people now who are self-isolating by themselves. I missed the human connection and I learned to let my guard down and tell loved ones how I’m really feeling. Most importantly, I realized people aren’t telepathic — you have to sometimes spell it out and put forth your emotional needs. From Snapchat to video calls, I embraced it all. Schedule virtual coffee dates or play online games together to keep some form of social connection going.
Also read: The Re:Set Guide to Supporting Someone with a Chronic Illness
Gehna
June 15, 2020 at 10:49 am
Love this, Ritika. More power to you ❤️
RACHNA KHARE
June 17, 2020 at 6:31 am
Bravo Ritika
The Universe is with you sending positive energy always
AND ME TOO . With plenty of good Chi as the Tai Chi tradition goes!
Dr Jayshree Narayanan
June 17, 2020 at 11:01 am
Ritika well written.
You are indeed an inspiration for many!!
You have been studying in our school from Grade 1 to 10.
I adore your dedication and determination despite falling ill often in school.
Kudos to your parents too.
Keep up the spirit beta…
God bless you😇
Stay safe,Stay Blessed
Jayshree ma’am
Principal
Gokuldham High school and junior College
Poonam Taneja
June 17, 2020 at 5:56 pm
Love this article and your spirit towards life. You are truly an inspiration to all
Dr Meenu Tandon
June 15, 2020 at 11:19 am
Hi.Yes living with chronic illness of any kind is difficult. You have to re_style you way of living .This not only helps you health wise but also brings emotional stability.I am very happy and proud to read your article.Written from heart and very helpful to persons who are bound to stay indoor,may be due to any reason.Happy to see my little girl leading the path of needy.God bless you.
W
Aruna
June 15, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Hey Ritika
You are truly incredible…
💔you
Priyakee
June 20, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Ritika…. THANK YOU ♥️♥️♥️♥️
For helping many out of their shell of self pity…
salutations to you and your parents 💐💐
Aruna
June 15, 2020 at 12:15 pm
Ritika
You are truly incredible..
Love you
Meera uppal
June 15, 2020 at 12:33 pm
So motivating and keep moving.
Shalini hegde
June 15, 2020 at 12:36 pm
Hats off Ritika! I love how you accept what life has to offer (whatever that may be) and how you turn it into your advantage…it’s a lesson all of us have to learn…the sooner the better!
Bela Mehra
June 16, 2020 at 8:20 pm
Thats written so well Ritika… Hats off to your bravery… Fighting with a chronic disease with such a positive attitude… Puts all of us to shame… Who crib about every little thing in life. You have written this so well that I feel you should become a regular blogger.. All the best to you
Sahil Arora
June 15, 2020 at 12:43 pm
You are a strong girl and if people can learn and gain from your life experiences, they will surely be in a much stronger position to deal with life’s ups and downs.
Rupa
June 15, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Love this baby doll ❤️Love you my super girl 😘
Evita Reny
June 15, 2020 at 3:07 pm
This is written so well and it just gives us insight on the little joys that we take for granted!I have always loved your spirit and I hope we all embrace life the way you do! More love and power to you😘
Aditi Suryavanshi
June 15, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Lovely! You’re inspiring Ritika!
R.B.MALHOTRA
June 15, 2020 at 6:55 pm
You the brave young girl. No doubt you had
Serious health problems at starting of your
Life but with brave and strong determination
You have face the health problems. You are
brave young Girl with strong mind and strong determination. One day your all problems will
be solved by the Almighty God. I have full
Faith. Be brave.
DR STUTI KUKREJA
June 15, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Ritika you are so sagacious for someone so young.Always proud of you.
Rohita kajale
June 15, 2020 at 4:07 pm
So well written Ritika dear.. Proud of you.. Stay strong and remain mentally healthy.. Thats the only way❤❤
Dr Raghavendra Prasada
June 15, 2020 at 5:10 pm
Excellent Ritika!
Happy to know about your progress and channelizing your energy in the right direction.
Very nice write up
Sonia Malhotra
June 15, 2020 at 6:02 pm
First you’re inspiring me now you’re on path to inspire the World.
Geetika kapoor
June 15, 2020 at 8:12 pm
Lots of love to you Ritika.Such an inspiring article.You indeed are a blessed child.You are talented and expressed so wonderfully,encouraging the people in the world to face all adversities.Love and blessings to you.God bless.
Geetika Kapoor
Lucknow
Reeta hastir
June 15, 2020 at 6:29 pm
Excellent good job keep going.
Kamni Mehra
June 15, 2020 at 7:04 pm
Strong Super girl Ritika
God bless you dear
You are an inspiration to everyone
Rachna Monga
June 15, 2020 at 8:15 pm
Beautifully explained. Loved the conclusion- when to ask for help👍
Shagufta
June 15, 2020 at 8:35 pm
Ritika you are a living inspiration for all of us. So mature and composed at this young age. You are blessed to be multi talented. You have expressed your self very well. God bless you and may the almighty return good health to you.
Rajendra Sekhrajka
June 15, 2020 at 8:46 pm
Ritika darling
You are like my daughter and rightfully I should be teaching you life lessons but after reading your article , honestly we are learning life lessons from you.
Fr George Paul
June 15, 2020 at 8:50 pm
Wonderful young lady! It’s well written and well thought out. Your grit and determination to face the challenges and the positive attitude is very inspiring. Keep up the go in you . God bless you.
Seema
June 15, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Each n every word is true in itself
God bless you
Jayashree Gorivale
June 15, 2020 at 9:32 pm
You are truly my inspiration my supergirl…
SHIBU ABDUL RASHEED
June 15, 2020 at 9:55 pm
Dear Ritika,
I dnt have any words to say to the inspiring words u have written.
As an Academician I used to see thousands of children in a day.
Nowhere I have seen a girl like you with such a strong mind who is ready to light lamp to others…
My dear Ritika… God is with you and his abundance of blessings is with you. Might be he want u to b a torch bearer for others…B confident n smart as you are..
All our prayers r there with you…
Shibu Abdul Rasheed
Principal,NIS,Doha ,Qatar
Gauri Khanna
June 15, 2020 at 10:34 pm
Such an inspiring write up Ritika, god bless you always dear 💓
Priya Girdhar
June 15, 2020 at 11:15 pm
Very inspiring 😊 You are a strong ,intelligent n mature girl who accepts life challenges with a smile n never let them overpower your positivity n determination…A Real Hero n beautiful creation of God to teach people many life lessons of being grateful, positive n motivating …Always Stay happy positive n keep spreading joy n positivity 🥰
Parag Uppal
June 16, 2020 at 7:14 am
Super Girl with great will power and now helping others great job keep moving
Mona tuli
June 16, 2020 at 9:20 am
Proud proud of u ,very well scripted. Ur moms words hv said it all.Many will take inspiration not to get depressed in this small time lockdown dt Corona…
Zindadil hone kaa
Sevanshi Kamdar
June 16, 2020 at 11:14 am
Very well written. So, so proud of you. Your story and you are an inspiration to everybody out there. Continue to shine, continue to amaze. God Bless.
Sakshi Arora
June 16, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Dear ritika,
Through these years I have seen you deal with these challenges as no one else could . You have always smiled and got through.
I wish you more power and love always!
Very well written.
Heena
June 16, 2020 at 1:29 pm
Great job Ritika….super article by my super brave nd super loving nd caring Ritz….keep moving nd motivating others …love u loads
Kanishka areem
June 16, 2020 at 3:09 pm
U are so inspiring honey with this how u are helping world with ur article stay blessed.
Sapandeep Singh
June 16, 2020 at 10:17 pm
Hi Ritika, really a read where fluidity of your notions and the stark reality of life is nicely brought out. I have been talking about you with your dad another most wonderful person I have ever met.
You are his pride and we simply adore you dear angel for the power of faith and love you so aptly have been blessed with.
God bless you always.
Poonam Taneja
June 17, 2020 at 5:58 pm
Kudos to you Ritika. A very well written article. You are truly an inspiration to all of us.
Mandeep Kaur
June 17, 2020 at 8:00 pm
This is quite motivating, especially in today’s time.
Harmeet Singh
June 17, 2020 at 8:03 pm
Stories like this helps everyone to see the silver lining in tough situations. Well written!
Pooja Taneja
June 17, 2020 at 10:11 pm
Ritika your determination is truly incredible…very inspiring…God bless
Yuko M
June 18, 2020 at 10:17 pm
Ritika, I love it! Very well-written and inspiring. Your sweetness, fun-loving, happy nature, and positive outlook despite the challenges are truly amazing. You are an alchemist who turn the hardship/rocks into the gold of wisdom. Love
Seems Lamba
June 27, 2020 at 6:53 pm
You are an incredible girl dear Ritika. We all should take a leaf out of your self motivating journey. Kudos to ur parents for standing by you always. May you be an inspiration to others who are in similar states.
Bless you beta, stay smiling,focused always and make your parents feel proud!!