Finding Inspiration on Days You feel like Quitting

We've all been there—those days when motivation feels like a distant memory, when even the smallest tasks feel overwhelming, and when the weight of managing a chronic condition like lupus makes everything seem just a little bit harder. If you're nodding along right now, I want you to know: you're not alone, and what you're feeling is completely valid.

Living with lupus means navigating a unique set of challenges that others might not always understand. The unpredictability of flares, the constant need to balance rest with activity, and the invisible nature of so many symptoms can all contribute to feelings of being stuck or unmotivated. But here's the truth I've learned through my own journey and working with countless others in the lupus community: inspiration doesn't have to come from grand gestures or major life changes. Sometimes, the most powerful shifts happen through small, intentional actions that honor where you are right now.

Today, I'm sharing six of my favorite gentle strategies for bringing more energy and inspiration back into your life—even on the toughest days.

1. Get a Little Sunshine (Safely!)

There's something almost magical about stepping outside and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin or the gentle breeze against your face. Natural light has been shown to boost mood, regulate our circadian rhythms, and even increase serotonin levels—our body's natural "feel-good" chemical.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "But what about photosensitivity?" You're absolutely right to consider this. Many people with lupus experience increased sensitivity to sunlight, which can trigger flares or worsen symptoms. But that doesn't mean you have to stay inside forever.

Here's how to safely get your dose of nature:

• Step outside during less intense sun hours (early morning or late afternoon)

• Wear protective clothing, including long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat

• Apply (and reapply!) broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen

• Sit by an open window where you can feel the breeze and see the sky

• Spend time in shaded areas where you can still enjoy being outdoors

Even just five minutes of fresh air can shift your entire mood. You don't need to go for a long walk or spend hours outside—sometimes, simply stepping onto your porch or balcony is enough to reset your nervous system and remind yourself that there's a whole world beyond your four walls.

2. Embrace Gentle Movement Through Stretching or Self-Massage

When you're dealing with joint pain, stiffness, or fatigue, the last thing you might feel like doing is moving your body. But here's the paradox: gentle movement often helps reduce the very discomfort that makes us want to stay still.

You don't need to commit to an intense workout or follow a complicated routine. Instead, think of movement as a form of self-care—a way to show your body kindness and gratitude for carrying you through each day.

Try these simple techniques:

• Roll your shoulders backward and forward to release neck and upper back tension

• Gently rotate your wrists and ankles to maintain joint mobility

• Use a warm compress on your neck, shoulders, or any areas of tension, combined with gentle massage

• Practice slow, mindful stretches while sitting in a chair or lying in bed

• Use your fingertips to apply light pressure to temples, jaw, or other areas that hold stress

Self-massage can be particularly powerful. You can use your own hands, a foam roller, or even a tennis ball against a wall. The key is to move slowly, breathe deeply, and listen to what your body needs in that moment. This isn't about pushing through pain—it's about creating more ease and comfort in your body.

3. Feed Your Mind with Inspiring Content

When we're feeling low or stuck, it's easy to fall into patterns of mindless scrolling or consuming content that doesn't truly nourish us. Instead, what if we intentionally chose to fill our minds with stories, ideas, and perspectives that uplift and inspire?

Consider these options:

• Watch a TED Talk on a topic that fascinates you—resilience, creativity, health, or personal growth

• Learn about others who are thriving with lupus, like Selena Gomez, who has been open about her journey and even received a kidney transplant from her friend

• Read articles or books about people who have overcome challenges similar to yours

• Listen to podcasts featuring conversations about chronic illness, advocacy, or wellness

• Follow social media accounts that focus on empowerment rather than comparison

Sometimes all it takes is one powerful story to remind you of your own strength. When you see someone else navigating similar challenges with grace and courage, it can spark something within you—a reminder that you, too, have incredible resilience already inside you.

The goal isn't to consume inspiring content passively, but to let it activate something within you. Maybe it's a new perspective, a practical tip you can try, or simply the reassurance that you're not alone on this journey.

4. Focus on Your Progress, Not Other People's Journeys

In our hyper-connected world, it's incredibly easy to fall into the comparison trap. You scroll through social media and see people who seem to be doing more, achieving more, or handling their health challenges better than you are. But here's what those curated posts don't show: the hard days, the setbacks, the moments of doubt and struggle.

Comparison is particularly dangerous when you're managing a chronic condition because everyone's journey is different. Your lupus doesn't look like anyone else's lupus. Your challenges, triggers, symptoms, and treatment path are uniquely yours.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, try this:

• Look back at where you were three to six months ago

• Notice the flare-free days you've had recently

• Celebrate the small wins—maybe you had more energy this week, or you tried a new anti-inflammatory recipe

• Acknowledge the strength you've built through navigating difficult situations

• Keep a simple journal where you track your progress and wins, no matter how small

Your healing journey is not a competition. It's not linear. And it doesn't need to look like anyone else's path. When you focus on your own progress—however incremental it might feel—you begin to recognize just how far you've actually come.

5. Give Yourself Permission to Rest

Let's talk about something that many of us struggle with: rest. In our productivity-obsessed culture, taking a break can feel like giving up or being lazy. But when you're managing lupus, rest isn't optional—it's essential medicine.

Your body is working incredibly hard every single day to manage an autoimmune condition. That takes enormous energy, even when you're not consciously aware of it. Chronic fatigue isn't "just being tired"—it's your body telling you it needs time to repair, restore, and recharge.

Here's what I want you to understand: Resting is not quitting. Taking a nap is not failing. Saying no to commitments when you're depleted is not weakness. In fact, honoring your body's need for rest is one of the strongest, most courageous things you can do.

Sometimes the most productive action you can take is to pause, recharge, and come back to your life with renewed energy. This might look like:

• Taking a restorative nap in the afternoon

• Having a "bed day" where you stay cozy and catch up on rest

• Declining social invitations when your body needs recovery time

• Breaking tasks into smaller chunks with rest periods in between

• Practicing gentle activities like meditation or listening to calming music

Remember: rest is how you come back stronger. It's not a detour from your healing—it's an essential part of the journey.

6. Reach Out and Ask for Help

Perhaps the most important strategy on this list is also one of the hardest for many of us: asking for help. There's something about chronic illness that can make us feel like we need to handle everything on our own, like admitting we need support is somehow a failure.

But isolation only makes everything harder. Connection, community, and support are not just nice-to-haves—they're vital components of managing lupus and maintaining your mental and emotional wellbeing.

Consider reaching out to:

• A trusted friend or family member who can simply listen without trying to fix everything

• Your healthcare team—your doctor, rheumatologist, or nurse who can address medical concerns

• A therapist or counselor who specializes in chronic illness or health psychology

• A lupus support group, either in-person or online, where you can connect with others who truly understand

• Online communities where people share resources, experiences, and encouragement

You are not a burden. You are not too much. You are not alone. There is an entire community of people who understand what you're going through, and there are professionals whose job is to support you through this journey.

Asking for help is an act of self-awareness and strength. It means you know yourself well enough to recognize when you need support, and you're brave enough to reach out for it.

Finding Inspiration in the Everyday

As we wrap up, I want to leave you with this thought: inspiration doesn't always arrive in dramatic moments or life-changing revelations. More often, it's built through small, consistent choices that honor where you are and gently guide you toward where you want to be.

On days when lupus feels overwhelming, when fatigue is heavy, or when motivation is nowhere to be found, you don't need to have it all figured out. You don't need to be perfect or productive or positive all the time. You just need to choose one small thing—one moment of sunlight, one gentle stretch, one inspiring story, one act of self-compassion.

Those small choices add up. They become habits. And habits become the foundation of a life where you're not just surviving with lupus, but truly living alongside it.

Your Turn

I'd love to hear from you: which of these six strategies resonates most with you today?

What small step will you take to bring a little more inspiration and energy into your day?

Remember, you don't have to try all of them at once. Pick one. Just one. And see how it feels.

You are stronger than you know. You are doing better than you think. And you are absolutely not alone on this journey.

Living with lupus requires a unique kind of strength—one that shows up in rest days and gentle movements, in asking for help and celebrating small wins. However you're showing up today, it's enough.

If you're ready for help with your diet and lifestyle to start seeing dramatic progress - contact me today! I can't wait to help you!!!!