In a world where the evidence of suffering isn't always visible, where the scars are hidden beneath a veneer of normalcy, exists a silent battle that few truly understand. It's the realm of invisible illnesses, where pain and fatigue weave their insidious threads through every moment, yet go unnoticed by those around us.

I know this struggle intimately. Every day, I wake up with a weight that no one sees but me. The exhaustion that seeps into my bones, the ache that gnaws at my muscles – they are constants in my life. But what hurts more than the physical pain is the disbelief from others. The raised eyebrows, the skeptical glances, the whispers behind my back – they cut deeper than any physical wound ever could.

"People like you don't look sick," they say, as if illness should come with a uniform, a badge that marks us clearly for the world to see. But my illness wears no such badge. It hides in the shadows of my body, masking itself from the eyes of those who pass judgment so easily. And yet, its presence is undeniably real, its impact profound.

I wish they could understand the courage it takes to navigate each day with a smile while battling an invisible enemy within. To endure the doubt and skepticism of others, all while trying to hold onto a semblance of normalcy. It's a lonely journey, fought not just against the illness itself but against the stigma that surrounds it.

I hope, with all my heart, that those who doubt never have to experience this themselves. That they never know the frustration of trying to explain an illness that defies easy explanation. That they never feel the sting of being told by others that other people don’t believe you’re ill and that you’re lying because you’re downright lazy. 
It is extremely cruel to call anyone suffering with invisible illnesses as a liar, simply because their suffering doesn't fit neatly into society's expectations, Especially when the people involved do not really know me well or know anything about my life, medical history and conditions. 
I am deeply hurt, and in truth a little angry these acquaintances think they have the right to talk behind my back, but not brave enough to say what they are gossiping about behind my back, to my face. 
I really wouldn’t want to wish an invisible illness on anyone, because it hard and soul destroying at times but right this minute I wish they could walk a mile in my shoes, to take the medicine I have to take daily.

For those of us living with invisible illnesses, every day is a testament to resilience. It's about finding strength in the face of doubt, and compassion in the face of ignorance. It's about holding onto hope, even when the world tries to convince us otherwise.

So, to anyone who has ever felt the sting of disbelief because of their invisible illness, I stand with you. Your pain is valid, your struggle is real, and your resilience is inspiring. And to those who doubt, I urge you to look beyond what you can see. Empathy costs nothing, but it can mean everything to someone fighting a battle you may never fully understand.

Until next time, 
Toodle pip, 
Yours Lainey.

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