But when it comes to chronic illness—especially the invisible kind—the narrative changes. Joy becomes suspicious. Rest becomes laziness. Smiling becomes proof that you must be fine. But we deserve those moments too. We are sick. And still human. And still allowed to feel joy.

A personal story about the early stages of chronic illness—navigating invisible symptoms, medical doubt, and the haunting question: What kind of sick are you? This post explores the confusion, self-doubt, and search for answers when you don’t yet have a diagnosis.