A journey of transformation through chronic illness, spiritual growth, and the beauty of living simply
At this point in my life, I find myself wearing many hats: chronic disease warrior, single mother, business owner, homeschooling mom, grandparent to both kiddos and dogs, keeper of a home filled with 11 souls, writer, and artist. Each one chosen by me or not is with great intention and purpose. Perhaps the most transformative role I’ve embraced is that of someone learning to find unlimited spiritual potential within physical limitations.
When Life Forces a Reckoning
My journey with Post-exertional Malaise (PEM) from long-term COVID conditions has been one of life’s great challenges and a most profound teacher. PEM is a key symptom of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and it’s unlike anything most people understand as “fatigue.”
Picture this: you complete a simple task—maybe a walk in the yard, cooking a full meal, a trip to the grocery store, a shower, a deep conversation, getting less than 8 hours of sleep, or some business paperwork or some research & reading, etc—and 12 to 48 hours later, your body crashes. Not just tired, but profoundly debilitated. Your symptoms flare for days, weeks, or longer. Physical, cognitive, and even emotional exertion can trigger this cascade of exhaustion, pain, brain fog, and flu-like symptoms that can render you unable to function. It is the hardest thing to explain to others with no point of reference. I literally have spent the last 5 years learning how long or how much excursion I can give to each activity to help limit my pain, & exhaustion and maintain my productivity. I fight the brain’s programmed responses of “you are lazy”, “you are a horrible mom”, “people won’t take your excuses”, and so on. I just have to pace my life and know that I cannot control other’s opinions or actions. I can only control mine. Everything always works out in the long run.
When I was still working outside the home as this illness took hold, I felt like I aged a decade in just two years. I’d fall asleep uncontrollably at 3 PM every day. My hair grayed rapidly, my weight skyrocketed, my memory scattered like leaves in the wind. Worst of all, I had no good energy left for my children — some of whom were also battling long COVID, dealing with accidents, and managing their own disabilities.
Something had to change. We were drowning.
Creating Sacred Space Within Limitations
The solution came through surrender and creativity. We built a family business that allows me and several of my children to work from home, setting our own pace and honoring our bodies’ needs. My workspace reflects this philosophy of working within limitations: I have a recliner positioned in front of my desktop computer with a large, distant screen, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that extend my reach, painting supplies on a rack beside me, and a lap board for creating art. My printer and files are all withing reach. My files are in crates and binders under the computer table. Only what I need most. Everything exists within my bedroom so I can rest when needed.
Our home operates on principles of pacing and mindful energy management. Most meals come from the crockpot, roaster, or oven—easier methods that conserve my energy. Once a week, I choose my crash carefully, preparing a beautiful homemade feast for my family, knowing I’ll be down for days afterward. Sometimes instead, I’ll take the kids to movies or events, trading that week in recovery for precious memories, as I am usually down longer after these outings. We plan simple easy meals and not a lot of heavy chores during recovery weeks. We may even do light school or due school on a weekend instead. We do stuff all year so to be able to take sick days when needed. We play music, rest and play games to get our minds off the pain. I don’t stress anymore as I know it will all get done in due time.
We’ve learned to divide chores across all capable family members, hire out major repairs and yard work, and keep our garden beds small but meaningful. I order groceries online to save my energy for moments that matter most—time with my children.
The Unexpected Gifts of Forced Simplicity
Here’s what chronic illness taught me that years of spiritual seeking couldn’t: how to truly live in alignment with my deepest values.
Before I got sick, I spent my lifetime wanting to care more about the collective, to have genuine compassion without bias. I wanted humility instead of desperation for love and attention. I longed to be confident without worrying about others’ opinions, to resist propaganda and anxiety-driven culture. I wanted to care less about my appearance and others’ perceptions, to live simply without needing so much, to love without the desperation that comes from insecurity.
This illness stripped away every distraction that blocked my view of these truths. When your energy is severely limited, you learn to prioritize exactly what matters — nothing extra, nothing wasteful, nothing that doesn’t serve your highest good or the good of those you love.
Technology as Sacred Tool
In our digitally connected world, I’ve discovered that technology can be both helper and hindrance. I run my business entirely online, pay bills digitally, and have everything delivered. Timers remind me of simple tasks when my scattered memory needs support. I record messages and respond when I have the mental capacity.
But I’ve learned to avoid “shiny object syndrome” with apps and programs. Simplicity remains key—I don’t need tools that duplicate tasks or distract from my own creativity and intuition. Mental exertion can trigger crashes just like physical activity, so I pace my screen time carefully. Occasional trips to the lake or park help us disconnect and reconnect with nature.
The Spiritual Alchemy of Limitation
My spiritual practice has deepened immeasurably. With fewer distractions, I have energy for meaningful ritual work. My creativity has flourished, and I’m watching my children explore their own gifts and talents in ways that might never have happened in our old, frantically busy life.
I’ve gained something I never expected: an appreciation for the mundane and ordinary as sacred. Every moment contains beauty when you’re truly present for it. Every person becomes worthy of love when you see them clearly. Every small pleasure — a shared meal, a quiet conversation, the sight of children learning—becomes a blessing. I witness each of my children’s growth stages—emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual—because I’m present for their unfolding.
The synchronicities are everywhere now that I have eyes to see them. I have full communication with the Universe and all that is. I see connections and patterns. I have grown patience and understanding as I know everything will work out in perfect timing.
Living Forward with Purpose
Do I wish I had less discomfort and could do more? Absolutely. But I wonder if I’d just pack my schedule full of meaningless busyness again, thinking I was Wonder Woman and needed to do everything.
Instead, we’re creating something beautiful within our space and limitations. We’re living in the present moment, less concerned with past regrets and more focused on what our unique path forward looks like. We’re building bonds, growing compassion, and staying open to creating a better future for everyone in our community.
An Invitation to Your Own Sacred Restructuring
I want to encourage you, whether you’re dealing with chronic illness or simply feeling overwhelmed by modern life’s demands: take time to examine your present situation. How can you break it down and recreate it according to your true priorities rather than society’s expectations?
Allow each part of your life to have meaning and purpose. Create deeper bonds with those you love. Grow compassion for the collective and your community. Stay open to the possibility that what looks like limitation might actually be an invitation to discover what truly matters.
Sometimes the most profound spiritual growth comes not from what we can do, but from how we learn to be within what we cannot change. In my limitations, I’ve found unlimited potential for transformation—and perhaps you can too.
If this resonates with your journey, I’d love to hear about your own experiences with finding the sacred in life’s challenges. Share your story in the comments below. We’re all walking each other home.
Blessed Be
High Priestess
Chronic illness spiritual journey
Living with chronic fatigue
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) ME/CFS spiritual healing
Chronic illness blog
Spiritual wellness chronic disease
Long COVID recovery
Chronic illness coping strategies
Finding meaning in chronic illness
Spiritual growth through suffering
Chronic illness and spirituality
Sacred simplicity living
Mindful living with limitations
Chronic illness family life
Spiritual practices for chronic pain
Holistic chronic illness management
Personalized spiritual wellness
Spiritual well-being assessment
Conscious living with chronic illness
Spiritual resilience building
Mind-body-spirit healing
Spiritual self-care routines
Sacred activism from home
Digital spiritual practice