PART 4: KNOWING YOURSELF

By William – for wheezingaway.com

(ALWAYS REMEMBER – A person without good breathing, is a person with a life of constant caution’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can. – William)

          Living with a chronic illness and/or disability means living with constant change.

          Anyone who battle something such as COPD, asthma, heart conditions, fatigue, or any long-term health challenge knows how quickly things can shift – sometimes in the snap of a finger. That is why gaining stability isn’t optional – it is essential. And one of the most powerful ways to build stability is simple, but not always easy:

KNOW YOURSELF!!

WHY KNOWING YOURSELF MATTERS:

          Every chronic illness and/or disability brings its own set of challenges.

          In my case, severe asthma, Stage III COPD, fatigue, and a chronic heart issue each require a different kind of learning, awareness, and preparation. The more I understand my body – its patterns, its triggers, its warning signs – the better equipped I am to navigate each day.

          This is true for all of us walking life with a chronic illness and/or disability.

          Education never ends. Awareness never stops. And self-knowledge becomes one of your greatest tools.

QUESTIONS THAT MATTER!!

          People with lung issues often get asked questions like:

  • “Can you describe with utmost accuracy how, when, and why you get those nasty bouts of SOB (Short of Breath) episodes?”

OR:

  • “Do you really know when you can expect a possible coughing spell because of anything that may have just happened in or around your walk of life?”

Or even broader questions:

  • “Are you aware of any changes in your skin color, joint comfort, movement, or your ability to eat and sleep?”

If you an answer these confidently, you are already doing the work of knowing yourself – and that is something to celebrate.

TRACKING YOUR BODY’S STORY!!

          One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself – and your medical team – is accurate information about what is happening in your daily life.

          Many people keep a daily or weekly journal, and honestly, it’s one of the best habits you can build.

          Write things down such as…when you have a coughing spell…when you get short of breath…when you get headaches or even those times you just plain got that feeling of being tired and/or exhausted.

          When you track:

  • What happened
  • When it happened
  • How it felt
  • What might have triggered it

You will begin to see patterns and these patterns will tell a story – YOUR STORY – and that story helps your family, caretakers, and medical teams understand what you are experience and how they can support you.

          Even if you don’t keep a written journal, staying aware of your body and your surroundings is essential.

BECOMING YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND!!

          Knowing yourself isn’t just about avoiding flare-ups. It’s about becoming your own best ally.

          When you understand your habits – routines – triggers – and limits, you are far less likely to repeat the bumps that cause chaos in you daily walk of life.

          You will learn to anticipate challenges instead of being blindsided by them.

          And honestly – BEING YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN BEING YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY!!

A REFLECTION WITH QUESTIONS:

          Taking a moment to reflect:

  • What measures do you take to track negative flare-ups involving your chronic illness?
  • Do you share these records with your family, caretaker, physician or medical specialist?
  • Have you made yourself your own best friend by knowing your physical well-being – or are you still learning how?

If you would like to share your responses to the reflection questions – feel free to leave a comment below or send us an email at wheezingaway@gmail.com.

A FINAL REMINDER:

          If you live with a chronic illness and/or disability, stay alert to new information, new patterns, and new knowledge. Anything that offers hope, clarity, or understanding is worth paying attention to.

          And as always (because I fight COPD), if you or someone you know has on going breathing issues that disrupt their daily life, please talk with a physician or a pulmonologist. Asking questions is never a sign of weakness – it is a sign of wisdom!!

SMILES, PRAYERS, BLESSINGS AND STEADY BREATHING…have a GOOD DAY!!

NOTES – Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of living with a chronic illness and/or disability. Nothing here should ever be considered medical advice. If you have questions about what we have posted, please ask your physician and/or medical specialist.

(Copyright@2026, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com – no part of this write may be used or copied without written permission.)