On the face of things I have a great deal to be upset about. Four years ago I was diagnosed with the incurable illness endometriosis. A disease so painful and life-altering that many older women with endometriosis call it the curse.

Despite what people may think about an illness many still believe to effect women one to five days a month during their period, I am in daily, agonising pain.

I struggled to understand what was wrong with me for most of my adult life. I seemed to be a walking heap of problems from the day I reached puberty. Aches and pains. Period pain that would make me pass out. Exhaustion while doing very little.

Many years later I am bogged down with all the clutter and ill-health that comes with a chronic illness. It plagues me every day, looming behind every thought. Illness is still the first thing that greets me each morning.

Strangely though, despite all the emotion of the last four years I am the happiest I have ever been.

But how?

Mostly from a lot of work… Let me explain.

Not too long ago someone I know declared helpfully that I seemed far too happy to be seriously ill. I had to chuckle at that, as if they were somehow implying that I wasn’t really ill.

Such is the perverse logic of people not troubled by illness.

I hate to break the perceptions that people have of disease, but it’s perfectly possible to be chronically ill and happy. This is the great epiphany that comes with acceptance of your illness and your new limitations. Yes it is upsetting for a good long while, you can dwell on what you can no longer do, or you can simply remark and triumph on what’s left – which is always a great deal, no matter how you cut it.

Many people who go on to accept chronic illness find pleasure in little things. In being alive, in laughing, or being surrounded by the people they love.

It doesn’t mean that I’ve bested an incurable illness, it simply means that I’ve found a reliable and more positive way to cope with my lot.

I get a great deal of strength from the empowerment I feel from not letting endometriosis get to me. It does its best to hurt me, to strain and suffocate me with despair, and I’ve learnt slowly but surely to just turn away and get on with life. That’s not to say I am ignoring my illness, I’m just no longer letting it be the master of me.

Endometriosis is a big part of who I am, and it forms a huge part of my identity now. It’s one of the first things that springs to mind when I have to describe myself, and it’s very hard and awkward to put something so huge and unwieldy that’s lodged deep inside of my mind and push it out of the way, but it’s very important that we all try to do this as often are we are able.

Most importantly though I’ve learnt (very slowly as the months pass) to let it fall behind me, and let more of the traits, interests and enjoyable aspects of my life come to the forefront a lot more.

Think of illness like your shadow on a hot summer’s day. You can look down upon it and focus on how black and empty and solemn your empty outline is, or you can turn around and enjoy the lovely weather.

Baby steps towards acceptance

Here are the small things I try to remind myself of that’s helped me to accept chronic illness in my life.

Figure out what you can still do

Rather than focusing on what you cannot do anymore, focus on what you still can. Before I become ill I was a very keen drummer. It formed a very large part of my identity. I still occasionally manage to get on the drums from time to time, but realistically I won’t be able to do it anywhere near as much as I used to. Instead I’ve taken up new hobbies that give me the same amount of pleasure, but aren’t quite as demanding on my body.

Figure out what it was about the thing you enjoyed doing before and think of similar things that create the same highs. You might surprise yourself with what you can still accomplish.

Here’s an example of what I mean. I replaced my love of drumming with two hobbies that tapped into the same positives drumming gave me.

Knitting is a great low energy activity that gives me the same sense of accomplishment and creativity. It requires the same ability to learn new skills, and it involves keeping my hands busy as drumming used to. Crucially it helps clear my mind, keeps me relaxed and helps me to stay awake when the fatigue is really bad.

Drumming was great exercise and I found it a great way to relax after a hard week. So I took up cycling to fill that gap. It was something I used to do years ago when I was younger (like drumming) so it was something I could take up again with the same sense of nostalgia. I have a lovely electric bike that is very comfortable to ride, with a cushioned seat (which helps me keep a straight back) as such I actually find cycling more comfortable and pain free than walking.

Doing a little bit of exercise really does help, I know it seems impossible on the worst days of pain, but I certainly feel better the days following my cycling activities than the days I don’t bother.

If doing any sort of exercise, always listen to your body and take note of the signs that it’s had enough. Always stop a bit before you’re stretching yourself too much to make sure that you’re never pushing yourself too hard.

Above all, experiment with things that you’ve never tried before. Use the time you feel unwell for something more positive and the pain and sense of loss from your chronic illness will be easier to cope with.

Surround yourself with people that understand your illness

This goes almost without saying, but illness has a way of galvanising your closest and truest friendships. You certainly find out who your friends really are when times are trying. You won’t have to constantly explain to a good friend. They’ll understand what you’re going through, and start to help you in ways only a good friend can.

If you’re worried about neglecting a friend because you can no longer do some of the things you used to do together, find new things that you can do together as a new way to nourish your relationship. It’s another great way to find new hobbies that you can actively enjoy to replace the things you’ve had to leave behind.

Keep busy

This doesn’t necessarily mean being active, but it does mean keeping your mind occupied so you’re not constantly beaten up by chronic illness.

I tend to cope better with the pain when my mind is kept together – focused on something. Your mind is still as sharp as it always was and it needs nourishment and care like the rest of your body. Stay focused on something, give yourself little goals for the day and set aside time for yourself to keep you hopeful and ready for when you can manage more.

Understand that some pain will remain with you

In many ways there are no way ways to go back to how things used to be before. A big part of acceptance of your chronic illness is reminding yourself of how you need to move forward rather than constantly looking back and wishing things were different.

I don’t like wishing – and hope for the future is a far better incentive. This means staying optimistic about what you have left and looking forward to what you enjoy and what you hope to do again. Eventually life will become exciting again and you’ll be reminded of that old feeling you had where life was a series of endless horizons stretching before you rather than one, long limitation.