Setting Goals, Chronically-Ill Style

I don’t typically do New Year’s resolutions. They’re too difficult to keep with chronic illnesses. Last year, however, I tried something new. I did a word of the year. It seemed to work better than a specific resolution because it was more flexible, and that flexibility is key for those of us with chronic illnesses. 

As I was looking ahead to 2025 and considering my personal goals, I had to remind myself constantly of my limitations. Planner Krystal is usually the pre-HM Krystal. I have to remember that I need to be flexible and to show myself grace when I don’t meet my own expectations (like getting this post published more timely).

Be flexible.

As I mentioned, I used a word of the year in 2024 instead of setting a specific goal, and it worked really well. I wanted to grow in being more gracious toward others. So, I used watercolors to paint a background and hand-lettered the word “gracious” on a piece of watercolor paper, and I stuck that piece of paper at eye level next to my bedroom door so I would see it every time I left my room. I might not have remembered it as often as I would have liked, but it was a good reminder to show grace throughout the year.

And the best part about the word of the year was there was no guilt if I didn’t do anything. It was simply a word stuck to the wall as a reminder.

When you have a chronic illness, it’s difficult to be consistent because your illness can interrupt your life at any moment. Finding ways to accomplish goals that also allow you to be flexible feels like using cheat codes. But I promise, it’s not cheating.

Show yourself grace.

God shows you grace, so why shouldn’t you? If I can’t exercise today or all this week because of my migraines, it’s not a sin. (Or if I couldn’t get a blog post published when it should be, it may not be good for my stats, but it’s not a sin.) God doesn’t hold that against me. Why should I beat myself up over that? Yes, I should be a good steward of the body God gave me. But when my body is physically incapable of exercise, I am not being a good steward by forcing myself to push through. In fact, that is bad stewardship. There is a time and a place to rest.

Chronic illnesses interfere with life. Consistency isn’t always possible. And that’s OK. God gives grace. So should we. Take a nap and try again later.

These are thoughts that have helped me as I’m making goals for 2025. I hope they help you too. Happy goal setting!