The WordWise Project

If you live with chronic pain, some of these may feel familiar:

• You still want things out of life but don’t know how to affect positive change

• You’re feeling isolated and left out of all the fun your friends and family are having

• You’re feeling some undercurrent of resentment toward your body

• You’re wondering if there’s a purpose to this experience

• You’re having trouble remembering who you really are and what your identity is now

• You aren’t sure how to navigate social interactions and invitations, and feel embarrassed by your circumstances

• You sometimes feel like the pain is the one in control and you want your power back

• You feel a sense of grief about “the life you had before” and other things that feel like loss or disruption

• You find it difficult to take breaks and tend to yourself

• You feel you should do it all, in ways you did before, and feel guilty or a sense of failure when that doesn’t work

• You have difficulty identifying and speaking to your needs or asking for help

I understand. I’ve been there. Living with chronic pain and other chronic illnesses for many years has taught me how nuanced and complex the inner experience can be — not just physically, but emotionally and existentially as well. The questions, the grief, the frustration, and the sense of disorientation are real, and they deserve care and attention. 

What I’ve learned over time is that while pain itself may not be fully within our control, how we relate to it often is. There are ways to shift perspective, soften long-held patterns of self-judgment, and reconnect with parts of ourselves that may have felt lost along the way. These adjustments don’t happen overnight, and they aren’t meant to. They unfold gradually, through intention, reflection, and small, meaningful choices.

Through my writing, books, and creative offerings, I share what has helped me re-engage with life in a fuller, more compassionate way — not as a prescription, but as an invitation. My hope is that these reflections help you ask new questions, recognize your own inner resources, and find language for an experience that is often difficult to name. This is your path, and you move at your own pace. I’m here to offer words, perspective, and companionship along the way.

Here you’ll find my books, written reflections, and thoughtful resources for living alongside chronic pain.