Which Stage of the Chronic Illness Journey Are You At?

This quick quiz will help find out which one of the 7 stages of chronic illness acceptance you are at right now. Just fill in your information below and click NEXT to get started.

Full Name *

Email *

Which statement fits you best? *

I'm not diagnosed formally yet

I'm newly Diagnosed (less than 1 year)

I was diagnosed over 1 year ago but less than 5 years ago

I was diagnosed over 5 years ago

How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? *

I brace myself for the day ahead

I drag myself up and hope that it will be OK

I take my time and adjust based on how I feel

I have a gentle routine that supports me

What is your relationship with rest? *

I avoid it - resting feels like a failure

I collapse into it then feel guilty

I schedule rest breaks but don't always stick to them

I honour rest, it is part of my healing

When you flare or crash, what is your first thought? *

"Not again! I can't deal with this."

"Shit. I must have done something wrong."

"Okay. What do I need to do right now?"

"This is OK. I will handle it gently."

What impact does you condition have when you plan your week? *

I carry on as if I'm not sick - I ignore it and power through

I think about it constantly, unsure what is safe and what isn't.

I plan with it in mind, even if it isn't perfect

I work with it as a partner not a problem

How do you feel about medical appointments? *

I dread them and feel dismissed

I feel confused and overwhelmed

I am better at asking questions and advocating for myself now

I go in to appointments feeling calm and informed

How do you speak to yourself when things go wrong? *

"Why can't I just be normal"

"I should be able to handle this"

"I'm doing my best, this is hard"

"I can trust myself, my body is not failing me"

What does self care mean to you? *

I don't have the time or energy

I know that I should but it always gets bumped

I have added small moments that help

It is part of my daily rhythm now

How do you feel about asking for help? *

I don't. I should be able to handle it on my own

I ask sometimes for help but feel guilty

I ask when I need to but find it hard

I have built support into my life

What do you believe you need most right now? *

I just need to keep going, there is no time to stop

A plan, I feel so lost

Understanding, from myself and others

More support to live well in my body

How do you respond when people say "but you don't look sick' *

I smile and pretend that it doesn't sting

I feel hurt and unseen

I try to educate and explain

I have stopped needing to justify myself

How do you respond when someone says "how are you?" *

I say "I'm fine" even when I'm not

I want to tell them how I feel but I worry that they will judge me

I give a version that matches who is asking

I speak honestly, my people get it

Describe your energy day to day? *

I push through even when I crash

It is really unpredictable, I never know

I plan around my energy the best I can

I honour my energy and rhythms with compassion

How do you respond to your symptoms? *

I ignore them and keep going

I'm a worrier, I head straight to google

I like to track so that I can notice patterns

I accept what is happening and adjust what I do based on what is happening

What is your mindset around managing your condition? *

I pretend that it is not there

I feel lost and unsure

I am starting to explore what helps

I feel calm and clear about what works

How often do you feel resentful or stretched too thin? *

Constantly, I say yes too often and I regret it after.

Often, I don't know how to say no

Sometimes, I am learning to pause before I say yes.

Rarely, I protect my mind and my energy

How do you relate to your body? *

It is the enemy, I don't trust it

I am scared of what it might do next

I am learning to listen to it

I treat it with respect and softness

When you make plans how do you feel? *

Anxious, I may have to cancel

I overthink if I will have the energy

I leave room for flexibility

I only commit when it aligns with my values

When was the last time that you felt proud of yourself? *

I can't remember

I brushed it off

I am working on celebrating wins

I am proud of everything, I am strong and resilient

How often do you feel "too much" or "not enough"? *

Constantly, I am failing everyone

Often I doubt myself a lot

I am challenging those thoughts

I know that I am enough

What is you biggest frustration right now? *

That no one understands

That I can't do what I used to

That I'm still figuring it out

That I'm not quite where I want to be yet

What is your hope for the next stage in your journey? *

To get through today

To feel more stable and in control

To build a life that supports me

To keep thriving and supporting others

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