Still Showing Up

Posted in thelifeoftryTagged , , , , , ,

“What a good day to be proud of all the progress you made.” – unknown

Last week, my six-year-old son, Mr. D accidentally stepped on a bee and got stung. “Oh, my life is over,” he repeatedly moaned as I struggled to pick out the stinger. And he’s my less dramatic child. Yowsa – those stings hurt.

But most of the pain was gone in an hour and while the swelling and itchiness lasted about four days, there was a clearly an end in sight. How do you still show up when the pain is chronic? What does it mean to keep showing up when life asks more of you than seems possible?

In this episode of The Life of Try, I talk with Kathryn M. B. Johnson, author of Invisible, Until I’m Not, a memoir-in-essays about chronic illness, caregiving, grief, and resilience. Together, we explore what it means to live with fibromyalgia and invisible illness, how caregiving reshapes identity, and why being seen matters so deeply when pain is hard to explain.

Our conversation offers honest insight, emotional validation, and hope for anyone navigating chronic pain, caregiver burnout, loss, or the daily work of endurance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chronic illness can reshape identity, relationships, and daily life in ways that are often invisible to others.
  • Caregiving is an act of love, but it also carries grief, exhaustion, and the need for self-compassion.
  • Writing can become a lifeline—a way to process pain, preserve connection, and reclaim a sense of self.
  • Being believed and truly seen matters deeply for people living with chronic pain or complex health conditions.
  • Rest is not laziness; caring for yourself is part of being able to care for others.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful podcast episode about chronic illness, caregiving, trauma, faith, and finding strength in difficult seasons, this episode is for you.

Here are some other ways you can listen and watch Liza’s amazing journey:

Barbara Nickless on A Voice In The Dark, Online Gaming and The Power of Story – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

In this episode of The Life of Try, host Wynne Leon talks with Wall Street Journal bestselling author Barbara Nickless about her new psychological suspense novel, A Voice in the Dark. Their conversation moves from the dark corners of online gaming and internet manipulation to the real-world vulnerabilities of teenagers, families, and people searching for belonging. Barbara shares how deep research, FBI consultants, and her own curiosity shape her fiction, especially as she writes about FBI profiler Helen Belle, criminal humanist Benedict Hoffman, addiction, trauma, and the question of what draws people toward danger.This thoughtful author interview explores how storytelling can help us understand complicated human experiences, including moral injury, PTSD, addiction, grief, law enforcement, cybercrime, and the healing power of writing. Barbara also reflects on teaching writing to military veterans and civilians, researching dangerous places and difficult subjects, and using narrative to “de-other” people we might otherwise misunderstand. Key Takeaways:→A Voice in the Dark explores the dangers young people can face in online communities, especially when vulnerable teens and young adults are targeted by manipulative influencers.→Storytelling can help us “de-other” people by taking us inside their motivations, histories, and struggles in ways that facts and news stories alone often cannot.→Curiosity is at the heart of Barbara Nickless’s writing process. Her research into online gaming, FBI investigations, addiction, trauma, and moral injury helps make her fiction vivid, compassionate, and grounded in real human experience.→Researching modern crime fiction requires balancing accuracy with readability, particularly when writing about cybercrime, AI, online manipulation, and evolving law enforcement tools.→The conversation highlights a core Life of Try theme: trying begins with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to enter unfamiliar worlds in order to understand ourselves and one another more deeply.If you love conversations about books, personal growth, curiosity, crime fiction, psychological thrillers, resilience, and what it means to keep trying, this episode offers a rich and compassionate look at the stories that help us make sense of ourselves and one another.📘 Order A Voice In the Dark: https://www.amazon.com/Voice-Benedict-Hoffman-Helen-Belle-ebook/dp/B0FTGGHSWL/🌐 Show notes and more inspiration: https://wynneleon.com🔔 Subscribe for more: Subscribe to The Life of Try for more conversations on: personal growth, creativity, reinvention, resilience, writing, and mindset.ABOUT MEHi, I’m Wynne Leon — host of The Life of Try, a personal growth and self-improvement podcast exploring resilience, reinvention, uncertainty, and the courage to keep trying.Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real-life stories, I share insights to help you navigate change, get unstuck, and move forward with more intention.🌍 Website: https://wynneleon.com🎥 Watch Next➡️ Letting Go Of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving➡️ 48: How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience and Coming Alive➡️ How to Finally Write That Book You've Been Dreaming About | Writing Motivation
  1. Barbara Nickless on A Voice In The Dark, Online Gaming and The Power of Story
  2. Embracing What Makes You Different | Kym Gordon Moore
  3. Motive + Means = Opportunity: A Life of Try Story
  4. How Writing Helps Us Survive Chronic Illness and Loss
  5. Near Death, Deep Faith, New Life | Liza Anderson’s Extraordinary Story

Links for this episode:

How Writing Helps Save Us From Chronic Illness and Loss transcript

Invisible, Until I’m Not on Amazon

Kathryn’s website

Kathryn’s weekly newsletter on Substack

Kathryn Johnson on LinkedIn

The Crossing: My Near Death Experience with Jesus by Liza Anderson on Amazon

Other Episodes you Might Enjoy:

⁠ Letting Go Of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving⁠

4⁠8: How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience and Coming Alive⁠

⁠How to Reclaim Fun in Adult Life | Mike Rucker, PhD, on Joy, Burnout and the Fun Habit⁠

(featured photo from Pexels)

36 thoughts on “Still Showing Up”

  1. This is so true: caregiving is an act of love. Hugs to all caregivers and ill people. Moving episode and podcast, Wynne.

    Like

  2. Thanks to Ms. Johnson and to you, Wynne. There is a complexity to the understanding of pain and one that is often beyond us. We do not know the pain of another as a lived experience in our bodies. Indeed, we don’t fully remember (as a “felt” experience) what severe pain was like in our own bodies once it is gone, although we do know of it as a “factual” experience after it has departed — as something that was “really bad” that happened to me. I could go on. Best wishes to Ms. Johnson. May she have the best possible life going forward.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. Thank you for sharing this, Wynne. I can relate to the chronic pain issue. I agree with what Kathryn says about knowing your own body and continuing to do what is best for yourself. It seems doctors just want to issue you the latest pill, no matter the side effects. It is really frustrating and demoralizing.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. This episode stirs memories and feelings for when I was caregiving mom at the end of her life. I can relate to the challenge of self care while caring for another with chronic pain. I did what I could but still wish I could have done more and been more present for her.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Oof, poor Mr D! Hope he feels better.

    I had chronic Shingles for around 10 years, on and off, mostly on, starting when I was in my mid 20s. I’ve never felt more unsupported and judged by people, and the worst were in the churches I attended. Chronic illness and pain wasn’t supposed to happen to a you g person, so many chose to believe I was just making g it up or exaggerating. Chronic pain quickly leads to sleep deprivation which then leads to depression, no e of which was understood or supported. I learned to suffer in silence and be invisible in the ranks of those who did receive sympathy, for dealing with their judgmental behavior was very hurtful. I’m happy to be out of that health crisis and out of the congregations. Interestingly, my health improved a lot when I left church.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That is so interesting about the pain clearing up when you left the church, Tamara. Hmm, I do believe the Universe sends signs. I’m so sorry for both the pain and the judgment. Terrible! You’ve done so much healing – it is so impressive!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for seeing and understanding Wynne. It was a long journey for both my daughter and I. Thankfully we’ve put the worst behind and are fully engaged in following our joy.

        Like

  8. Looking forward to the listen, Wynne! This, especially, draws me in:
    “Writing can become a lifeline—a way to process pain, preserve connection, and reclaim a sense of self.”
    💝💝💝

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I imagine how hard it would be to accept one’s chronic illness physically, mentally, and emotionally. How hard would it be to have no idea how you’re going to feel from day to day! It sounds like Kathryn had an incredible, compassionate doctor.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. this is so timely, as i’ll be visiting a family member today who is suffering with pain and illness that is only getting worse, and i’m bringing him a journal to write what he feels, and tell his story, whatever he needs to get out. it’s hard as a caregiver or even a visitor, to know what to say and do, so i try to let the other person lead and tell me or show me. maybe it’s just listening, and maybe more, but it is important to care for yourself as well. i remember this after being my mother’s caretaker, my children said one day, ‘you look emotionally exhausted.’ they made me soup and bread and we ate a quiet dinner together, it was such a kind and understanding gesture.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, what an incredible full-circle comment. From the care you are providing to your family member, caring for your mom and your kids caring for you. So sweet! Love the idea to bring a journal, Beth. Hope your visit went well.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. To be fair, I got stung by a bee or wasp or something (I never saw it, but yowza, I felt it) last summer and briefly thought my life was over. Then again, Tara often throws around the word “melodramatic” when describing me…

    Liked by 1 person

  12. This tidbit enticed me, Wynne, so I’ll listen later. The topic resonates because we have been caregivers. And I have dealt with invisible pain. It’s hard when we’re hurting but others can’t see why. Thankfully, mine is under control. My only wish is that things would stay the same (even as my body ages) for another 20-25 years. 🙂 Anyway, thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 2 people

  13. A great and timely podcast! These two points are spot on, “Being believed and truly seen matters deeply for people living with chronic pain or complex health conditions. Rest is not laziness; caring for yourself is part of being able to care for others.”

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Oh wow, what a powerful episode and very timely Wynne. We find so many people who try to get through chronic pain the best way possible. It certainly gives you the motivation to find options to get through such diagnosis. Liza’s story is amazing. Thanks so much for sharing her story! 🙏🏽

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Seems like the most important lesson–especially for women– is to tend to our well-being, not run ourselves to the ground trying to do and be everything. Learn to calm our nervous system, prioritize sleep, spend time in nature, and other preventative health measures. I’ve had to learn this the hard way.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. So good to see you, Evelyn! I think you’ve said it well. And I love your comment about calming our nervous system. So true – it helps everyone around. Thank you for the great comment!

      Like

  17. “Make room for love” is a wonderful guidelines and principle for life – and can be fuel and mantra for caregiving, especially in the sandwich generation and dealing with one’s own chronic illness.

    What an inspiring story, Wynne, of care, kindness, patience and perseverance. Love the tidbits about Michael and the care and love he introduced into Kathryn’s life as well. 💕🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  18. “rest is not laziness” I feel like some people need to hear that on repeat for a while before it actually sinks in. We’re so wired to equate rest with giving up. Going to listen to this one properly, Wynne.

    Like

  19. Oh ouch!! Those times that sting us do feel as Mr D said and yet a good chance to strengthen his resolve that we do get through them. Nicely shared and thoughtful conversations, Wynne! Can’t wait to listen and catch up but now I’m supposed to be sleeping and I best hurry before the light finds me! Excellent post, Wynne!
    🐝❤️🙌🏽

    Like

Comments are closed.