Affirmations are short, positive statements that can help shift your mindset, focus your thoughts, and nurture self-belief. They are a simple yet powerful tool to support your healing journey and overall well-being. While affirmations do not replace therapy, medical treatment, or professional guidance, they can complement these approaches by helping you stay centered, reduce stress, and reinforce positive mental habits.

Being chronically ill is already overwhelming. Your body is fighting battles most people cannot see, your energy is limited, and your emotional resilience is tested daily. On top of that, many of us carry a deeply ingrained habit: people pleasing. We try to make everyone comfortable, we take on the emotional burdens of others, and we stretch ourselves thin, often at the cost of our own health.

Gratitude. It sounds simple, right? But here’s the thing: in our fast-paced, always-on world, it’s easy to overlook the power of simply noticing and appreciating what we have. Practicing gratitude isn’t just about being polite or saying thank you. It’s about reshaping how we see ourselves, our lives, and our relationships.

Self-love starts with connection. It’s about tuning in, noticing your thoughts and feelings, and treating yourself with the same care you’d give a close friend. When we neglect this connection, we can get stuck in cycles of self-doubt, harsh inner criticism, or chasing approval from others.

When I got sick, I started meditating. At first, it was really weird because I was truly the most restless person in the world. Inner peace? Balance? Not a chance. That’s why it was so hard for me. I also wrote a chapter about it in my book "Miss Sunshine & der böse Wolf, Mit Achtsamkeit zu einem gesünderen Leben" and interviewed a meditation teacher. Over time, I got better and better, and now I actually look forward to my meditation sessions.

What does mindfulness actually mean, and how can we truly integrate it into our daily lives? Mindfulness is the conscious awareness of the present moment without judgment. It comes from the Buddhist tradition, but it has also gained significance in Western psychology and therapy.

The self-concept is the idea we have of ourselves – the sum of our beliefs, thoughts, values, and feelings about ourselves. It includes how we see ourselves (self-image), how we believe others see us (social image), and how we would like to be (ideal image).