I’m with Jodi! 👏👏👏👏👏
A job is how we make money, that’s it.

Untangling our identities from work is hard. But we are no more our job or lack there of, than we are our illnesses.

Our value is just in our being. 💛

Part of the problem is the culture we live in that values human doings rather than human beings. It fosters this idea that if you aren't doing something than you are nothing.
I had to tell myself over and over again that I didnt "give up my job" my job was taken from me by the Fibomyalgia. I also worked with my therapist on recognizing my self worth as a human being. We all have inherent worth that is not attached to having a career or holding a job.
It takes alot of work and cognitive behavioral therapy to change those automatic criticisms that pop up in your mind.
Keep working with your therapist and dont give up. I think anyone who has a chronic illness struggles with this. Also remember small contributions to your community or family are still contributions. Be proud of those contributions. They count.

I found it so hard. Not being able to do all the things with my kids like I used to as they where still young at the time. Not being able to do the things I would normally do. The fatigue was so overwhelming I was dropping off to sleep any chance I got. I was so depressed and crying not knowing what was going on. I had been told "you have fibromyalgia " and that's it I had to get on with it. I knew no one else with the condition so I was completely alone. The tablets were mounting up and that made me more depressed because I never took tablets before that. Crying was all I did. So this was in 2014 when it started and it was just this year I joined this group that I started to find out what's what with fibromyalgia and I'm learning new things all the time. It's still hard to deal with as I'm so independent and I hate asking people for help but I've had to start asking and it's not nice for me. But I keep my chin up keep smiling and carry on. Xx

It takes a while to get used to this, especially if you get a diagnosis when you’re younger. I was ill for many many years, but didn’t get a diagnosis until I was 47.