Hey friend,

Have you ever been asked to describe yourself, not your health, not your kids, just you, and realized you didn't know how to answer?

If your whole sense of self is wrapped up in being sick and being a caregiver, what happens to you when those things get harder?

Do you ever think "I don't feel like myself anymore" and wonder if that version of you is still in there somewhere?

I'm Ashley — a mom living with chronic illness in a neurodivergent family. If you're dealing with constant fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and broken sleep while trying to keep up with your kids, you're not alone. Chronic Illness Moms is a podcast for moms with chronic illness or chronic symptoms who want stress relief, better sleep, and simple, realistic habits that actually work inside a full, demanding life.

In this episode, I ask the question that chronic illness moms rarely get asked: who are you beyond the diagnosis? Not who you were before you got sick, who you are right now. I share why letting chronic illness become your whole identity makes the hard seasons harder, then walk through three questions worth sitting with: what's still true about you that predates all of this, what you actually want for yourself (not as a recovery goal, but as a person), and what becomes possible when you start holding both: this is hard AND I am more than this.

Part 3: Resources and Links Mentioned

• 1:1 chronic health coaching: https://ashleybraden.com/coaching
• Join the free Chronic Health Moms Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chronichealthmoms
• Hearthwell Naturals magnesium cream (mentioned for bedtime wind-down): https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals

Related Episodes:

234. What Your Neurodivergent Kid's Nervous System Is Already Learning From Yours (And How to Make It Work For Them) 212. Why Venting Feels Good But Trains Your Brain for More Stress

Connect with Me:

• Contact → hello@ashleybraden.com
• Facebook Page → https://www.facebook.com/chronicillnessmoms
• Facebook Group → https://www.facebook.com/groups/chronichealthmoms
• Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/chronicillnessmoms
• YouTube → https://bit.ly/chronicillnessyoutube

Next Steps:

• Name one thing that is true about you that has nothing to do with your illness, your kids' diagnoses, or your role as a caregiver. Write it down.
• Join a free community of chronic illness moms who get it, no explanations required: facebook.com/groups/chronichealthmoms
• Ready to start building toward who you actually want to be? Book a Feel Better Coaching call at ashleybraden.com/coaching