How I learnt to appreciate the little things again
Emily, who has experienced physical and mental health problems, says her life changed when she started looking for small joys each day.
For most of my teenage years I suffered with poor health. Then at 21 things got a whole lot worse.
After developing sepsis I was diagnosed with a severe form of endometriosis and adenomyosis, alongside a multitude of other chronic illnesses. This resulted in years in and out of hospital, constant appointments, and three major surgeries. My most recent, in November 2025, resulted in me entering surgical menopause at just 27, after undergoing a total hysterectomy.
Not only have I suffered with my physical health, my mental health has seriously declined. I have anxiety, PTSD, depression and OCD. I’m also being investigated for ADHD and Autism.
For much of my life, I’ve struggled with my mental health. In school I struggled with severe anxiety. For many years I have been on waiting lists for therapy and mental health support, but I have yet to receive it. I know I'm not the only one in this situation.
"As you lay in bed on a flare-up day, attend another appointment or try another treatment, you often find yourself asking why me?"
Grieving for what my life used to be has been at the forefront of my everyday life. As you lay in bed on a flare-up day, attend another appointment or try another treatment, you often find yourself asking why me?
Scrolling on social media definitely doesn't help this, as you tend to compare your life to someone else's. But all this stopped last year when I realised I needed to make the most of what I had and what I could do. I was going to start finding the little joys in every-day things.
"I put down my phone, have stopped making the pointless comparisons and find the little, beautiful joys in everyday life."
For me this was, gardening, finding my love for art and creativity again, writing poetry, learning a new language and simply getting outside on a sunny day and listening to the sounds around me. I am grateful to live in the countryside and I adore the sounds of the birds chirping! Starting something new didn't have to mean starting something big, it was just something enjoyable. Now everyday I make sure I do something that gives me pleasure, I put down my phone, have stopped making the pointless comparisons, and and find the little, beautiful joys in everyday life.
Let’s keep talking and let’s keep looking for those little things in life that can bring us joy.
For others going through chronic illness or mental health challenges, I get how you feel. The world seems so heavy, but we are stronger than we know. And there are simple things we can do to improve our lives. I adore my garden, writing poems and finding my love for creating again has hugely helped my mental health, alongside my renewed love of nature.
Mental health is a part of our everyday life, and we should never be afraid to say how we feel, talking to my friends and family has been vital to my wellbeing. So let’s keep talking, and let’s keep looking for those little things in life that can bring us joy.
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