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Josie George's avatar

I feel this right down to my bones. The most brutal, honest teacher there is, and every day I discover there's still more to learn. Here's to this wild, savage, beautiful journey. Thank you so much for sharing it. It helps us all to better find our way. x

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

The wild and savage journey.... ahhh..... so poetic and true. Thank you dear Josie ❤️.

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Amy Greenberg's avatar

This is true self-knowledge. Bravo for you!

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

Amy, thank you for being here. I'm touched by your words thank you.

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Loucifer Mourningstar's avatar

🩵🩵🩵

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

🩵🩵🩵

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Liz Chambers's avatar

Kitch, your words are beautiful, like you. I'm so sad you've suffered, but so happy you've found your peace. Suffering brings wisdom in its way, but you were always a thinker.

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

Lovely Liz. Seeing your words makes my eyes want to leak. Thank you ❤️❤️❤️.

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Jessica  Bull's avatar

Beautifully written piece🙏

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

Thank you lovely Jess. What a joy to receive your words today.

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Karen Rippon's avatar

It is now 29 years since I became ill with M.E. I was nearly consumed by it but survived, albeit in a different life to the one I envisaged. It brought me Mike, another M.E sufferer, 28 years ago and, for that I'm truly grateful. My body has returned to me in a limited way and I don't suffer as much as I once did; for that I'm extremely thankful.

I love your words. Thank you.

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

Karen, I feel your words deeply. Yes, I agree, we live a different life don't we. Not what we would have picked for ourselves.... it takes such courage to travel this different way, this different path.

Thank you for your generous words, I receive them with such gratitude. I am so glad you are here.

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Elizabeth's avatar

Emma: thank you for this profound essay. I, too, look forward to learning more from you.

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

My goodness, Elizabeth, you made my heart sing, thank you for being here.

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Sara Nesson's avatar

This is such a beautiful, honest, sacred piece of writing, Emma! I’m am so thrilled you are sharing this hard-won wisdom. Yes, CFS is a master class for the soul. I would not have willingly picked it as a teacher, but it’s fascinating, isn’t it, how much joy can be found in a life of profound limitation? And, as you note, a different kind of joy, less dependent on “ideal conditions.” I look forward to learning more from you.

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

Sara, I am so sincerely touched by your words, thank you for your generosity and wonderful welcome. I am so glad to have connected with you.

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Anina Marcus's avatar

You speak deep and bold

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

Anina, thank you 🙏.

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Arabella Wentworth's avatar

I feel this. You wrote: “Healing it turns out, isn’t about the body at all. The body and good health isn’t the vehicle for joy and liberation society told me it was.”. Exactly!!! We are conditioned to think healing involves good physical health & the eradication of symptoms, but that’s not the truth. You can be healed, and whole, and still have physical sickness. Sometimes the outside does not mirror the inside. I’m glad to read this article. 🥰🥰🥰👌👌👌🙏🙏🙏🙏🙌🙌🙌🙌

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Cat D'Arcy's avatar

Us Wisdom Keepers were removed from the distractions of this modern world so we can realign with our true soul's purpose. The tricky part is finding what that is...

Perhaps yours is exactly what you're doing, putting the brutal suffering into words to help guide others to their own enlightenment. 💜

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The Truth Diaries's avatar

I am glad you are hear, sharing your thoughts, connecting with us all.

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Trindi Mitchell's avatar

Emma, I am so grateful that I found you here on Substack. I live with lupus, and your words have given me another perspective on healing. Thank you. 💜

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Esmée Noelle Covey's avatar

Beautifully expressed! Getting sick young, getting sicker over the years, and then never getting well was - absolutely - the very best thing that could have possibly happened to me as a whole person. I, too, have been "saved" in the process. I can honestly declare with Saint John Chrysostom, "Glory to God for All Things!"

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Amber Horrox ✨Warrior Within✨'s avatar

“Happiness is an inside job” I put at the top of a door in my old flat. Last year, I was so happy from the inside out, I was dreaming about feeling happy 💛✨

People pleasing and perfectionism have also been massive to recover from! I eventually realised I had never said no to anything in my life. It was a fun life, I was the life and soul of the party so I ALWAYS got invitees to the party, the wedding, the night out, the celebration. But my body wanted me to listen. To the extent that in the end it screamed relentlessly. Making itself known and heading the most depressingly agonising painful way with every passing day.

I, too, see the was no other possible way for me to wake up to all this. It had to be complete disability by illness. I had to have everything stripped from me; my job, my career, my income, my home. My old unsustainable way of life. I’m glad for that gift now 🎁 I wouldn’t have learnt any other way.

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