Taking Ownership: My Journey Toward Better Mental and Physical Wellness

Posted on April 24, 2026 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

There comes a point where continuing the same patterns will only lead you further away from the life you actually want to live. For me, that moment wasn’t dramatic. It was quiet, but undeniable. Between living with multiple sclerosis, navigating the sudden loss of my mom, and recognizing that my overall health was trending in the wrong direction, something had to change.

Not eventually. Not when it was convenient. Now.

For a long time, I operated the way many people do—focused on responsibilities, pushing through fatigue, and accepting certain limitations as “just the way things are.” Over time, the signs became harder to ignore. Low energy. Brain fog. Poor cardiovascular health. A general sense that I wasn’t operating at the level I knew I was capable of.

Then a simple but heavy realization settled in. I still have a lot of life left to live. That thought forced a question I couldn’t avoid—am I doing what’s necessary to be here for it?

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Empowering Myself

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Teena Palathanam

I have realized that every time I go to a doctor’s appointment, I walk in already feeling guilty — mentally preparing to defend myself, almost expecting judgment. Before the doctor starts asking about my exercise routines and eating habits, I am literally saying in my mind, “Guilty as charged”. But guilt doesn’t move us forward. Conscious choices do.

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Life is Better Off Autopilot

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Claudia Chavez

I am a creature of habit. I naturally stick to routines that work, and it is hard for me to change them once they feel comfortable. Routines can be helpful, but sometimes they make life feel automatic, like you are on autopilot, going through the motions without really noticing what is happening. One way I shake up that feeling is with micro-adventures.

Micro-adventures are small, simple, and surprisingly powerful ways to break out of habits. They invite curiosity, spark creativity, and give your day a fresh perspective. The best way to escape autopilot and that stuck feeling is by trying something different.

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Well Well Wellness

Posted on April 15, 2026 by MSAA

By Angel Blair

When it comes to wellness and how we take care of our minds and bodies, there’s definitely some leeway as to what works for each person and what type of wellness is being referred to. If we’re being honest, I was never a big fan of physical exercise and fitness for myself. Not that I don’t think it’s important, because it truly is. I just never had enough drive or motivation to stick to a particular exercise regimen. I don’t take physical wellness for granted or disregard it in any way. It just took me some time to realize that physical wellness is merely one cog that makes up the wellness machine.

Mental and emotional wellness are two other vital pieces in the realm, and I found that these are the ones I can get on board with. Without knowledge of it, I was fostering these facets of wellness with things that I do in my day-to-day. And they’re things that I enjoy, go figure! They may not be obvious examples of wellness but that’s the great part about this theory. It can look so different and represent various things to people. There’s no “right” way to achieve wellness goals. What matters is that they support your body’s needs and promote good health.

I’ve always enjoyed writing, ever since I was young. It helps me to process things and allows me a space to be creative and honest. I also love to read. This activity provides a quiet restfulness and a chance to slow things down. The other surprising endeavor that I found nurtures my personal wellness is cleaning. I know, it sounds odd and a bit atypical compared to other wellness activities. But there’s something familiar and relaxing about it. I like the feeling of accomplishment it provides, and it also lets me jam out to my favorite music.

Maybe these activities wouldn’t work for you, or maybe they would. You may already have certain routines or tasks that bring you joy, positive physical effects, or a sense of purpose and accomplishment. But you may not have realized that these satisfying ventures are concurrently supporting your personal wellness too. Perhaps because you thought wellness had to look a certain way. What a pleasant surprise!

About Angel:

My name is Angel Blair, I am a mom to beautiful twin girls and hold degrees in counseling from schools outside of the Philadelphia area. I’ve worked with the MS community in the past, and am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in helping others. I enjoy spending time with my family, writing, reading, and traveling.

When Wellness is Overwhelming

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Dana Carney

Any person who has seen a healthcare professional has probably felt a certain way when being asked any question that pertains to their personal wellness. It stands to reason then, that those who see a healthcare professional more often because of their diagnosis get to feel that feeling a whole lot more. What feeling? Well, if you’re like me, the questions…

“Do you exercise?”

“How many hours do you exercise? ”

“Do you eat fast food? How many times a week?”

“How often do you have soft drinks? ”

“What does your diet look like?”

…evoke a sinking feeling I can only describe as guilt mixed with defensiveness. I imagine the “right” answers. The “perfect” healthy lifestyle that would result in my doctor beaming with pride while writing down my answers, maybe giving me a gold star and an A+ on my ‘Life’ report card.

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Connecting with Kindness and Compassion

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Teena Palathanam

Kindness is something we encounter more often than we realize. At some point, each of us has been at the receiving end of someone’s patience, and those moments stay with us. When we choose to be kind, we keep that ripple moving forward. What makes kindness such a powerful virtue is that it costs nothing, carries no expectations, and does not require grand gestures or public displays. In fact, it is usually the small, random, and quiet acts that brighten someone’s day the most. Life is short, and choosing kindness is one of the simplest ways to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. Sometimes it is as easy as holding the door for someone, letting a parent with restless kids go ahead in line, or offering a smile when someone looks overwhelmed.

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When Strength Makes It Hard to Let Others In

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Claudia Chavez

Strength and self-reliance are often worn like a badge of honor. For many people, especially those living with chronic illness or ongoing uncertainty, strength becomes synonymous with survival. It allows us to push through difficult days, but it often comes at the cost of deep exhaustion and a missed opportunity for connecting with others. Being strong and self-reliant is admirable, yet it can also make it harder to receive support from those who care about us. Letting others in and choosing vulnerability can feel uncomfortable or even unsafe when independence has become our default.

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More Than Just the Sniffles: Navigating Colds and Flu with MS

Posted on February 9, 2026 by MultipleSclerosis.net

For the average person, catching a cold is a minor inconvenience—a few days of tissues and cough syrup before bouncing back to work. But for those of us living with multiple sclerosis (MS), the narrative is often drastically different. We know that a “simple” bug can feel like a seismic event. As one community member vividly shared, “mundane ailments can knock us down for the count.” What might be a fleeting annoyance for our friends and family can hit us with the force of a freight train, leaving us drained and vulnerable.

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Know Yourself to Reach Your Goals

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Claudia Chavez

Setting goals is easy, but holding ourselves accountable is where the real work begins. We often imagine that achieving a goal is simply about motivation, but it also involves structure, self-awareness, and creating the right environment. Accountability isn’t about pressure or perfection; it is about building habits that support the version of ourselves we are trying to become.

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Jumpstarting 2026

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Teena Palathanam

The wheels have turned again, bringing us to the beginning of a brand-new year. This is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and identify the changes one would like to make this year to bring more growth and fulfillment to their life. Setting resolutions for yourself can give a sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem when positive results are achieved.

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