By Samuel Fitch
The idea of self-advocacy is something that becomes incredibly important when you live with multiple sclerosis or care for someone who does. There are many ways to advocate for yourself, in medical decisions, in treatment conversations, and in daily life. One area that often gets overlooked, however, is how we advocate for our time.
Time is the one resource none of us ever get back. They are not making any more of it, and our time on this earth is limited. That reality becomes even more meaningful when you live with a chronic condition like MS. Energy, focus, and physical strength are not always unlimited resources, which means the way we choose to spend our time matters even more.
Because of that, I encourage people to run their commitments through a simple filter, Is this the best use of my time right now? Sometimes people will ask for your time, an event, a task, an obligation, or a favor. Before saying yes, it is worth considering whether that time would be better spent resting, recovering, connecting with family, or simply allowing your body the space it needs to recharge.
Another challenge many of us face is the fear of missing out. It is easy to feel like we should say yes to everything so we do not miss opportunities, experiences, or social moments. But sometimes that pressure causes us to give away time that our bodies truly need for healing and restoration.
Personally, I have learned to be very protective of my time. One way I practice that is by setting aside one day each week to slow down. For me, that day is Sunday. I wake up, enjoy my coffee, go to church with my family, and then spend the rest of the day resting and preparing for the week ahead. That rhythm helps me reset physically, mentally, and spiritually.
At the same time, I also recognize that many people living with MS find themselves in a very different situation. Physical limitations can sometimes keep people at home more than they would like. When that happens, it can feel like there is “too much time” on your hands. But that does not mean your time is any less valuable.
Your time still matters.
How you spend those hours, whether in solitude, reflection, hobbies, learning, connection, or rest, can greatly influence your quality of life. Just because you may be home more often does not mean your time is automatically available for everyone else’s requests or expectations. Self-advocacy means protecting that space. It means balancing activity with rest. It means prioritizing what matters most. For many of us, those priorities come down to a few foundational things, faith, family, health, and purpose.
