Dating isn’t always easy trying to find a potential match, but it can be even more difficult when you have a chronic condition because you never know how someone will react. Not all diseases are visible, which can make interpretation more difficult.
Deciding when to disclose your illness to a potential lover is entirely up to you, but consider telling them at the beginning of your interaction. It can be difficult to reveal something so personal to a stranger you don’t know and trust, but it can also help you weed out people who aren’t worth your time. If someone won’t accept you all and love you the way you are, then that person isn’t worth dating.
If you’re anxious about discussing your illness with a potential date, why not use technology to your advantage? Tell them via email, text or phone.
When people find out about your illness, their first reaction may be shock or discomfort, so giving them time to unravel this information before you sit down for a date can help you decide whether it’s the right thing to move forward. Plus, when you meet, they will have the opportunity to let it settle down and ask meaningful questions about your illness and how it affects your life.
Advance is scary, but it’s a very useful dating tool that can help you and play to your best assets! If your illness is causing weight loss or gain, buy clothing that fits well and accentuates your favorite body parts. Experiencing hair loss? Try a cool hat or updo. Find out what you like most about yourself and emphasize those aspects while minimizing the things that make you uncomfortable. Everyone is full of confidence.
When it comes to your illness, people follow your lead. The more relaxed you are about it, the better they will feel about it. If you feel bad about it, they will feel bad about it too. Lead by example and don’t walk around with signs that say you are the victim. You have to love yourself before others can love you — chronically or not.
Things don’t always go according to plan, so adaptability is key to avoiding some of the frustrations of dating a chronic illness. You may have just spent a few hours getting ready for a date and then realized you need to take a nap. It’s ok. Sometimes your significant other may want to do something that your body doesn’t allow you to do. It can be frustrating at first, even embarrassing.
But once you and your partner understand that plans can sometimes change, you’ll find that it doesn’t need to negatively impact your relationship.
We tend to associate the appearance of a date closely with our brains, but there are many ways to have a good time. Do something outdoors, enjoy art, watch a movie, and pack snacks at home. Who cares if your dating life is a little different from the romantic comedies you see in movies?
Life happens, and the more you are willing to adapt, the better you will be able to love and be loved.
No one can control a chronic disease that’s why it is chronic, but we can control how we react to situations that having a chronic disease can put us in and find the right people who can accept you without trying to cure you for both of you Build positive and caring relationships.
My favorite quote “If you love yourself, you will never be without love!”
