How having a blog can help chronically ill people?

If you ever wondered if having a blog can help chronically ill people, you came to the right place.

If you suffer from a chronic condition, you may feel trapped by constant flare-ups of symptoms, and like my dear wife, you may not be physically able to go to work.

Blogs used to be hobbies and journals, these days you can build a blog and have a beautiful life, that can help you cope better with your chronic condition.

So, in a nutshell, here’s a quick answer to why having a blog can help chronically ill people:

Blogs provide an outlet for people with chronic illnesses. They are a source of support and information for others dealing with similar conditions who understand what it’s like to live with a chronic condition. Above all, you earn money blogging.

I have a chronically ill wife…

My wife suffers from two (not so rare) chronic conditions.

Her primary condition is stage IV deep infiltrating endometriosis. It is a debilitating chronic illness that affects 1 in 10 women around the world.

Endometriosis occurs when a tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside of the uterus. It can grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the pelvic lining, and even in other areas of the body, such as the intestines.

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is when the endometriosis lesions are found deep within the pelvic tissues and cause adhesions (internal scarring) that can lead to organ entrapment.

Putting her fibroids aside, my wife also has fibromyalgia which is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, brain fog, by tenderness in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.

What she goes through can be impossible to quickly describe in a few sentences, therefore it can be very tiring for her trying to endlessly explain her conditions to people.

Luckily, my health blog gives her a voice she wouldn’t normally have. And, because this very blog is about living with chronic illnesses, she connects with other people who understand what she is going through.

How having a blog can help?

There are many ways how your blog can help the chronically ill and their partners. To name a few, I give some examples below, and then I give more details about them.

• Blogs are therapeutic.
• Blogging can help build a community.
• Blogging can be a form of self-care.
• Blogging can help fight the stigma around chronic illness.
• Blogs provide an income.

Now, let’s explore in more detail how blogging when you’re chronically ill or when you care for your chronically ill loved one can help.

Let’s start with the fact that blogs can be very therapeutic…

Blogs are therapeutic.

For many people with chronic illnesses, blogging can be therapeutic. It’s an outlet to express feelings and share experiences in a safe and supportive community. In some cases, it can even help people come to terms with their illnesses.

Blogging can also be a valuable resource for others dealing with chronic illnesses. By reading blogs written by people who have first-hand experience with chronic illness, readers can gain insights and advice that they might not find elsewhere.

Additionally, blog posts can serve as a source of support and encouragement for people who feel isolated by their illnesses.

Not only my blog helps my wife express how she feels, but it also allows me as her husband, to speak from my point of view. It’s worth remembering that as the partners of chronically ill people, we too fight this battle with them.

A blog can help chronically ill people and their partners deal with their emotions, it is therapeutic and very beneficial to both as a couple.

Blogging can help build a community.

People with chronic illnesses often feel isolated and alone. This is especially true for those who live in small towns or rural areas where there are few others dealing with similar conditions.

Luckily, blogging can help connect people with others who understand what they’re going through.

By reading and commenting on blog posts, people with chronic illnesses can build relationships and form supportive communities. Additionally, many bloggers host meetups and events where their readers can get together in person to socialize and support one another.

For many people with chronic illnesses, these online and offline communities provide much-needed connection and support.

Blogging can be a form of self-care.

It definitely is for me. This is why I originally started my Worry Head blog. I needed an outlet at the time when my wife was on the verge of suicidal attempts, and I had to be by her side which meant that I had to take time off work.

Caring for a chronically ill partner can be very challenging and all-consuming. Because between my full-time job, accompanying my wife to her doctor’s and hospital appointments, helping her manage symptoms, and dealing with the day-to-day impacts of the illness on our marriage, it can be easy to forget to care for oneself.

But blogging can be a form of self-care. It allows us to express our feelings, share experiences, and connect with others who understand what we’re going through.

Additionally, blogging gives me personally a creative outlet that helps me cope with the stress of caregiving.

If you’re a caregiver for someone with a chronic illness, I encourage you to start a blog as a form of self-care. It can be a lifesaver.

Blogging can help fight the stigma around chronic illness.

There’s still a lot of stigma surrounding chronic illnesses, especially those that are invisible. My blog helps me advocate for my wife and other women who suffer from both – endometriosis and fibromyalgia.

Because people can’t see their symptoms, they often don’t believe that people are really sick.

This is why it’s so important for those of us with chronic illnesses to blog about our experiences. By sharing your stories, you can help others understand what you’re going through and fight the stigma that surrounds chronic illness.

If you have a chronic illness, I encourage you to start a blog and use it as a platform to share your story with the world. You never know who you might help by doing so.

Blogs provide an income.

One of the main reasons why having a blog can help chronically ill people is because it can provide an income.

For many people with chronic illnesses, working a traditional 9-to-5 job is simply not possible. The flare-ups, fatigue, and pain can make it impossible to hold down a full-time job.

Luckily, blogging provides a way for people with chronic illnesses to make money while working from home. By starting a blog and monetizing it with advertising, affiliate marketing, or digital products like e-Books and printables, chronically ill people can earn a steady income without ever having to leave their homes.

Not only does this provide financial stability for those with chronic illnesses, but it also gives them the flexibility to work around their symptoms.

So, if you’re chronically ill and looking for a way to make money from home, blogging could be the perfect solution.

How to start a blog?

There isn’t a magic formula to starting a blog, however, despite this fact many bloggers fail to be successful. Somewhere along their blogging journey, 95% of them give up.

They lack patience and dedication. They follow their passion instead of running their blog like a real business.

Building a blogging career takes time and effort. It is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme.

This is why I created a new blog on how to start a blog the RIGHT way. In it, I cover everything you need to know about starting a blog, from choosing a niche to making money with your blog.

But if you’re interested in starting a blog, and want to know how to do it right away, here’s what you need to know… to start a blog you need to follow these 7 steps:

1. Choose a blog niche.
2. Pick a blog name and domain name.
3. Set up your blog with WordPress.
4. Find a WordPress theme.
5. Install essential WordPress plugins.
6. Create blog content.
7. Make money with your blog.

Discuss all the above 7 points one by one:

1) Choose a blog niche.

The first step to starting a blog is to choose a niche. This can be anything from travel to fashion to food to parenting.

You really should blog about something you think you can write about consistently. It’s important to choose a niche that you’re passionate about, as this will make blogging much easier and more enjoyable.

There are plenty of positive effects of blogging about chronic pain and illness, but as a caring partner, you can also blog from your caregiving perspective.

2) Pick a blog name and domain name.

Once you’ve chosen your niche, it’s time to pick a name for your blog. This can be anything that reflects your niche and interests.

After you’ve chosen your blog name, you’ll need to purchase a domain name. This is the address people will use to find your blog on the internet.

Domain names usually end in “.com” or “.net”. You can purchase yours through a domain name registrar like HostGator or BlueHost.

3) Set up your blog with WordPress.

Now that you have a domain name, it’s time to set up your blog. The easiest way to do this is with WordPress, which is software that you can install on your server.

Don’t worry, it’s not as technical as it sounds. I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step in my blog post on how to start a blog with WordPress. HostGator has a 24/7 helpful chat that will do all the technicalities for you, you just wait and let them deal with it.

WordPress is the only software you need to blog. It’s free, easy to use, and comes with everything you need to create a successful blog.

4) Find a WordPress theme.

Once you’ve installed WordPress, it’s time to find a theme. This is the design of your blog and determines how it will look on the internet.

There are thousands of free and paid WordPress themes available, so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs.

5) Install essential WordPress plugins.

WordPress plugins are like little apps that you can install on your blog to add extra features. There are plugins for almost everything, from social media sharing to email opt-ins.

A few essential WordPress plugins that I recommend are WpRocket, Yoast SEO, and Ezoic for later monetization and improved performance.

Don’t even think of monetizing your blog at the beginning because you will not get anyone to visit your blog. It takes on average 8 months to a year to see some results from writing your blog posts.

6) Create blog content.

Now it’s time to start creating content for your blog. This is the fun part!

Your blog posts can be anything from helpful tips and tutorials to personal stories and opinions. The sky’s the limit. Just make sure that your content is high-quality and helpful to your readers.

You need to write a lot of content, and you need to write it with the right keywords, and take into account Search Engine Optimization, commonly known as SEO.

7) Make money with your blog.

As your blog grows, you’ll want to start thinking about ways to make money from it. There are a few different ways to do this, such as affiliate links, selling your own products, or advertising.

Now that you know how to start a blog, it’s time to get started!

Just follow these seven steps and you’ll be well on your way to success.

Conclusion…

Starting a blog can help chronically ill people and their partners better their relationships. It can also help to blog from a caregiving perspective. While it does take some time and effort to get set up, once you do, the sky’s the limit in terms of the content you can provide and the money you can make.

Blogging can be an extremely rewarding experience, both emotionally and financially. It’s a great way to connect with others who share your interests, and it can also be a viable source of income.

If you’re considering starting a blog, just remember to choose a niche that you’re passionate about, come up with a catchy name, and be prepared to put in the work. With a little effort, you can have a successful blog up and running in no time.

Cheers!