‍(This was written for and from those of us managing neurological conditions who are tired of toxic positivity.)

We need to be honest about something: gratitude feels complicated when our bodies don't cooperate. When migraine attacks, pain, insomnia, brain fog, dizziness, or fatigue are daily companions, we're not waking up feeling #blessed.

So here's a different list that doesn’t require forced smiles or "everything happens for a reason." Just small truths we can acknowledge without pretending everything's fine.

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Things we're allowed to notice (Even when everything still hurts):

1. ‍The days when our symptoms are predictable. Not gone, just predictable. We can plan around them. That tiny bit of control matters.‍
2. The one medication that actually helps. Maybe it's only 30% relief. But 30% can be the difference between surviving and actually living a day.‍
3. Having words for what's happening. A diagnosis, a pattern, a trigger we've identified; language that turns "what's wrong with me?" into "this is what's happening."‍
4. People who don't need explanations. The colleague who doesn't question when we work from bed. The friend who knows "cancel" isn't personal. The provider who believes us the first time (Don’t have one? Try Neura).‍
5. The random good hours. Even if they come at 2AM. Even if we can't predict them. We'll take them.‍
6. The survival skills no one sees. Medication timers. Meal prep on good days. Saying no without guilt. Asking for help without shame. Skills we never wanted but ended up mastering anyway.‍
7. The small wins our bodies manage. The shower we took. The email we sent. The appointment we made it to. The flare that didn't become an ER visit.‍
8. Tiny moments of okay.
   • Morning coffee that tastes right
   • A comfortable position that lasts
   • A conversation without brain fog
   • A day without a new symptom
   • Finding care that doesn't require a three-month wait‍
9. The part of us that keeps going. Just showing up another day (without being brave or inspiring).

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Here's what we’re not doing

We're not grateful FOR our conditions. We're not finding meaning in the struggle. We don't owe anyone a redemption arc or a lesson learned.

We can appreciate the small victories while still acknowledging that this is hard. We can be thankful for support while hating that we need it. We can celebrate good days without pretending bad days don't exist.

At Neura, we get it. Real support means understanding that some days "grateful" is just having access to care when you need it. Book an appointment within days, and find support with care coaching and in-app messaging.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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