When you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness, fear can show up almost overnight. I remember the day I was told I had multiple sclerosis. My world tilted. Suddenly, the certainty I had about my body and my future slipped through my fingers.

Fear took so many forms:

• Waking up one morning and not being able to walk.
• How my illness would affect my family—especially since my husband had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just weeks earlier, and my daughter had been in the hospital for 30 days.
• Losing the dreams I once had for my life.
• Worrying about finances and supporting my family physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic illness, you know this fear. It’s heavy. Relentless. Sometimes paralyzing.

That’s why I was so encouraged when I read [Tamara K. Anderson’s article, 7 Tips to Overcoming Fear—Lessons I Shared on the Rebuilding Podcast. Even though her fears came from launching a podcast, her story resonated deeply with me. Fear is fear—whether it’s about illness, work, or stepping into a new chapter of life. And the lessons she shares are ones I’ve also had to learn on my journey with MS.

Here’s what I’ve learned, weaving Tamara’s insights with my own story.

1. Journaling Through Fear

Tamara began by journaling her fears—drawing them, writing them down, and tracing their roots back to childhood bullying.

I did the same with my MS fears. I realized my fears weren’t just about the disease itself. They went deeper: fear of being misunderstood, dismissed, or judged. Fear that fatigue would make me appear lazy. Fear of being defined solely by my illness. And, of course, fear of not being able to support my family when they needed me most.

Journaling gave me a space to pour out these hidden fears. On some days, I would write for five minutes; on others, I would spend an hour unpacking the emotions, breaking down each worry, and tracing it back to its origin. I discovered that a lot of the fear was tied to feeling out of control—a common experience for anyone navigating multiple health challenges at once. My husband’s cancer diagnosis, my daughter’s hospitalization, and my own MS all collided in that moment.

I also started using my journal to visualize solutions. For example, I would write: “What can I do today to ease the burden on my family?” or “What is one small step I can take to feel more in control of my health?” Journaling didn’t make the fear disappear, but it allowed me to face it head-on and turn it into actionable steps instead of letting it spiral endlessly.

Actionable Tip: Set aside a few minutes each day to write about your fears. Don’t judge yourself or the emotions you uncover. Just get them out. Over time, this practice can help you untangle complicated feelings and discover patterns or solutions you might otherwise overlook.

2. Finding a “Why” Stronger Than Fear

Tamara realized her why—helping people who were struggling and losing hope—was stronger than her fear of launching a podcast.

For me, my why evolved over time. At first, it was simply about showing my family that I wouldn’t give up, even while facing MS, my husband’s cancer, and my daughter’s long hospital stay. I needed to show them, and myself, that life could still have purpose and joy amidst uncertainty.

Later, my why expanded. I wanted to share my story to help others who were living with chronic illness so they wouldn’t feel isolated. That meant blogging, creating resources, and connecting with others who were navigating similar challenges. My why became a steady anchor—something to hold onto when fear threatened to pull me under.

I also realized that my why had to be personally meaningful. It wasn’t about external recognition or accolades. It was about creating a legacy of hope and encouragement for my family and my community. When fear is overwhelming, a strong why gives you the clarity to take the next step—even if it’s a small, hesitant one.

Actionable Tip: Write down your why. Dig deep. Why does this matter to you? Connect it to something bigger than yourself. When fear arises, return to this why to remind yourself why moving forward is worth it.

3. Finding Community to Overcome Fear and Isolation

Tamara leaned on her accountability group to keep moving forward. Without it, she admitted she might have kept putting things off.

Support has been essential in my journey as well. Chronic illness can feel isolating, but leaning on friends, family, or online communities reminds you that you’re not alone. People who understand, encourage, and empathize can make all the difference when fear threatens to paralyze you.

That’s part of why I’m so excited about the upcoming launch of The Cultivator Club, my own community designed for people living with chronic illness. This is more than a group; it’s a place where members can share victories, ask questions, and feel understood. It’s a space to celebrate small wins, navigate setbacks, and encourage each other to face fears boldly.

Actionable Tip: Find your accountability partner or community. Whether it’s an online group, a friend, or a mentor, sharing your progress and struggles keeps you moving forward. If you’re looking for a supportive space specifically for people living with chronic illness, get on the list to be notified when we launch The Cultivator Club—a community designed to encourage, empower, and connect you with others facing similar challenges.

4. Small Wins Build Confidence

Tamara focused on small wins—like deleting a time-wasting app or organizing a drawer. These were simple tasks, but they created momentum.

With chronic illness, small wins are just as vital. Some days, getting out of bed feels like a victory. Other days, making a meal or showering without needing to rest afterward counts as a win. These victories may look small from the outside, but inside, they’re proof that you’re still capable.

I’ve also found that stacking small wins snowballs into confidence. For example, one day I might manage a short walk outside. The next day, I tackle a small household task. Soon, I realize that I’m accomplishing more than I expected—not in spite of my illness, but alongside it.

Actionable Tip: Break goals into bite-sized steps. Celebrate every small victory, no matter how minor it seems. Momentum comes from consistent action, not perfection.

5. Feeling the Fear—and Doing It Anyway

Tamara shared her story of giving herself a migraine shot—terrified at first—but realizing it wasn’t as bad as imagined.

I can relate. Facing new treatments, procedures, and the unpredictable realities of MS or another chronic illness can be terrifying. I remember my first MS infusion—I didn’t know what to expect and was scared of potential side effects, especially because I’ve often reacted badly to medications in the past. I also felt extreme nervousness before getting a feeding tube, unsure of what the procedure would be like and how my body would respond. To my surprise, the feeding tube was much easier and less frightening than I had imagined. And surgery on my vertebrae—two separate surgeries, one on my back and one on my neck—was another time that made me feel profoundly afraid. In every case, the anticipation often felt heavier than the reality itself.

Often, we don’t have a choice about what we must do—but we can choose how to show up. Each time we act with courage, even while afraid, we build resilience. The first time I tackled something difficult while trembling with fear, I thought, “I can’t.” Afterwards, I realized, “I can, and I did.”

Chronic illness teaches this lesson over and over. The unknown may feel insurmountable, but fear doesn’t have to control our response. Courage is built incrementally, sometimes through small, scared actions that affirm our strength. For some, these challenges feel unbearably heavy, and if you or someone you know struggles with thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to a trusted friend, professional, or crisis resource for help. You are not alone.

Actionable Tip: Identify one fear each week and take a small, intentional step toward it. Focus on how you show up in the face of fear, rather than whether you can avoid it. Over time, these small steps accumulate into real, meaningful courage.

6. Starting the Day with Strength

Tamara found power in her Miracle Morning routine—prayer, journaling, exercise, and goal-setting. While I can’t always do mornings the same way (symptoms often hit hardest then), I’ve found that even small intentional rituals help.

Sometimes it’s reading a short devotional. Sometimes it’s writing one sentence of gratitude. Sometimes it’s sitting quietly for a few minutes. These small practices don’t erase fear, but they help me remember I am not powerless. Even in chaos, I can reclaim a few minutes of clarity and focus.

Actionable Tip: Identify one small ritual to begin your day intentionally. Consistency matters more than duration.

7. Vision Boards: Seeing What’s Possible

Tamara uses a vision board to keep goals front and center. Chronic illness can make it easy to focus on what we’ve lost, so this idea really resonated with me.

I believe so deeply in the power of vision boards that I created a course on them. I’ve witnessed miracles and opportunities appear simply because I intentionally envisioned my goals and focused on the steps I could take toward them. Vision boards provide clarity, focus, and motivation, especially when fear tries to dominate our thinking.

Actionable Tip: Create a vision board with your goals, no matter how big or small. Revisit it regularly, and use it as a visual reminder that fear is only one voice—and hope is another.

Fear Doesn’t Have the Final Say

Fear is part of life with chronic illness. It shows up uninvited, often when we feel most vulnerable. But fear doesn’t have to have the final say.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Fear is normal—it doesn’t mean you’re weak.
• Writing your fears down can loosen their hold.
• A strong why can carry you when fear feels unbearable.
• Community matters—you don’t have to do this alone.
• Small wins are victories worth celebrating.
• Courage grows when you take action, even while afraid.
• Hope is something we can choose to envision daily.

If fear has been weighing heavy on you—whether from a new diagnosis or the ongoing uncertainty of chronic illness—I encourage you to read Tamara’s full article and listen to her interview. Her story reminds us that fear may be loud, but it doesn’t have to be the driver of our lives.

Read Tamara’s full article here