Hi! I'm Antonia
Why I Created 'Unremarkable Me': A Little Light in the Darkness
Life doesn’t come with a manual, and it certainly doesn’t prepare you for chronic illness. My battle with, Chronic Illness is a complicated one. It includes Chiari malformation, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), and a few other party guests like POTS and MCAS. Living with these conditions has reshaped my life in ways I never expected—some painful, some funny, and all worth sharing.
That’s why I started Unremarkable Me. Not because I have all the answers, but because I’ve learned that even in the mess, there’s light to be found. And sometimes, sharing that light is enough to help someone else find their way.
Finding Meaning in the Mess:
Chronic illness changes everything. It’s the dislocated joints, the fainting spells, and the endless battle to be understood by a world that often overlooks you. It’s the hard days when even getting out of bed feels like a marathon. But it’s also the quiet victories, like finding the courage to ask for help or discovering joy in a moment of rest.
I’ve spent years grappling with this reality, learning how to adapt to a body that doesn’t always cooperate. Along the way, I realized that while the struggles are real, so is the strength we find to keep going. And that’s worth sharing—not to sugarcoat the difficulties, but to show that even in the hardest times, there’s hope.
Why I Write:
My motivation for this blog is simple: to keep learning and to share what I discover. Whether it’s navigating the NHS, finding tools that actually make life easier, or just learning how to laugh at life’s absurdities (like wheelchair mishaps or run-ins with gin gins displays), every lesson feels worth passing on.
But more than that, I want Unremarkable Me to be a reminder. A reminder that even when life feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. A reminder that the small wins—getting through the day, finding humor in the chaos—are worth celebrating. And a reminder that there’s strength in every story, even the ones that feel unremarkable.
Why I Choose Humor
(Even When Life Isn’t Funny):
Life with chronic illnesses like EDS and POTS isn’t exactly a laugh-a-minute kind of deal. But for me, humour—particularly of the dark and salty kind—isn’t just a coping mechanism; it’s how I find light in the chaos.
Chronic illness can be isolating. It can be frustrating. It can make you feel like the universe decided you’d make a great protagonist in a Greek tragedy. But here’s the thing: it’s also full of ridiculous, bizarre, and (let’s face it) occasionally funny moments that only someone living it can truly understand. My wheelchair ploughing into a wall because I didn’t know how stop it,Hilarious, in hindsight.. Forgetting why I went into a room because brain fog hit? Funny By sharing these moments with a touch of humor, my intention is never to make light of anyone’s pain or struggles—least of all my own. Instead, it’s about finding connection, showing resilience, and reminding us all that even in the darkest times, there’s room for a good laugh.
So, if you ever catch me being a little too salty or cracking jokes about things that are no laughing matter, know this: it comes from a place of love, strength, and a desire to make this shared journey just a little brighter.
A Beacon for Connection:
As I mentioned living with chronic illness can feel isolating. It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one navigating a body that doesn’t follow the rules. But the truth is, so many of us are out here, quietly battling through the same challenges.
That’s what I hope this blog can be: a place where we can connect, laugh, and support one another. A small light in the dark moments, whether through a shared story or simply knowing someone else understands. Because even when the world feels heavy, there’s power in knowing you’re not facing it alone.
A Little Light Goes a Long Way:
I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I’m not here to fix everything. But what I can do is share what I’ve learned—the lessons, the laughs, and the moments of hope that have carried me through. If even one person finds comfort or encouragement here, then this journey will have been worth it.
So here’s to finding meaning in the mess, laughter in the mishaps, and light in the darkest moments. Because no matter how unpredictable life gets, there’s always hope to be found—and sometimes, all it takes is a little reminder.
With love,
Unremarkable Me.