Many people in my life have told me they admire my optimistic attitude. I really do try to be optimistic. I try to find the positives in situations and have gratitude for the things in my life. There is a lot to be thankful for.

When it comes to MS, though, it’s hard to be optimistic all the time. Some days suck – I don’t have control over what my body decides to do that day, or even that hour or minute. Sometimes, my day starts out fine, but it ends with me dreading taking the stairs to our third-floor walk-up, because my feet feel like cement blocks. Sometimes, I am emotionally drained by the decisions I have to make, now and in the future.

But I try to be optimistic, because there is a lot to be optimistic about: I have treatment options, plural, there is a lot of funding for MS research, and I’m personally on a treatment plan I feel happy about. I also have a strong, loving, and supportive network of family and friends that keeps me going. I try to think positively when I can, but I allow myself to feel all my feelings, good or bad.

This is what optiMStic is all about: when living with MS, being optimistic all the time is not possible, or realistic, but optimism is there for me when I need it. It’s a goal, but not an exacting one, because what’s the point of striving to think positively if you feel guilty when you have a bad day?

I started this blog to chronicle my MS journey to not only help myself to be optimistic but to maybe help others in my situation try to be optimistic, too. When I was first diagnosed in April 2023, talking to others living with MS and learning about their journeys helped me immensely in so many ways. I want to pass it on and hope this helps someone.