Holiday Glow-Up: Celebrating Resilience and Self-Care with Lipedema
A Toast to Our Strength, Progress, and the Year Ahead
As the holiday season wraps up its warm embrace, I’m taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared this year. Living with lipedema comes with challenges that test our strength, patience, and resolve, especially during the holidays—and yet, here we are, standing resilient and moving forward with hope.
This time of year is perfect for pausing, celebrating how far we’ve come, and thinking about what lies ahead. So, before the calendar flips to 2025, let’s take a moment to honor ourselves and all that we’ve achieved.
A Season of Gratitude
First and foremost, thank you for being part of the Lipedema Insured community. Your stories, questions, and shared experiences have enriched this space in ways I could never fully express. Whether you’ve reached out with a heartfelt comment, participated in discussions, or simply found a moment of solace in our shared journey, your presence matters.
This community is a testament to the power of collective strength. Together, we’ve explored strategies for navigating insurance hurdles, advocated for better access to care, and celebrated the victories—big and small. Every message I’ve received from you reminds me of the unyielding power of hope and perseverance.
Resilience in Action
Living with lipedema requires a special kind of resilience. It’s the courage to fight for answers when faced with medical professionals who don’t understand our condition. It’s the determination to pursue treatments, advocate for coverage, and seek out care that makes a difference.
Reflecting on 2024, I’ve faced my own hurdles—personally and professionally. One of the biggest was navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of running a growing community while also taking care of myself. There were days when it felt overwhelming, but each time I leaned into the values we share—resilience, persistence, and self-care—I found the strength to keep moving forward.
If you’re reading this, take a moment to reflect on how much you’ve endured and achieved this year. Maybe you’ve made progress with insurance claims, started a new treatment, or simply committed to showing yourself more kindness. Maybe you’ve connected with others who share this journey, breaking the isolation that so often accompanies lipedema. These milestones, no matter how small they may seem, are worth celebrating.
A Holiday Glow-Up
As we close out 2024, I invite you to think about what self-care can look like for you during the rest of the holidays. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, but taking time for yourself isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Self-care can be as simple as setting aside 10 minutes to stretch, journaling your reflections from the year, or indulging in a small, keto-friendly holiday treat. It can also mean saying “no” to activities that drain you or asking for support when you need it.
For those of us managing lipedema, self-care also means prioritizing our health amidst the festivities. It’s finding ways to stay active that feel joyful rather than forced. It’s embracing compression as a tool for comfort rather than restriction. It’s enjoying holiday meals without guilt, while staying mindful of what makes our bodies feel good.
This year, I began embracing the idea of a personal glow-up. While I’m still working on fully implementing my self-care, I’ve made intentional efforts to live in a way that feels more true to who I am, my values, and my goals. I also started prioritizing deeper social connections, focusing on quality over quantity. Though it’s been a journey with its ups and downs, each step forward has brought me closer to living in alignment with my authentic self.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The holidays are also a time of reflection and anticipation. As we prepare to step into a new year, I encourage you to think about what’s next on your journey. What goals do you want to set for yourself—personally, professionally, or in your lipedema care? What support do you need to make those goals a reality?
For me, 2025 is about continuing to build this community, providing resources that make your journey just a little bit easier, and amplifying the voices of those with lipedema. It’s about pushing for systemic change in insurance coverage and ensuring that no one has to navigate this path alone. It’s about celebrating every victory, no matter how small, because each one is a step toward a brighter future.
I’m also focused on continuing my own journey of growth. In 2024, I worked on (and continue to work on) my fear of failure, which had held me back from reaching my full potential. Whether it’s my writing, my lipedema advocacy, or rethinking how I engage with my self-care, this year was all about learning to trust myself—and that’s a lesson I’ll carry forward into 2025.
A Toast to You
So here’s my holiday wish for you: May your days be filled with moments of joy, comfort, and peace. May you find strength in your resilience, hope in your progress, and pride in everything you’ve overcome. And may you step into 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
Thank you for being part of the Lipedema Insured community. Together, we’re making strides, raising awareness, and creating change. Here’s to wrapping up 2024 with love and care—and stepping into 2025 with hope and determination.
With gratitude and warm wishes,
Michelle
Michelle, you are awesome and I thank you for all you do! wishing YOU all the best in the new year. Thanks for all the inspiration you send out !