At the end of September the leaves in my hometown are in the process of changing colour and many trees have already lost all of their leaves. With a look into October we enter into a space of ending the seasonal plants and colder temperatures are approaching. It can be a time of coziness and reflection and an urgency of taking all the nice weather that still comes and savouring it.

As the days get colder and the weather starts to change, it can become quite isolating for people with chronic illness and disabilities since they cannot safely navigate the elements when they go outside. It is important to continue to check in with your friends that are differently-abled.

Not only can the weather create isolation, but so can experiencing a flare.

A part of chronic illness that almost always catches you by surprise is flares. They come whenever they want, usually come on very quickly, and lasts for almost longer then you can possibly stand.

Flares are frustrating in many ways. You never know when they will come or how long they will stay. You don’t have to “do” something to get a flare. You have to cancel everything for the upcoming week—you can try to fight it but 95% of the time it takes a week to recover. And they are demoralizing and can affect your mental health.

So what do you do when you have a flare? You take it one minute at a time because that is all you can handle. You do what absolutely has to be done and forget the rest. You throw your weekly to-do list out the window. You lean heavily on your support system. You listen to your body and take the time and care it needs. And you wish for it to end soon.

If you know someone who goes into a flare, be extra patient and kind. They feel like their world is imploding and are probably not sure how they can survive it. Offer to help with household tasks and food, they probably desperately need it. And, as always, love them.

Take a moment if you can to crunch some fall leaves, the sound will make you smile! Find little moments of joy and remember you are not alone!