Balancing Life, Writing, and Business with Chronic Pain: Thriving Within Your Limits
A Personal Journey of Adaptation
For years, I was the type of person who operated at 120% effort, all the time. My mind was always racing ahead, planning the next step, setting ambitious goals, and pushing through whatever obstacles appeared.
But when you live with chronic pain or health challenges, that mindset can be a direct road to burnout. I learned that the hard way.
I’ve lived with chronic pain for over ten years, and despite undergoing my first major surgery in the fall, my journey with health issues isn’t over. I’ve had to develop the discipline of working at 95%, not 120%, because no matter what my mind wants, my body has physical limits.
This shift wasn’t easy—it took years of self-awareness, trial and error, and learning to listen to my body. But understanding my warning signs of burnout and exhaustion has been life-changing. Now, I pull back before I crash, just like I stop eating when I feel full. I’ve become my own protector, my own barrier to overexertion—and it’s made all the difference.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a writer, or both, balancing your career with chronic pain requires a different approach. You don’t have to give up your ambitions—you just have to work with your body, not against it.
Writing and Working at 95%, Not 120%
If you’re anything like me, you have big ideas, big dreams, and a drive to accomplish them all. But chronic pain forces you to pace yourself.
Many writers and business owners feel guilty for slowing down, but here’s the truth: going at 95% consistently is far more sustainable than running at 120% and crashing.
How to Implement This Mindset:
Recognize your energy peaks and dips – Plan deep work (writing, strategizing) during high-energy times.
Break projects into smaller milestones – Instead of pushing for long writing sprints, aim for consistent, bite-sized progress.
Build in recovery time – Rest isn’t a reward; it’s part of the process.
Example: Instead of writing for five hours straight and being in pain the next day, try writing in focused 30-minute sprints with breaks.
Becoming Your Own Health Advocate
One of the biggest turning points in my journey was learning how to advocate for myself within the healthcare system. If I hadn’t pushed for answers, I never would have been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, nor would I have received the care I needed.
Doctors are trained to see numbers and tests, but you know your body better than anyone. If something feels off, speak up and keep pushing until you get the help you deserve.
Ways to Advocate for Yourself:
Track Your Symptoms – Keep a journal of pain levels, triggers, and patterns.
Come Prepared – Bring notes and specific questions to medical appointments. Bring someone with you to take notes for you (My mom went to every appointment with me).
Get Second Opinions – If you’re dismissed or brushed off, seek another perspective.
This same advocacy applies to your writing career. No one will set boundaries for you. You have to be the one to protect your energy, your time, and your well-being.
Setting Boundaries (and Sticking to Them)
Whether you’re writing, running a business, or both, boundaries are non-negotiable when you have chronic pain.
Burnout happens when we say yes too often—to projects, to deadlines, to unrealistic expectations. But success doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing what matters, in a way that’s sustainable.
Practical Boundary-Setting Tips:
Limit Social Media & Distractions – Protect your mental energy.
Create “Work Windows” – Designate specific hours for focused work and commit to stopping when the time is up.
Let Go of Guilt – Needing rest doesn’t make you less dedicated. It makes you human.
Example: If you’re a writer struggling to keep up with daily word counts, set a realistic goal (e.g., 500 words per day) instead of aiming for a massive output that leaves you drained.
Reshaping Productivity: Quality Over Quantity
Writers often measure success in word counts, and business owners measure it in hours worked. But when chronic pain is part of the equation, quantity is a terrible metric for success.
Instead, focus on:
Consistent progress, not speed
Building a career that supports your well-being
Honoring your energy, even on hard days
Your worth isn’t defined by how much you produce. It’s defined by how sustainably you create.
I have to be my own protector and barrier to overexertion—because my mind might have plans that my body cannot keep up with.
Lean Into Resilience & Adaptability
I won’t sugarcoat it—balancing a career with chronic pain is hard. But you are stronger than you think.
Resilience doesn’t mean pushing through at all costs. It means adapting, adjusting, and showing up in ways that honor where you are.
Every time you pace yourself, set a boundary, or advocate for your needs, you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving.
Final Thoughts: Success on Your Terms
Your health challenges don’t mean you can’t be a successful writer or entrepreneur. They mean you have to do it differently—and that’s okay.
By working at 95%, setting boundaries, advocating for yourself, and focusing on sustainability, you can build a career that thrives without sacrificing your well-being.
You are capable. You are resilient. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Are you balancing writing or running a business with chronic pain? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear what strategies have worked for you!
If you need support in recovering from burnout, check out my free resource, which includes videos, articles, and podcasts that helped me during low morale.