Hi Ashley,
There's a cumulative stress too, from not being connected to others, as I try to build a social circle. It's gets harder with time too, since being connected in this world, is more important, especially wirelessly. Maybe technology is creating a bigger divide, since it's harder to reach out, since so much is done from home now, like shopping.
Checking in at the gym, sometimes there isn't even an attendant, so it can be isolating, since I just swipe my card.
A lot of physical handicaps are invisible, but have these ailments creates this visible minority that is marginalizing.
I suppose I can wallow or persevere. It's hard not to look back, and wish I'd made "better" decisions, but I'm a survivor.
That filter is tough to modulate,so I can see the half-filled cup, rather than the half empty one.