Expect a mix of personal stories, survival tips, and raw reflections on navigating life when it throws you curveballs. I'll talk about the challenges, the triumphs, and everything in between. Think of it as your virtual support group, led by someone who truly understands.
Free vs. Paid Subscriptions
Free subscribers: You'll get regular doses of real talk, relatable stories, and occasional bursts of dark humor delivered straight to your inbox.
Paid subscribers: You'll unlock access to exclusive content like deeper dives into specific topics, community discussions, early access to new projects, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my creative process.
About Barely Making It (and Me!)
Hi, I'm Shruti – the human behind ChronicallyMeh. I grew up in Southern India, surrounded by a loving family but with little exposure to the world of chronic illness. Migraine has been my unwelcome companion since I was just six years old, officially diagnosed at thirteen. It shaped my life in ways I never could have imagined, impacting everything from my education and career to my relationships and sense of self.
In 2019, I took a leap of faith and moved to Canada with my husband, daughter, and our perpetually sleepy beagle. It was a big change, but it also opened up new opportunities for connection and understanding. During the pandemic, I stumbled upon a whole community of people navigating the challenges of invisible illness. It was like finding a missing piece of the puzzle.
Finally, I felt seen, heard, and understood.
This newfound sense of belonging ignited a passion in me to create a space where others could experience that same sense of validation and support. That's how ChronicallyMeh was born, and now, "Barely Making It" is its newest chapter – my newsletter, my blog of sorts, where I share the messy, hilarious, and heartbreakingly real journey of living with chronic pain and mental health challenges.
I'm still figuring things out, still learning to navigate the ups and downs, still fighting for my health and happiness every single day. But I'm also discovering the power of vulnerability, the beauty of imperfection, and the strength that comes from connecting with others who truly get it.
What do I do?
Well, I wear a few hats! I write, illustrate, manage communities, and dabble in content and social media strategy. At my core, I love to make things, solve problems, and create products that have the potential to change the world. I was on a promising trajectory, building a career I was passionate about, but then... migraine stole the spotlight.
My brain had been struggling for a while since my attacks weren’t well-managed since I was 13. By the time I turned 25, it snowballed. The fog, the fatigue, the relentless pain... it all took a toll. I pushed myself harder, terrified of falling behind, of losing what I'd worked so hard to build. I ignored my body's signals, crossed boundaries I didn't even know existed, and ultimately burned out.
For four years, I was sidelined. I couldn't think clearly, couldn't make decisions, couldn't even choose an egg for breakfast. It was a dark and disorienting time, made worse by the stigma surrounding migraine and my own internalized ableism. I was also grappling with complex trauma, anxiety, and depression. It felt like my world was crumbling.
But slowly, through therapy, self-love, and a whole lot of hard work, I started to find my way back. I'm not at my dream job yet, and I certainly don't have it all figured out. But I'm in the process.
Creating ChronicallyMeh and now "Barely Making It" is part of that process. It's my way of reclaiming my voice, reconnecting with my creativity, and making a difference in the world.
I want to write again. I want to believe I can illustrate again. I want to create something meaningful that helps people feel comfortable being themselves, just being... I want to help people thrive, not just exist or survive.
This is my beginning (it’s never too late to start over).
