The whats, whys, and hows
If you really want to know why I'm writing this substack, it's all here
Are you barely making it?
My name is Shruti. I’m your chronically ill, anxiety-ridden, and perpetually exhausted host. You might know me from my Instagram where I try to inject humor and honesty into the often isolating experience of living with chronic conditions. But today, I'm taking things a step further.
Why this, why now?
Well, because I'm tired. Tired of the toxic positivity, the "just think positive" platitudes, and the pressure to pretend everything's okay when it's so blatantly not. I'm tired of feeling like I have to hide the messy, ugly parts of my life, the parts that make me feel like I'm barely making it through the day.
And I know I'm not alone. I see it in your comments, your DMs, the weary exhaustion in your sighs. We're all out here, having experiences that most people don't see, don't understand. It's time we had a space to talk about it, without judgment, without shame.
What kind of community is this going to be?
This isn't a place for inspirational quotes or miracle cures. It's a space for raw honesty, dark humor, and the kind of solidarity that only comes from shared experience. It's a place to vent, to laugh, to cry, to rage, to just be. We're creating a community where it's okay to not be okay, where "barely making it" is an achievement worth celebrating.
What to expect?
Free subscribers: You'll get regular doses of real talk, relatable stories, and occasional bursts of dark humor delivered straight to your inbox. Think of it like a virtual hug from a friend who gets it.
Paid subscribers: You'll unlock access to exclusive content like:
Deeper dives: More in-depth explorations of the challenges and triumphs of living with chronic illness and mental health struggles.
Community discussions: A chance to connect with other subscribers, share experiences, and offer support.
Early access & behind-the-scenes: Get a sneak peek at upcoming projects and a glimpse into my creative process.
And more! I'm always cooking up new ideas to make this space even more valuable for you.
About Barely Making It (and Me!)
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).
So, are you ready to join the club?
If you're tired of pretending, if you're craving connection, if you're ready to embrace the messy, beautiful reality of your life, then hit that subscribe button. Let's build a community where we can all feel seen, heard, and understood.
Can't wait to have you along for the ride!
With a heavy dose of validation and a sprinkle of sarcasm,
Shruti.
P.S. If you haven't already, come hang out on Instagram, Threads and TikTok for extra doses of meh-ness and solidarity.
Looking forward to following your Substack! Always appreciate your efforts in community building!