Carlijn’s Story: Learning to Live Again

At the age of fourteen, Carlijn’s world began to slow down in a way that few could understand. What started as fatigue soon became something deeper, something heavier. Her body, once full of teenage energy, started to whisper — then scream — that something wasn’t right.

"It felt like I had run a marathon and partied all night — every single day. Except it wasn’t fun. It was just… endless."

Years would pass before anyone could name what she was going through: chronic fatigue syndrome. But long before the diagnosis, Carlijn had already begun fighting an invisible battle. A battle for her health, her future, and most of all, her sense of self.

Losing and Rebuilding a Life

Her body shut down after a series of infections and intense antibiotic treatments. At first, it was just a stomach issue. Then the flu. Then another. Her immune system never fully bounced back. By the time she was officially diagnosed, her days were already spent mostly on the couch, too exhausted to function. School became a maze she could barely navigate, and her social life slowly faded into silence.

"I remember lying on the living room floor because I didn’t even have the energy to walk upstairs to my bed."

Friends drifted. Opportunities disappeared. But Carlijn kept showing up. For school. For herself. For a future she hoped might still be waiting.

The Weight of Being ‘Different’

In a world that rewards productivity and performance, Carlijn found herself forced to slow down while everyone else sped up. Teachers were kind. Her family, incredibly supportive. But society doesn’t pause for invisible illness.

"At that age, you just want to be normal. I tried to hide how sick I was so I wouldn't be treated differently. But you can’t really hide when you only make it to half of your classes."

She learned to navigate a world that wasn’t built for people like her — a world that often didn’t believe her pain because they couldn’t see it.

Finding Her Way Back Through Art

Through all of this, one quiet part of her never left: her love for art. Even when her energy was gone, her creativity remained a quiet, pulsing light. Years later, that love led her to the art academy — a space where she could not only create, but finally begin to heal.

It wasn’t easy. She still came home from classes and collapsed into bed. But the act of creating gave her purpose. Her body was still tired, but something in her spirit was waking up.

“The best thing I ever did for my health was stop chasing a ‘normal’ life. I started building a life that worked for me instead.”

Redefining Success and Strength

Today, Carlijn works as a freelance illustrator and part-time at a local print shop. She chooses when she works, how she works, and who she works with. Her days are softer now — not because they’re easy, but because they’re hers.

She’s no longer trying to “fit in.” She’s trying to feel good. And that shift changed everything.

The Hidden Strength of Stillness

Carlijn’s story isn’t about a perfect recovery. She still gets tired. She still has hard days. But she’s no longer afraid of them. And perhaps most importantly — she’s no longer afraid of being different.

“For a long time I thought I had to push through everything. Now I know strength also looks like listening to your body. Like resting. Like saying no.”

What She Wants You to Know

To anyone who’s in the middle of their own invisible battle, Carlijn offers this:

You don’t need to be understood by everyone.
You don’t have to meet someone else’s version of “enough.”
And you are not broken — even if the world makes you feel like you are.

Healing isn’t linear.
Rest is not weakness.
And softness can be a kind of superpower.