On today’s episode of Before Elle Out Loud, we’re talking about something rather important. Love. Not the grand romantic gestures, candlelit dinners or the sort of love where someone dramatically runs through an airport. I’m talking about the everyday kind. The messy, imperfect, occasionally frustrating kind. The kind that helps you up the stairs at night but somehow fails to notice the mountain of washing sitting in plain sight. Because when chronic illness enters a relationship, things can become a little more complicated. Today, we’re talking about what happens when the person you love also becomes someone you depend on. The gratitude that comes with being cared for, the guilt that sometimes follows, and the frustration of wanting to remain independent when your body has other ideas. We’re also talking about the things that don’t get discussed nearly enough. How illness changes intimacy, how both partners can become exhausted, why it’s perfectly possible to be grateful and annoyed at the same time, and how important it is to remember that underneath all the appointments, responsibilities and everyday chaos, you’re still two people who love each other. And because this is Before Elle, there will naturally be a little humour along the way. Mostly involving laundry. A little note before you listen Before Elle Out Loud is still very much a work in progress. I’m learning this whole podcasting business as I go. There may be the occasional stumble, an awkward pause or a moment when I sound as though I’ve temporarily forgotten how sentences work. I’m only human, and this is my rather enthusiastic attempt at figuring out microphones, editing and sharing a little more of myself with the world. So please be gentle with me while I find my feet. What I can promise is that every episode comes from a genuine place, even if the production department (me, with a cup of tea and several open browser tabs) is still finding its rhythm. Come and stay a little longer If today’s conversation resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you’re new here, welcome. You can subscribe to Before Elle right here on Substack for personal essays, our weekly Sunday Tea, more episodes of Before Elle Out Loud and honest conversations about chronic illness, motherhood, identity and the unexpected business of starting again. You can also visit beforeelle.com, our little corner of the internet, where there’s always room for one more. Thank you for listening, for being here, and for giving this slightly imperfect podcast a chance. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe there’s still a domestic investigation underway. Elle Music credits: Retain the exact track attribution and licence information already included in the existing draft. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beforeelle.substack.com/subscribe
