When MS Says No, But You Say Yes

Since my diagnosis in 2016, I’ve often seen MS as a condition that takes things away from me. It holds me back, sets limits, and forces me to say “no” when I so badly want to say “yes.” It’s held me back from hot yoga and intense workouts that I once loved. It’s sidelined me on days when fatigue hits hard, forcing me to adjust my plans—or cancel them altogether. It’s kept me indoors on hot summer days when all I wanted was to soak up the sun.

MS has been the reason for so many “no’s.”

And yet, something unexpected has happened. Lately, I’ve been realizing that MS has also pushed me to say “yes” in ways I never anticipated. It started with a simple decision: whether or not to take my daughter outside to play. On certain days, I found myself hesitating. But then a little voice inside me would whisper, "The weather is cool today—go enjoy it, because summer will be tough." And so I said yes. And when we got outside, I felt a surprising sense of freedom. The cool air, the movement, the joy of simply being present—it all felt so much sweeter because I didn’t take it for granted.

Moving my body today because I can

Then it happened again with exercise. I’ll be honest—sometimes it’s easy to talk myself out of moving my body. I used to love working out, but with MS, the fear of triggering fatigue can feel like a giant roadblock. But then I started hearing a new thought: "Move today, because you can move today." That simple shift changed everything. I no longer looked at exercise as an overwhelming commitment. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to honor my body. Some days, that meant gentle stretching or a slow walk. Other days, it meant a few strength exercises. But every day that I moved, I said "yes"—to myself, to my health, to the moment.

As these experiences added up, I had a realization: MS may force certain "no’s" into my life, but hidden within it is the power to say more meaningful "yeses." Yes to moments I might have otherwise missed. Yes to moving my body in ways that feel good. Yes to fully embracing the present.

What surprising "Yeses" have you found

So now, I want to ask you: Have you found yourself saying "yes" to things you might have otherwise passed up? Maybe you’ve tried a new hobby, explored a different way of eating, or finally given meditation a shot. Maybe you’ve said yes to slowing down, resting when you need to, or simply enjoying a quiet moment without guilt.

I’d love to hear your experiences. We often talk about the raw, honest, and hard truths of living with MS (because those are real and deserve space), but it’s just as important to celebrate the unexpected good. Let’s recognize the yeses, no matter how small, because those are the moments that remind us that we’re still living—not just managing MS, but truly living.

Drop a comment below and share your "yes" moments with me. Let’s lift each other up and remind ourselves that even within the challenges, there’s still so much life to say yes to.