Can I Still Live a Normal Life with Arthritis?

First Things First: What Does “Normal Life” Even Mean?

Honestly, this was my biggest question after getting diagnosed. Like… what even counts as normal anymore? I remember sitting in my rheumatologist’s office, trying to process the word “arthritis” while also low-key wondering if I’d have to give up hiking, working, dancing at weddings, or even typing on bad days.

Spoiler: I didn’t have to give up as much as I feared. But it took a minute (and a few ugly crying moments) to figure that out.

Normal looks different — and that’s okay

I’ve learned that "normal" isn’t some static finish line. It’s a moving target. Some days I’m smashing deadlines, cooking dinner, and walking my dog like nothing’s wrong. Other days… I’m just proud I made it to the shower.

And you know what? Both days count as living. Fully.

Managing the Pain Without Letting It Own You

Okay, real talk: arthritis hurts. Whether it’s osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, psoriatic — whatever your flavor — it messes with your joints, energy, and even your headspace.

But (and it’s a big but): pain can be managed. It might not vanish forever, but you can absolutely turn the volume down.

What’s helped me (and might help you)

• Movement – I was super skeptical about this one. Exercise when you’re in pain? Sounds like torture. But gentle movement (like swimming, yoga, short walks) keeps my joints from locking up.

• Medication – Took me a while to find the right combo. I actually resisted meds at first (I thought it meant I was giving in), but my friend Jordan — who also has RA — reminded me that meds aren’t weakness. They’re tools.

• Sleep – I didn’t realize how crucial sleep was until I had like three weeks of flare-ups and terrible insomnia. Now it’s sacred. I protect my sleep like a dragon guarding gold.

• Diet & supplements – Look, I’m not saying kale cured my arthritis. But I did notice that cutting way back on sugar and processed junk reduced inflammation a lot. I still eat pizza, don’t worry. Just… smarter.

Relationships, Work, and All the Other Real-Life Stuff

So many people ask me, “Can you still work with arthritis?” or “How do your relationships handle it?” — and yeah, it’s tricky.

Navigating work without burnout

I used to push through pain like a hero. Not smart. I’ve now learned to take breaks, speak up when I need accommodations, and not feel guilty about it. Actually, last week I asked my manager (shout-out to Lisa) if I could shift one meeting because mornings are rough. She didn’t even blink — just said “Of course.” That moment gave me so much hope.

Love, friendship, and explaining the “invisible”

This is hard. Because arthritis isn’t always visible. Sometimes you look totally fine while your knees are screaming. I had to get better at telling people what’s up — even when I felt awkward.

I lost a couple “friends” who couldn’t handle it. But I gained deeper connections with the people who stuck around. Those ones? Priceless.

Mental Health Matters (More Than You Think)

I wasn’t prepared for how much arthritis would mess with my mind. I felt broken, frustrated, even ashamed some days. I googled things like “Can I still be happy with arthritis?” at 3AM.

Turns out: yes. But not by ignoring how I felt.

Therapy, journaling, ugly cries

I started therapy (best decision). I journal more now. I let myself cry without judgment. And weirdly, I also laugh more. Like, deep belly laughs. Because I’ve stopped pretending everything’s fine when it’s not.

Final Thoughts: Not Just Surviving — Living

So... can you still live a normal life with arthritis?

Absolutely.
Will it look the same as before? Probably not.
But that doesn’t mean it’s less full, or less valuable, or less you.

Honestly, in some ways, life became more intentional after arthritis. I notice the small wins. I’m more grateful. I listen to my body (okay, most of the time). And I keep showing up — not just for the world, but for me.

And if you’re reading this and wondering if you’ll ever feel “normal” again — you will.
Just give yourself permission to redefine what that means.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.