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Simran | Survivor. Advocate. Speaker. Educator

@chronically_simran

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💜Award Winner
💜Navigating life through trauma, grief and invisible illnesses (chronic, mental and neurodiverse)
💜Raising awareness to break stigmas

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I had plans for this year. Life had other ideas.

I’ve been quiet again. Longer than I meant to be.

And honestly? I could give you a beautifully packaged explanation for it…but that wouldn’t really be me.

Life has just been…A LOT.

So much going on behind the scenes, and if I’m being completely honest, a pretty heavy mental load.

Looking back, I can see there were a lot of things building up for quite some time. And somewhere along the way, I had to admit something to myself:

I wasn’t okay.

So I slowed down. I didn’t stop caring. I didn’t stop wanting to do the work.

I just didn’t have the capacity to keep pretending I was fine while everything inside me was saying otherwise.

And this is something I’ve had to remind myself of:

Being an advocate doesn’t make me immune to the things I advocate about.

Sometimes I’m the person talking about mental health, trauma, disability, recovery and self-advocacy.

And sometimes I’m the person living it.

Both can be true.

So no big “I’m back and I’ve got my shit together” speech. 😂

Because I haven’t. I’m still figuring things out. I’m still healing.

I’m still having good days and shit days. I’m still learning what I need.

But I’m here.

And honestly, that’s enough for today.

1st October feels like the right day to start again. Today is my late mum’s birthday. ❤️

It’s also the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month - something particularly close to my heart (alongside other campaigns), and the start of a month where I’ll be talking more openly about the things that matter to me: VAWG, invisible disability, chronic illness, mental health, trauma, domestic and sexual violence, culture, diversity, equity, inclusion…and everything in between.

There is a lot I want to say.

And, believe me, there is a LOT I’ve lived. I’m not going to try and squeeze it all into one post.

We’ll get there. One conversation at a time. For now, I’m just done putting pressure on myself to catch up.

I’m starting where I am. A little more honestly. A little more openly. And with considerably less willingness to make myself small.

I’m here.

Let’s see what happens next. 💜 Photo of Simran standing in front of a floral decorative wall. She is wearing an floral print dress and black shoes. She has her hair straight and is wearing makeup with pink heart sunglasses and smiling, leaning on a zebra prop. by @chronically_simran

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a day ago

The work doesn’t stop just because it’s not visible.

It’s taken me some time to realise something about advocacy… Sometimes the most important work you’ll ever do won’t be seen online.

Over the past few weeks, life has asked a lot of me. Alongside my full-time job, I’ve been:

•Navigating severe chronic illness and ongoing health challenges.
•Attending countless appointments while simply trying to take care of myself and get through each day.
•Showing up every week for a domestic abuse recovery programme.
•Understanding and learning to navigate new C-PTSD triggers with compassion, rather than judgement.

So while I haven’t been posting…

I haven’t stopped learning.

If anything, this season has reminded me why I started advocating in the first place.

Because awareness isn’t just something we post about.

It’s something we live.

The conversations around trauma, disability, mental health, chronic illness, culture and healing don’t stop because life gets hard.

If anything…

They become even more important.

As we move through South Asian Heritage Month and Disability Pride Month, I’m looking forward to sharing more of my story, more of what I’m learning, and continuing the conversations that matter most to me.

Thank you for being here - even when I’ve been quieter than I intended.

I’m letting go of the pressure to “catch up” and choosing instead to begin again.

One conversation at a time. Because the conversations we avoid are often the ones we need most. 💜

#MentalHealthAwareness #ChronicIllnessAwareness #SouthAsianHeritageMonth #DisabilityPrideMonth #TraumaRecovery Advocacy by @chronically_simran

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3 months ago

One thing people don’t talk about enough is how trauma can make visibility feel unsafe.

Especially when you’ve spent years feeling unsupported, judged, misunderstood or emotionally unsafe in different relationships and environments.

You learn to shrink
To hesitate
To overthink
To stay quiet
To question whether taking up space is even safe for you.

And sometimes people mistake that for insecurity or lack of confidence; when really, it’s a nervous system shaped by survival.

I’ve realised that a huge part of my healing journey has been learning that I don’t need to disappear just to feel emotionally safe anymore.

And honestly? I think many people carry that silently.

Mental health conversations need to go beyond surface-level positivity sometimes.

We also need to talk about the long-term effects of trauma,
what survival mode actually looks like and how difficult it can be to reconnect with yourself after years of shrinking to survive.

Healing is layered. And so is visibility. 💜

If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments ⬇️🫶🏽✨

#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthAdvocate #VisibilityStruggle #SurvivalMode Mirror selfie of Simran standing in a lift. She is wearing blue jeans, black top, black jacket and carrying a black handbag. She has her hair styled curly and is wearing makeup. by @chronically_simran

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4 months ago

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5 months ago

Just because I’ve been quiet…doesn’t mean I’ve been still. 👀✨

Not everything I’ve been doing has been visible…but this felt like a moment to share. 💜

I’m honoured to be a finalist for Crowned With Courage - a space that recognises strength, resilience and the journeys we don’t always see - including mine.

Created by survivors, for survivors, Crowned With Courage is a UK pageant that empowers, rebuilds and uplifts those impacted by Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The past year hasn’t been easy.
Navigating life changes, health challenges, grief, and everything in between hasn’t always left room to show up online…

…but the work hasn’t stopped.

And neither have I. 💪🏽✨

This moment is a reminder that even in quieter seasons -
growth is still happening.

Grateful. Proud. And still moving forward. 🙏🏽

Quiet, but not small.🔥

#CrownedWithCourage #PageantryWithPurpose #VAWG #Survivor #SouthAsianWomen by @chronically_simran

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5 months ago

📣 Please welcome our next finalist 📣

Simran, 40, Cheshire

Simran’s journey hasn’t been an easy one having experienced multiple forms of abuse, including domestic violence, rape and sexual assault and now living with chronic health conditions as a result, which impact her both physically and mentally.

For many years, Simran struggled deeply with her mental health and often felt isolated in those experiences, something that is still widely misunderstood and rarely spoken about, particularly within South Asian communities.

Over time, she moved from simply surviving to rebuilding. Over the past five years, Simran has been learning to understand herself, recognise her worth, and find the courage to begin speaking about the parts of my life she once kept hidden.

Turning 40 recently is a milestone she didn’t think she would reach, and it marked a real shift in her journey. She now feels ready to use her voice, share her story, and step further into advocacy work.

Representation is deeply important to her. Too many experiences are silenced or normalised and she wants to help change that so others feel seen, heard and less alone.

Simran is here as a survivor, standing in her truth, ready to inspire others 👑

We are beyond delighted to welcome Simran to the Crowned With Courage family, we know she was made to do this and we can’t wait to watch her shine ❤️ 👑

#CrownedWithCourage #PageantryWithPurpose #WomenSupportingWomen #VAWG #Survivor SouthAsianWomen taken in Windsor Great Park by @chronically_simran

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5 months ago

I turned 40 recently 🥳🥳🥳

And honestly…I didn’t always believe I’d make it here.

I’ve lived through things that tried to break me - silently, repeatedly, and from a young age.
There were moments I questioned my worth, my place - even my existence.

But I’m still here.
After everything I’ve faced, that still feels like something to honour.

And I’m not just surviving anymore…I’m remembering who I am. Again. 💪🏽✨

This past season has reminded me of something important:
Not everyone will show up for you the way you show up for them.

And instead of letting that break me…I let it teach me.

So at 40, I’m choosing different.

I’m choosing:
• Peace over proving
• Boundaries over burnout
• Reciprocity over one-sided effort
• Presence over people-pleasing
• Myself - fully and unapologetically

I’m no longer measuring my worth by who stays, who goes, or who claps for me.

Because I made it.

Through everything - I f*cking made it!

And that alone is worth celebrating.

Here’s to this next chapter -
grounded, intentional and fully me.

Happy 40th to me.
I’m celebrating this milestone for the rest of 2026 🎉🎂💥🎈

#ChronicallySimran #BigBirthday #Chapter40 #40AndFabulous #ThisMilestoneHitsDifferent Photo of Simran standing and posing with both hands on her hips by a bay window decorated with birthday bunting and balloons. She is wearing blue jeans, a black lace top, has her hair styled straight and wearing wearing makeup. She’s smiling big. by @chronically_simran

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5 months ago

Took a break. Found myself. I’m back!

Something shifted while I was away.

I stopped downplaying myself.
Stopped shrinking.
Stopped waiting.

And most importantly…
I remembered exactly who TF I am and the power I hold! 💁🏽‍♀️✨💪🏽

*Video ID listed in the comments*

#ImBack #NewEnergy #QuietConfidence #LevelUpSeason #WatchThisSpace by @chronically_simran

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5 months ago

I haven’t posted in a while...Why?

I needed time.

Time to slow down, to heal, to navigate life behind the scenes - chronic illness, big changes, new beginnings and everything in between.

Not everything is meant to be shared in real time. Some seasons are for living, not posting.

But that space? It changed me. It helped me grow, reset and step into a version of myself that feels more aligned than ever.

And now…I’m back. Stronger, softer and ready for a new chapter 💪🏽

*Image ID listed in the comments*

#SelfAdvocacy #ChronicIllnessJourney #InvisibleDisability #NeurodivergentVoices #IntentionalLiving On Chonically Simran's branded, the text in dark green font says:
“I didn’t disappear.
(space)
I just needed to live offline for a while.” by @chronically_simran

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5 months ago

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5 months ago

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a year ago

Remember: you’re doing your best. Always.

It’s okay to pause, to rest and to take a day (or few) just for you. If you need more time, take it - without guilt.

Healing requires grace and kindness, especially from yourself. 💜

*Image ID listed in the comments*

#ChronicallySimran #ChronicIllness #ChronicIllnessWarrior #InvisibleIllness #ChronicFatigue #ChronicPain #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCare #HealingJourney #RestIsProductive #ChronicIllnessSupport #SpoonieLife #AutoimmuneWarrior #ChronicIllnessCommunity #BurnoutRecovery #GiveYourselfGrace On Chonically Simran's branded, the text in dark green font says:
"Chronic illness burnout is no joke.
(space)
Living with constant symptoms, endless appointments and the mental weight that never quite lifts.
(space)
It’s exhausting in ways most people will never see.
(space)
The strain can leave us feeling drained, defeated and done.” by @chronically_simran

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a year ago