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How to Do Life Differently in 2022.
I can attest to Christine’s statement, especially for the past two pandemic years! My hubby and I deliberately decided to stay fit during the lockdowns. Since all the gyms were closed, we defaulted to walks and more strenuous hikes to keep the spirits high and the interest going.
We welcomed 2021 with great enthusiasm and expectations of the “old normal”. We forgot to stay focused on our hiking schedule. The summer was hot, and hiking was long forgotten. We overindulged in too much sugary stuff. We believed we need a new bathroom scale because the current one is for sure faulty. We did nothing to become unfit and unhealthy.
It’s the same for all the other areas in our lives. Casting Crowns (1) says life is a slow fade when you give yourself away. When we do nothing, we don’t even give ourselves away, we slip away. We fade away into negative thoughts and self-talk. The lies of the enemy become more believable every day. We indulge in one more chocolate, one more drink, one more late night, one more TV show instead of making the healthy choice.
As pain sufferers we take one extra pill for the pain, because the initial prescription is not enough. We go from one physician to the next to prescribe one more drug. We hope the next physician will be able to label the pain. Or maybe the next treatment would be the cure for our life sentence of pain.
Failure in managing your health will spiral you in ever increasing circles.
One day I realized I found comfort in my pain. How crazy is that? Very disturbing. We all desire to be pain free, right? Or dream about the day that we don’t have to think about our pain?
We are preoccupied with our pain. Pain keeps us busy with ourselves and leaves us drained. We feel miserable and life is a struggle. At first, we hated the pain. We resent the life sentence. Through the endless struggle we come to accept it. Pain becomes familiar. Comfort follows.
Don’t stop reading. I haven’t lost my mind! What will you do when you don’t have this pain burden anymore?
There will be nothing to complain about on Instagram. No more stay in bed because of your fatigue. Your daily chores are back in your court. And taking care of the kids are now your responsibility. You will have to face life and accept it’s challenges, grow up, and act like any normal person around you. Doesn’t that scare you more than your pain at this moment?
Be honest with yourself. When life is overwhelming, it feels comfortable to escape reality and fade into your pain where it’s just you, yourself, and your pain. It’s a sad place my friend.
The good news is that if you have reached this low, you have nothing to lose.
It’s time to think differently and do something differently. It’s time to take control. Put together a Pain and Life Management Plan. A plan will help you transform your wishes or dreams about a pain free moment into reality. You can do this.
My school of experience taught me to be my own health advocate.
Start with being your own health advocate. Gather a comprehensive health team as support to improve your health.
- A Chronic Pain Specialist (Physician) should be first on your list. They have suffered from Chronic Pain themselves. They know what to test for. Check my download page for a reference. (Lee add a link)
- Add a Chronic Pain Psychologist to assist working through emotional issues.
- Maybe a pharmacist to advise on all your medications would be a good idea.
- A Physical Therapist and/or a Gym Instructor depending on your health status to assist with a training program.
- Lastly but not the least ask a good friend to walk the path with you. This person will be your accountability partner. She/He believes in your mission. They fight with you, pick you up when it’s too hard and cheer you on. One step at a time.
Let’s put together a plan for the next year.
I have created a workbook(2) to assist with your plan. Download here.
Let me know how I can help.
Until Next Time
Anita Beukman
Your Hope Coach
References:
(1) It’s a slow fade by Casting Crowns
(2) Pain Management Plan for 2022.