So much of human suffering comes from our own actions. Personal emotional reactions and choices. Living with chronic illness is the same.
By refusing to accept my boundaries, I live in boom-bust cycle. I can’t regulate my nervous system if I am bombarding it with constant overwhelm.
We will not get better if we don’t learn to use the abilities we have well. I’m not saying that good pacing will cure us. But it will improve our quality of life.
This year my word is Joy. I want to focus on what will bring me joy. The tiny and the large.
But I also want to get better at accepting and adapting accordingly.
Fighting against my boundaries and deliberately not learning what the boundaries should be is a form of self-abuse.
This year the health improvements are unlikely to be found in the big but rather in the small.
2023
In 2023 I had the hysterectomy and endometriosis excision surgery – major surgery. I also started chiropractic treatment with a chiropractor who gets my nervous system totally. I finally began to understand the consequences of the chronic fatigue syndrome – not just in the limits fatigue places on one, but the additional symptoms such as orthostatic intolerance. I also began to understand the interstitial cystitis a little better and worked hard at avoiding what I know will flare it up.
2024
2024 will be the details. Continuing chiropractic care, nervous system support techniques, good pacing, and all of the many things I do to support my health daily. Also in trying to accept and adapt better. So fighting myself, even just emotionally, will need to stop to conserve energy.
Another thing I need to do is let other’s opinions and reactions to chronic illness slide off me like water off a duck’s back. We all have the hand we were dealt and we all do our best with it. Other’s can make their decisions, and I need to make mine. Easier said than done, but a goal nonetheless.
Another thing I need to do is let other’s opinions and reactions to chronic illness slide off me like water off a duck’s back.
Some of the little things I’ve noted, in case they help you too:
- Early morning sun light, fresh air and birdsong
- Noting the little things that bring me joy and doing them (a particular cup, painting my nails)
- Finding, adapting and indulging in activities that I enjoy
- More water, less caffeine
- More protein and fat
- 5 minutes of gentle strengthening exercises
What will you be focusing on in 2024?
Are you curious to see my journey with implementing these little things?
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