by Chia Chia Cheng, Dip. NCCAOM, CNFM, L.Ac.
I’m gonna be honest with you. I’m slowing losing it. I feel this on several layers.
Here are 6 things that make me think I’m losing a grip on this “Stay home. Stay safe.” campaign.
- I’m waking at different times in the morning. Sometimes too early and I can’t fall back to sleep.
- I’m doing lights out at the same time as before SIP, and sometimes up to an hour later. Which is too late for me.
- I feel dissatisfied with my level of productivity. Even though I am busy throughout the day.
- When I take Artemis for a walk, I feel like half the folks I encounter hate my guts.
- I feel moderate to severe physical pain depending on how I move my body. I’ve been rotating through 3 injuries in the last 3 weeks.
- I’m eating bread. 😬 Organic sourdough from Whole Foods or New Seasons is my kryptonite.
I, too, struggle.
Yesterday I took about 500 steps. I didn’t feel like doing anything. My mind was mush. I didn’t veg in front of the TV or scroll endlessly on my phone. The whole day went by. My whole focus was on putting one foot in front of the other, to avoid falling or hurting myself more. I gave myself heat and ice therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy.
It’s taking every ounce of will power to NOT take 800 mg of Advil for my physical pain. (Instead, I’m triple dosing on Turmeric Forte and Olprima fish oil.). No amount of distance learning that I do reduces my sense of helplessness. I haven’t cleaned my house in a week. (I actually can’t due to physical limitations. Yay! A silver lining) In two days, I will find myself alone in an empty house. Again.
Which begs the question: What will next week be like? How will my struggle with pain influence how I feel about life on any given day?
The time to plan for a positive outcome next week is now. Here’s what I’m going to do starting today to help myself feel better:
- Reach out to at least two persons a day who are a positive force in my life.
- Move my body in ways that promote circulation and joy, while acknowledging the pain I experience.
- Practice daily gratitude and acceptance for what I like and what I don’t like.
- Allow myself to feel the mix of emotions that flood me when I least expect them.
Have you been living with chronic pain? Maybe you get a break and have good days. Maybe you don’t get a break. Either way I’m sorry things have been hard for you.
May you have hope that the pain you live with today is temporary.
I know I’ll feel better in a few days or a week. I am certain the current level of suck will pass. I know what I need to do to feel better. I’ve been in this place of discomfort before. I will follow through.
For now it really sucks though.
And you? Do you know what you need to do to move beyond the pain you feel today? I have some ideas.
Let’s talk about what would work for you.
Be well. Stay connected.
