Life with Chronic Pain and Illness
Today’s Life with Chronic Pain and Illness reminder is one I’m still working on (and perhaps you are, too.): Let go of feeling guilty.
Most people grow up feeling that there are certain things they “should” do, and if they don’t, then they should feel guilty about it. To this day, I know that I carry around guilt that isn’t mine to carry, because the situations weren’t ones I should feel guilty about doing/not doing. And I know many people who struggle with this as well. In truth, guilt is only warranted when we’ve done something wrong, but, often, that’s not the case when it comes to the guilt we carry.
As humans, we often feel guilty when we don't live up to our own expectations, which can come with an emotional weight that's difficult to carry. Share on XAnd when you live with chronic pain and illness, carrying this extra baggage is even more detrimental … and even more damaging to our physical and emotional health.
Here are a few instances of guilt that we need to leave behind!
- Don’t feel guilty about moving on (from people or situations)
- Don’t feel guilty for not responding immediately to phone calls, text messages, or emails.
- Don’t feel guilty for saying “no.”
- Don’t feel guilty for putting yourself first on occasion.
- Don’t feel guilty for resting when you need to rest.
While prioritizing your time and mental health won’t automatically fix all your problems, erase all your pain, or eliminate your anxiety or depression, it will lighten your load a bit. In turn, that will make it easier for you to do what you need to do (all the while saving some of those limited spoons!).
I hope you have a blessed, low-pain day.
If you’d like to read more Life with Chronic Pain and Illness posts, click here.