Happy May!

A Link-Up Party with A Chronic Voice

 

 

I’m participating in the link-up party with A Chronic Voice, https://www.achronicvoice.com/, where we are given monthly writing prompts for a blog post.

It’s a chance to connect with other chronic illness bloggers. I’m excited and honored to have the opportunity to reflect on and write about the prompts Sheryl provides. Here is the link with all the details if you would like to take part yourself.  This month’s prompts are: Pushing, Stretching, Disciplining, Preserving, and Thanking.

 

 

Pushing:   Family, friends, and even providers have told me for years that I’m pushing myself way too much. I think it’s quite common for someone with chronic pain and illness to do that. You feel like you have to compensate on the good days for the days when you weren’t able to do as much as you wanted or needed to do. That’s how I’ve lived my life for years.

Over the past year, I’ve realized, and will finally admit, that my family and friends were correct. My body is speaking loud and clear—telling me that I’m pushing myself way too much, and I need to slow down and cut back. My symptoms have increased, and I’ve added in new ones (which is never a good thing).

As a result, I’m now working to cut back and slow down. (It’s a work in progress!) I hate telling people “No,” but I need to reevaluate what I truly need to do vs. what my mind and body feel I should do and make changes.

 

 

Stretching:   I’ve been stretching myself too thin. My own demands combined with a disruption in the massage therapy and chiropractic schedule I’ve kept for years has caused an increase in my pain over the past year or so. My anxiety has been stretched to the limit, as well. I’m attempting to cut back on my perceived demands, and I hope that in doing so, I’ll be able to free up time to add in regular stretching exercises (which my body will likely appreciate). 

 

Disciplining:   It will require discipline to incorporate the schedule changes I mentioned above. I have been very diligent and disciplined with my daily devotional/Bible study time. That’s one thing that won’t be adjusted. It’s something I need: regular time with the Lord.

 

 

Preserving:   I’m working on preserving my daily allotment of spoons. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Spoon Theory, you can read about it here.

We only have a certain amount of spoons each day, and we need to be frugal in how we spend them. On a related note, I’m also preserving my sanity by cutting back on the time I spend on social media.

I’m learning just how important it is to put myself first, at times. For someone who is a Type A personality, this is all a big adjustment! 

Thanking:    No matter what’s going on in my life, I know I have a lot of blessings. For a few years, I’ve kept a gratitude journal, and I make a point out of thanking others as much and as often as possible. And, my body is thanking me for working to slow down my schedule, allowing my body to have some much-needed down time. And on a daily basis, I’m thanking the Lord that He is with me and has plans for me.

 

So, that’s it for my link-up party blog post. Thanks for sticking with me. I hope you are staying healthy and doing well. Have a blessed day!

If you’d like to check out the other bloggers for this month’s linkup, you can do so over at A Chronic Voice.

 

To see my other Link-Up Party posts, click here.