Helpful Posts

This week I’m sharing five, helpful blog posts I’ve read related to living with chronic illness and pain. These posts have taught me or reminded me of important truths that have helped me live a more sane, upbeat life with my health conditions. I hope you find them as helpful!

Managing Expectations

1.The Silent Marriage Killer That’s More Deadly Than Sex & Money By Derek Harvey.

Despite the title speaking about marriage, the topic of expectations applies to all of us.Derek says,

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re single, married, working, unemployed, old, young or [insert demographic here]. Having unmet expectations is lethal to everyone. No one is immune.”

He then goes on to give a solution to the problem of unmet expectations. This article opened my eyes to the underlying reason for frustration in relationships and in my life. A short article worth every minute spent in reading it. As people with chronic illness, or as caregivers we deal with extra frustrations that healthy people don’t. Therefore, we really need this insight! Read this. You won’t regret it.

You Are The Captain Of Your Ship

 2.Chronic Disease Management Plan: Do You Have One By Sam Moss

In this post Sam talks about the need to re-evaluate our lives especially when things change. As we think about our “activities, environment, rest periods, doctor reviews, leisure activities, family/friends, and goals” we can make adjustments that help us live meaningful lives. Ultimately, our lives are made up of our choices and we can still be “the Captain of our ship” despite difficulties.

This post has inspired me to re-evaluate my activities, which specialists I see, and my treatments. My life is too busy right now, so I’m looking at possible changes I can make to lessen the busy and increase the  pleasant. No matter what our difficulties, we still have choices to how we want to live. Is it time to re-evaluate your disease management plan?

What To Do When Overwhelmed

3. Do The Next Thing by Vaneetha Rendall Risner. This motto “Do the next thing” has gotten me through many crushing periods of life. It helped me keep moving when my then three-year old was diagnosed with cancer. I was also able to keep going with this motto during my divorce and subsequent raising of six children. Vaneetha writes from a Christian perspective, and shares from her own overwhelming experiences. It is not preachy.

Dealing With Guilt & Shame

4. Escaping the Guilt and Shame of Chronic Illness and Pain by www.lifeinslowmotionblog.com

This article is a raw look at the emotions of guilt and shame experienced by those of us with debilitating illnesses or conditions. When we can’t do what we once could, because of our illness, we feel guilt. Guilt can lead to a profound sense of shame. For example, the author describes shame this way:

“Shame cuts to the deepest fragments of our identity, telling us we don’t matter, screaming that we have no worth, whispering words of inadequacy in our ears into the wee hours of the morning.”

This post is also written from a Christian perspective by someone with intimate experience with chronic illness. She shares how God’s love, and care for us makes us valuable just for who we are.

Fun Stress Relief

Last, but not least- FUN! There is something for everyone in this article. This article was a resource for a post I wrote called Five Ways To Tap Into Your Right Brain to Relieve Stress.

5. Twenty Art Therapy Activities You Can Try At Home To Destress by Jan Shultis

Finally, I hope that these posts help you live your best life! Till next time, Kathy

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