Tis The Season
‘Tis the Season of counting our blessings, abundance and singing for joy but I know for many of us Chronic Warriors it also comes with feelings of overwhelm, over exertion and seasonal depression. Prayers and gentle hugs to you my fellow warriors if you find yourself struggling.
I want you to know that I understand. It is hard and I even have times when I struggle with pacing.
Thanksgiving. I had it all planned out. Then my plans fell apart, I fell behind my own schedule but I kept my spirits up, singing along with my music and accepting help when and how it was offered. Everything worked out in the end! We had a fantastic meal but the important thing was how we were all together as a family.
I rested on Friday. Oh boy did I need the full day to rest. I helped with one load of the dishwasher but that was the total energy output of my day. If I wasn’t sitting in my recliner I was laying on the couch, watching TV and taking a long nap. Rest and Recovery is just as important as movement. If you follow me on social media you might remember me saying ‘You are not lazy for resting. Resting is Active Healing.’
Saturday we went Christmas tree shopping! A long car drive towards my parents and then off to the first tree farm. Yes, we go to two different tree farms. The first tree farm is more accessible for my parents and my Mom’s walker. The second tree farm is more rustic. My boys and I prefer the hunt for the imperfect perfect Christmas tree. Hunting for our own tree and cutting it down ourselves has been a long standing family tradition since I was a kid and one that my husband and I have kept with our boys. Oh the memories!
Saturday was a day of long car rides and a lot of walking. I was exhausted. On our drive home we were treated with seeing this cool car, all decorated with lights. I took a picture while we were stuck in traffic. Sunday was another much needed day of rest and recovery.
Now? We are in a week of normalcy yet we still have Thanksgiving to finish cleaning up and Christmas to put up. All while coping with the colder temperatures and snow - trying hard to prevent a pain flare. Yes, Tis The Season! I still find so much joy and love with this time of year. I process my fear that a pain flare could prevent me from doing what I really want to do for the season. I process my desire and hope for what a successful holiday season looks like. Something I have learned to do? I reflect on seasons past…and yes, pictures tell a story. I take a stroll through my camera roll. It’s funny. When I reflect by looking at old photographs I barely remember the pain flare. The picture shows how happy we were.
Do you self reflect? Do you look back to help yourself account for today? Have you tried using pictures to help you with this mindset practice?
