Welcome to my personal reflections on life, love and the world around me. Be prepared for a variety of topics; crafts and recipes, self-improvement initiatives, quirks and quotes, and other tidbits of interest that come into my view. The journey begins...walk with me.
Saturday, February 1, 2025
I Do Not Like Pain
It hurts. Some days it hurts a LOT! It hurts to stand. It hurts to sit. It hurts to walk. (There is no running anymore.) It hurts to get into bed. It hurts to get out of bed. It hurts to BE in bed. My younger self could never have imagined this level of pain.
I’m not telling you all this to gain sympathy or make you feel sorry for me. I only want to pass along a bit of wisdom and advice that I’ve learned on this journey. I hope it helps you on yours.
As you get older, you tend to think that you can do all the things you could do when you were young. That is a huge fallacy! Yet you keep pushing yourself anyway. Let me reassure you that doing that is a BAD idea! You are only making things worse for yourself. Listen to the clues your body is giving you. Heed the warning signs before it is too late. Don’t be stubborn like I was.
I fell way too many times before I would admit to myself that maybe I should use the walker that had been sitting in my car virtually unused for a couple of years. I had to come to the understanding that it was not admitting defeat but an acknowledgement that I have limitations. It’s a reality that I’ve had to accept and adapt to whether I like it or not.
Here is another vital lesson that took a while to sink in. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it. This was a tough one for me as I’ve always been a fairly independent person. I would struggle away on my own, typically hurting myself more for my efforts. Now I ask for help more than I might like to but I know it is the best course of action. It’s not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.
People who knew better than me kept telling me the 90% of pain management is in your head. I’ve come to realize how true that statement is. It’s how you ‘frame it’ in your mind. I could be miserable and cantankerous every single day but that will not make things better for me. And it certainly would be unpleasant for all those around me too. I had to decide who wins this battle, me or the pain? The answer is clear…ME. I choose to be happy in spite of it.
Drugs and alcohol might provide temporary respite but that is a slippery slope to get on. The more you take, the more you need to get the same level relief. It’s a losing battle. Learn to live your best life even in the face of constant pain. It’s possible, believe me. Take your prescribed medication as instructed by your doctor, nothing more. And one final bit of advice. Don’t try to be a hero. You are not doing yourself any favours.
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