1. Acceptance, accept the pain, discomfort, and limitations you experience on a daily basis. 2.Take each day as it comes, if you look at the bigger picture and say to yourself "This is my life from now on" you're going to view your future as just pain and unhappiness rather than focusing on the here and now. 3. Find what works for you and your body when it comes to exercise and movement, we all struggle differently and have limitations placed on us, but moving and exercising is pivotal in reducing long term mobility issues and degenerative conditions that can make our pain increase in the long run. 4. Find a passion or a purpose that makes you focus your attention on that activity rather than your pain. I found my purpose in helping chronic illness and mental health sufferers by becoming an advocate and mentor, it not only gives me a purpose but emotionally connects me with the wider community. 5. Find every little bit of gratitude you have in your life and then find some more, finding gratitude in the small or bigger things in life boosts your mood. I.e Things could always be worse, so I'm grateful that I can still do X.Y,Z.. 6. Reinvent who you want to be, unfortunately for many chronic pain sufferers we are locked in a state of loss, longing for or wanting our old lives back. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen and maybe it's for the better, depending on your perspective..
I was a personal trainer and a hair and makeup artist before my car accident, I lost my businesses and had to stop studying for my degree, it sux but I would not have found my true calling which is to focus on total wellbeing and be the advocate for those who are still not able to find their purpose or light at the end of the tunnel.
7. Allow yourself days to feel the pain, the emotions, and the frustration, you are allowed to not be OK, but remember who you are, why you are still here, and allow yourself the next day to get back up, dust yourself off and be amazing!
8. We all have a story, some are deeper, darker, or more emotional so use your story to inspire others, not only live your truth but tell your truth, if your truth is you are not being heard by the medical community, tell your story and rally for change, we all have a voice.
9. Lots and lots of self-care, only you know what works for you in reducing pain or managing it, make it a priority before anything else because at the end of the day if your cup isn't full how are you expected to fill up other peoples cups.
10. Most importantly be kind to yourself! It's hard living with constant pain if you can't do something you promised to do, or you can't make an event or be there for a friend THAT'S OK, you are important too and need to do what is right by you, for you!
Live life on your terms, whatever that looks like to you is all that matters, just don't give up on advocating for yourself and seeking relief, we all have a right to feel our best 💜🦋
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