Good Afternoon, Friends!
I know it’s been a while.. but some things never change. Check out today’s Song of the Week post to hear an old favourite of mine.
So, I’m all moved into the new apartment! It’s amazing. I feel so lucky to be here and to have had the help that we did; we really could not have done this on our own. In under a week the apartment is put together and looking like a home. Thankfully the pets transitioned well- far better than I expected! Lola is adjusted to not having a backyard anymore but now she gets 4 walks a day to make up for it, so I think she’s quite enjoying this new arrangement. And I am, also! I have more energy now than I could have ever expected. It could be adrenaline propelling me forward, but I’m grateful for it, whatever the case.
The title of today’s post seems a little weird, I know, but I was watching something a couple of weeks ago and jotted down “you’re not a bug to be squashed. You’re a warrior.” I’m not sure what I was watching and when I Google these words nothing familiar comes up. I could have been hallucinating the whole thing, but I am as inspired now as I was when I first heard (imagined?) it.
Our lives as spoonies can be just one appointment after another, one symptom after another, one doctor after another, one medication after another, until it is all consuming and your identity is lost. There is no shame in this. It is what it is. But what can happen is that you begin identifying as a patient, as an illness, as a collection of symptoms. You can begin identifying as something far less than you are. When you look in the mirror and see uncombed hair, unbrushed teeth, blotchy skin from a tear-stained pillow, you begin to see yourself as small. As a bug. As something that needs taking care of.
You are not these things. You just aren’t. You are a person. And more than that, you are a warrior.
You are not a bug to be squashed. You are not a problem that needs to be taken care of. You are not something that is to be ignored or removed. You are not an inconvenience. You are not just a patient or an illness. You are a force to be reckoned with. And if nobody ever told you this, I am telling you this now.
It is one thing to hear it/read it/say it, and another to truly believe it. So how do you put these words into practice?
I enjoy mantras or affirmations. Stick some Post-It notes on your mirror that say “I am Fierce, I am more than my illnesses, I am Powerful” or whatever it is you believe will be most effective for you. Whatever you need to hear every day until you believe it.
Ask some friends or family members what they think your biggest strengths are. It’s always nice to hear from other people’s points of view, especially if you’re having a particularly difficult time thinking of your strong points right this minute. I struggle with this myself sometimes. Write them down and look at them whenever you need to be reminded of the power within yourself.
Start writing. Even if you never show anybody. Even if you think you suck at it. Even if you don’t think you have anything to say. Even if you think nobody will care. Just sit down with a pen and paper (or your laptop) and just begin. You don’t have to start at the beginning. Start where you are in this moment. You can’t change anything about the beginning, but if you start now you can certainly change the ending.
Make your own rock star playlist. You can take from my Song of the Week section if you’ve been enjoying the tunes I’ve been selecting, or you can start fresh with all your picks. If you have a song that you think it amazing and really speaks to you, please feel free to share it with me! I’d love to use it one week and will totally give you credit! 🙂 We’re all looking to be inspired!
And, as always, message someone who has your back when you’re feeling like a bug again. I’m here for you if you want to chat. I know how strong you all are and would love to give you a pep talk if you’re in need.
Go out into the world and remember your strength.
Love,
Courtney
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