In today’s world we are expected to have it all together. To never miss a beat, to be at our best at all times, to smile and pretend that life is going great…..even when it is not.
Social media is filled with tiny snap shots of everyone’s life and guess what…it isn’t the bad part of our life. It isn’t the ugly. It isn’t the tears that flow at night as we lay in a fetal position in pain. It isn’t the hours spent cleaning the house that can only be done in small amounts of time due to pain, kids or illness. It isn’t the kids running wild with messy hair and food on their faces cause that is all we can mange from the sofa, hey at least they are being fed. It isn’t the unmade bed cause we are stuck in it and can’t move. It isn’t that moment that it hits you that you have hit rock bottom and feel hopeless. It isn’t the guilt you feel when you scroll social media and feel like a complete failure in life. How does anyone get their kids to all smile at the same time anyway??? What we see on social media is the good, the happy, the ”perfect” moments. That rare instant when the kids are actually listening during homeschool. Or that moment that everyone is actually getting along and happy. Or the promotions, date nights, clean houses, new adventures or the picture perfect moments! Guess what friends! That is not reality, it is only a very small part of it! But guess what it is okay!
It is okay to struggle, it is okay to grieve, it is okay to cry, it is okay to watch movies while stuffing your face with ice cream and chocolate (or is that just me???🤔)
Here is the key though. While it is okay to struggle, while it is okay to have bad day or an off day. While it is okay to feel hopeless, alone, scared, sad, disappointed, pained or angry. It is NOT okay to stay there. When we stay there, we will go deeper. Deeper into our heads, deeper into our pain, deeper into our grief. We have to stop the vicious cycle. We are the only ones that can pull ourself out of it. No one can make you come out of it, no one is responsible for your happiness. This is completely and totally on you.
The BIG question is how? How do we help pull ourselves out of our own head? Below you will find 5 ways to help you. As with anything, some of these things may help you and some may not, that is okay, use what you can and leave the rest.
Get up! This is the first and most important thing to try in my opinion. The more we lay in bed the harder it is to get out of our funk. Even if you just get up to move to the sofa, at least you are not in bed. Sometimes that small change of scenery helps. Even if you are in pain, take the time to slowly get up and move to the couch. Sometimes that small movement is helpful as well.
If you are stuck on the sofa/bed, instead of watching movies all day, take time to pick up an inspiring book and read a little. Feeding your mind is always a good way to get out of your head and distract you from pain.
Take a short walk or do a little stretching. Movement is good for the body. I know I get it, when I am in pain it takes a lot to convince me that movement is what I need but once you take that first step, it gets easier and when you are done, if you are like me, you will be glad you tried and you will feel just a little better.
Water! Staying hydrated is so so important to your health. Both physical and mental. If drinking water is something that you just don’t like, feel free to add lemon (natural anti inflammatory) or berries or whatever it is that will help you enjoy it better. Try it in different ways, with ice, without ice, in a cup, in a bottle, with a straw, without a straw. Just find a way that will help you enjoy it. Personally I prefer mine with ice and a straw. I am more likely to drink if I have a straw that I can sip from. Bonus points if it is a bendy straw so you can drink laying down. 😉 And last but not least…..
Find a support person/group. Facebook is full of different support groups for every possible thing out there. Do a search and get connected. Always remember you are never alone, someone out there is going through or has gone through whatever it is that you are going through. You just need to find them and when you do, the love and support you will have will help you in ways you never thought possible. Just knowing you are not alone, that someone knows exactly what you are going through can make a world of difference.
Please remember that you are never alone! I would love to connect with you on facebook. I pray you are having a low pain day.
The Chronic Warrior Momma 💜
Amanda Mendenhall
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