Taking time just for you
As spoonies, our lives can often feel like something that happens to us. Our conditions, our pain, our treatment options, our reality – none of these were things we actively chose.
Whether through genetics, by chance, or through an accident – the conditions simply happened. That loss of choice – that loss of control - can feel vastly disempowering. The control over our bodies and lived reality has gone.
Which, understandably, can hit mental health hard *waves*.
But is there a way to claw back some of that emotional control and power?
I think there is: learning to take time for yourself purposefully.
It is so very easy to slip into doom scrolling or watching YouTube or telly or whatever. But when we take time for ourselves deliberately, we can regain some control.
The key is choice. Specifically choose an activity that works with your health - yes, even watching YouTube - and do it on purpose, rather than falling into it.
That active choice (and follow-through) of your chosen activity can give you a sense of emotional control. It is no longer passive - what is done to you, or what you fall into because you are bored. It is something you have chosen to do.
Of course, I should add here that please only do this if it is both safe, and you are not responsible for others during this time.
But this choice – this active choice – is control. Not as we once had it, but it still counts.
And I think that is really important on those harder days.
Sending spoonie hugs.
