> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://achronicvoice.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # February 2018: Adapting to the Ebb & Flow of Chronic Pain and Depression - URL: https://achronicvoice.com/adapting-ebb-flow-chronic-pain-depression-february-2018/ - Published: 2018-01-31T16:00:37.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-08T14:35:52.000Z - Author: Sheryl Chan - Tags: Mental Health, Diary Entries, Self-Care, Chronic Illness, Community *\*Note: This article was originally written for my monthly linkups, which I've archived as it was taking too much out of me. However, I've kept most of the posts written as I realise it's much like a diary with memories that make me nostalgic or smile. I hope you enjoy reading them, too! 🙂* ## Adapting to the Ebb and Flow of Chronic Pain You’d think that after all this time, I would have gotten used to it by now, but no. It’s a little like sitting on a plane when an extreme bout of turbulence strikes - many people still get anxious no matter how frequent of a flier they are. [**My body was kind to me last month**](https://achronicvoice.com/reflections-refreshing-holiday-in-australia-january-2018/) over the holidays, and for that I am grateful. This week I am back in bed with a flare up, and felt a little disappointed as I thought that I could try cutting down [**my steroid medications**](https://achronicvoice.com/high-dose-steroids/) again. It’s funny how you never really get used to the turbulence. But I must say that I've also learned a lot about myself, and [**expanded my coping strategies**](https://achronicvoice.com/pain-management-tips-pain-flare/) over the years. Insights from mental health professionals, friends, and writing helps me a great deal. I may not know when this flare will subside, but that's okay. I'll just hang onto my hat, sit back, and wait for this storm to pass. *\*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. *I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice.* Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding *any* new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our* [***Privacy Policy***](https://achronicvoice.com/privacy-policy/)*page for more information. Thank you!* Read Related Posts: - [Best Tips for Preventing a Pain Flare (from 40 People with Chronic Illness)](https://achronicvoice.com/prevent-pain-flare/) - [7 Proven Strategies to Stay Resilient No Matter What Happens (from A to G)](https://achronicvoice.com/strategies-stay-resilient/) - [Why Painkillers are One of My Biggest Allies for a Decent Quality of Life](https://achronicvoice.com/painkillers-quality-of-life/) - [How to Use the 7 Dimensions of Wellness to Thrive with Chronic Pain](https://achronicvoice.com/dimensions-of-wellness-thrive-chronic-pain/) - [The Chronic Pain Cycle & How to Break It (Top Tips From an Occupational Therapist)](https://achronicvoice.com/break-chronic-pain-cycle-occupational-therapist-tips/) Pin to Your Chronic Illness Life Boards: ![February 2018 Prompts: Adapting, Practicing, Realising, Celebrating and Inviting](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/pin_prompts_18-02-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) ## Practising My Relaxation Skills Or non-existent relaxation skills, to be precise. I admit to being a bit of a worrywart, and tend to overanalyse things. Whilst this has been my best coping strategy so far, it isn't ideal for all situations. It's like chopping vegetables with a giant saw - there's no need for that, I should swap my tools if I want to be more productive. Your gut instincts are a different sort of intelligence, and ought to get a chance to speak as well. Besides, [overanalysis can lead to decision paralysis](https://markmanson.net/analysis-paralysis), and where's the good in that? Hence, I'm viewing the flare ups as an opportunity to practice letting go, and to be okay with the fact that I'll need to rearrange all my plans. I realise that the disappointment I feel from my self-imposed targets originates from the ego. So in a strange way, I'm glad for this roadblock and time to reflect. Read Related Posts: - [12 Lessons on Mindfulness (or “How to Relax” by Thich Nhat Hanh)](https://achronicvoice.com/lessons-on-mindfulness-thich-nhat-hanh/) - [365 Mindfulness Journaling Prompts for Self-Improvement](https://achronicvoice.com/365-mindfulness-journaling-prompts-for-self-improvement/) - [Uplifting Activities to Do While Recovering in Bed](https://achronicvoice.com/uplifting-activities-to-do-while-recovering-in-bed/) - [2018 September Prompts: Reconnecting, Confessing, Relaxing, Romanticising & Sharing](https://achronicvoice.com/reconnecting-friends-family-sharing-social-media-september-2018/) - [33 Things That Stop People with Chronic Illness From Leaving the House (Sans COVID-19)](https://achronicvoice.com/things-stop-people-chronic-illness-leaving-house/) ## Realising That My Motivation Is Kind Of Back! Whilst my motivation levels have been deflated due to medication changes, there has been an overall improvement of late. Seems like that vortioxetine my psychiatrist wanted to try in a final attempt did the trick. Call me naïve, but I didn't really think that medications could help with motivation, or that depression could affect it so much. For a while we wondered if my psychological symptoms - brain fog and the lack of motivation - were caused by the [Lupus, which can affect your central nervous system](https://www.lupus.org/resources/how-lupus-affects-the-nervous-system) as well. There are no tests to diagnose this, so it's done through a process of elimination (differential diagnosis). Since the medications are making a difference, it seems like the cause is due to my anxiety and depression. These mental issues are side effects of the steroids I take to control my Lupus - do you see the irony here? Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common for people with chronic illnesses. Read Related Posts: - [Tell Me You’re Chronically Ill Without Telling Me You’re Chronically Ill (Chronic Illness Memes)](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-memes/) - [Clinical Depression: Diagnosed 10 Years Late](https://achronicvoice.com/depression-diagnosed-late/) - [Depression After Knee Surgery & How to Cope](https://achronicvoice.com/depression-after-knee-surgery/) - [Today is Not a Good Day to Make Decisions (and That’s Okay)](https://achronicvoice.com/today-is-not-a-good-day/) - [The Savagery of Panic Attacks & The Saving Grace of Internet Friends](https://achronicvoice.com/panic-attacks-internet-friends/) ## Celebrating Chinese New Year (CNY) You could consider it the Chinese version of Christmas, in the sense that it's the biggest family event of the year, and lots of 'presents' are given in the form of red packets. My grandma used to live in an old flat in a Malay neighbourhood, and it was so much fun to gather there to celebrate events. She had 10 children and only two rooms, so the girls and boys slept on mattresses in separate rooms. The toilet was run down (frankly it was gross), and you needed to climb over a dangerous ledge to switch TV channels. But what I wouldn't trade to have that cosy little house back again. Environments possess their own ambience, which in turn affect your mood. It's a good reminder that it's never a waste to invest in my personal living space. Also, that it's just as important to [**get in touch with the outside world**](https://achronicvoice.com/keeping-up-despite-pain/) and with nature. ## Inviting More Joy Into My Life I believe that what goes round comes around, so the best way to do this is to give more of myself. I also want to put myself out there a little bit more, and push open the gaps of mundaneness in order to create breathing space. I am not saying that routines are lifeless; they do serve a purpose and can be a source of joy as well. But I think it's always a good idea to mix things up a bit, lest we become too rigid, and lose our greatest capability - the ability to adapt. We might take a short trip somewhere over the CNY holidays, and [**travelling is always a joy**](https://achronicvoice.com/travelling-with-chronic-illness-disability/), isn't it? At least it is for me 🙂 I also want to try and meet more people, be it for work, play or coffee. I may enjoy my solitude, but I know that being uncomfortable once in awhile for the right reasons can also bring about joy, even if the effects aren't immediate. Thank you for catching up with me for February 2018! You can [**read on with March 2018 here**](https://achronicvoice.com/sorting-medications-hike-little-adams-peak-march-2018/)**.** ## Sign Up for My Free Newsletter Be the first to get the latest post updates in your inbox, and unlock the comments section. You will also receive an e-book full of uplifting messages, quotes and illustrations as a token of appreciation! [Browse more membership plans here](#/portal/), or [make a one-off donation](https://ghost.achronicvoice.com/#/portal/support) instead. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Read Related Posts: - [December 2017: Recovering from a Cold & Reminiscing My Childhood in Hong Kong](https://achronicvoice.com/recovering-from-cold-reminiscing-childhood-hong-kong-december-2017/) - [#projChronicWisdom: Simple Pleasures I Can Enjoy While Stuck in Bed with Pain](https://achronicvoice.com/projchronicwisdom-simple-pleasures-enjoy-pain/) - [Find Your Way Back to Happiness with a Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/find-happiness-chronic-illness/) - [Life with Chronic Illness: Happiness and Pain Can Co-exist](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-happiness-and-pain/) - [November 2018: Meeting and Collaborating with Chronically Ill People in Real Life](https://achronicvoice.com/meeting-collaborating-chronically-ill-real-life-november-2018/)