Chronic Pain has a Way of Tainting Life, But Life is Bigger Than Pain
When you're in the throes of pain every single day, the world can start to feel like a dark and ugly place. Chronic pain has a tendency to warp your thoughts; your mental health takes a nosedive together with your health.
Yet, it's a big, big world out there, and there is sure to be a touch of beauty somewhere. It might take a bit of effort to find them, but it gets better with practice.
*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 page for more information. Thank you!
Theme #2: Things I Find Beautiful in My Everyday Life Despite the Pain
My question to you is: What are some things you still find beautiful in your everyday life, despite all the pain and suffering you endure?
Personally for me, some things I find beautiful in my everyday life (or am grateful for), despite chronic pain include:
- My Loved Ones Who Show Up for Me Repeatedly. My family and friends who show up for me when I'm at my worst. Again and again and again.
- Flowers. Did I say I love flowers? To me, they represent life so perfectly - fragile, short-lived, but so, so beautiful.
- The Way My Dog Moves. Talisker doesn't simply 'walk' or 'jump'. He canters, and propels against gravity with all four paws.
- The Chirp of My Birds When I Play Music. So beautiful. How do they do it??
Check out what the chronic illness community has to share in the following excerpts. You are welcome to contribute your own insights as well at the end of the post 🙂
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Emma Gregory
“The sound of the birds singing, watching flowers coming into bloom, feeling the sun on my face, and my little boy’s beautiful smile which just brightens up my day.”
Surviving as Mom
“What I find beautiful…my children playing.”
Janessa Culliford
“The love my boyfriend Pascal and I share. The innocent silliness of my companion budgies. The vibrant green of the budding trees and grass outside the open bedroom window; the fresh green smell on the breeze that flows in!”
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Kat Gensler-Nic
“Being an educator, both to my child and others. Teaching children gives me resilience, perseverance, faith, and hope for the future.”
Natalie Jennings
“The beauty of my little boy growing up, and experiencing everyday things which I love to enjoy with him. They distract me from my daily struggles with MS.”
Rhiann Johns
“I have a lot of butterfly memorabilia in my bedroom which is a reminder that something beautiful and vibrant can come from an end of an old life or something dark. A symbol of hope.”
“Books I find inspirational as it allows us to be transported to new places when we are physically unable to. They allow us to live experiences that we may never get a chance to participate in otherwise.”
Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice
“The selflessness and kindness of my family and partner. The joy my little budgie and dog brings. The occasional flowers I buy and arrange for myself!”
I Hope This Little Roundup Brought Some Cheer
I hope that this roundup from the chronic illness community helps to jolt your own memories in a positive way. Having said that, I know just how difficult it can be to find anything beautiful or meaningful when the pain is all-consuming.
If you're just hanging for today, that is okay, too. You can check out the other parts of the #ProjChronicWisdom series for that type of day. Sending good thoughts, and I hope to hear your own take on the prompt for this series, too!
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