Resting and Resetting With Positive Intention
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There is no shame in spending time on something that didn’t work out the way we had planned, regardless of how long we spent on it.
At some point, those of us with myasthenia gravis (MG) will probably endure periods of forced rest, our plans won’t play out as expected, and we may no longer see our destined path. These experiences can make it challenging to find the motivation to stay hopeful.
We can’t criticize ourselves if we aren’t productive every day. We have a lot going on in our lives, and there is much going on in the world. Everything is overwhelming, so we must be compassionate to ourselves first. Healing takes time and requires patience.
Yet, whether we waste our free time and those periods of apprehension is up to us, and us only. Resting and avoiding obligations are different in that rest requires positive intentions to revamp oneself.
It can be difficult not to fall into an anxiety and depression daze when our thoughts start spiraling downward. Too much negative self-talk can render us unprepared for what lies ahead. But returning to self-sabotaging cycles makes it more difficult for our future selves to get back to reality.
In those with invisible illnesses, strength is often more profound than what others can outwardly see. As MG individuals, we need to believe that our life timelines will be individualized and unique.
We must ensure that we approach periods of rest with positive intention. Progress is one step and day at a time. We need to let go of any fear that we may be falling behind. As humans, we naturally look to the timeline of others’ lives when we feel unsure if we are becoming successful individuals at an average pace.
There needs to be a popular societal disassociation between overdrive and success. We should be admiring people who stay well-rounded and prioritize time for themselves.
Every case of MG is unique, and therefore most comparisons to non-MG individuals will be harmful as we set ourselves up for unrealistic expectations. It also isn’t beneficial to compare ourselves to our former versions or our perception of whom society wants us to be.
Comparison can be favorable if we connect to other folks with MG with similar experiences. Healthy comparisons should inspire us to keep our heads high and provide comfort that we are not alone.
It is always a perfect time to start making the most of whatever season of life we are currently in. Scenarios will never be ideal like we may want them to be. If we don’t trust our intuition, we will continue pushing our growth to the side.
Little progress is an achievement and nothing to belittle. We should celebrate all of our little victories to see that we indeed are growing into the wisest versions of ourselves. I love to document daily things I am grateful for, accomplishments, and lessons learned so that I can go back and reflect on my progress.
First and foremost, we must exercise self-care to better ourselves for when we are ready to return to reality. We can always access help. We will likely never regret putting our mental health first and giving our all to realizing our purpose.
The key is to work toward a place where we can be at peace with the unknown and stay grounded in the present. When we find ourselves in a mental fog, we must reflect on how we can make the most of what we have left. We don’t need to figure every aspect of our lives out at once. But reminding ourselves of everything MG cannot take away from us is always a great place to begin. We are worthy of new beginnings, experiences, goals, and dreams.
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Judith Valenzuela
So great to receive news n medical updates for MG, a desease or autoimmune disorder that I am also experiencing for the last 7 yrs.
Ann S Herzog
Wow!!! Jodi,
Well written with great understanding, of what we go through, so soon in your journey with us. Have you bought an Ice Vest for this Summer Fl. Heat? They help a lot, but get you wet. Lol
Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Ann S. Herzog RN,SCM
member since 2010
Thomas L Clark
Jodi, I enjoy your spunk. As an old codjer I will say go for life in the way that works for you. Thanks for being tough and even flamboyant. Your pose is great. I learned something about vision and tired face muscles. Holding my eyes back for astigmatism helped clear my vision. A flight surgeon caught me doing this during my physical. My near vision check portion he pulled my hand away telling me to read it without extra assist. I learned this trick by reading John Steinbeck "Wayward Bus". I still hold my nostrils open while I sleep. I still do what works, especially now with a cane.
Richard
Great insight and reflection. Was just diagnosed with Ocular/Bulbar MG on Aigust 18. In that early phase of getting medicine honed in.