Just over a month ago I wrote about feeling lost without a purpose. Mentally I was struggling with the whole drain that comes with treatment and physically I was finding the day to day stuff really difficult.
I decided that I couldn't keep going the way I had been - I recognised that it wasn't good for me and it wasn't good for my family either. So I spent a heap of time reading a myriad of articles to see what could I do to make myself feel better.
I'm really really really happy to say that I have found some answers. So what has changed? Not much in the sense that I'm still undergoing the same routine of weekly chemo - physically it's still challenging all the joyous side effects and heavy fog still exists BUT I have made some changes to how I go through each day and they are simple things that have made a real difference.
I have received so many emails and comments from people sharing their own stories of challenges - some of them are cancer related, others are health related, spiritual lostness and just the hard work that everyday life can be.
It reminds me of this quote by Plato
via pinterest.com
This is so true. Just when you think you have it tough you meet or hear someone else who is doing it far worse and it gives you perspective. I think its safe to say that no one these days has an easy walk through life. That's not to say that our own lifes challenges need to be something huge - it's the everyday stuff that I think makes some days harder than others and makes us feel less than at our best. I do get upset when I my friends say oh it's nothing compared to what you are doing - I want you to know I want to hear what's going on with people.
Many of you who read here daily are of a similar age and stage in your life as I am. 40 ish with school age children. I know some of you aren't, but a survey I ran some time back popped most of you in a similar demographic to me. Busy, crafty, family orientated wanting the most out of life, inspired others. Even before before breast cancer I struggled with life balance and feeling good on many days.
What does this all mean?
You are all invited to join me while I finalise my treatment to work together to feel better. For the next ten Fridays ( yes just ten weeks to go! ) I am going to post a Feel Better Friday entry and share with you the ways I have found to make myself feel better.
I'll challenge you to give one or two a go each week and see what works for you - come back and tell me. Keep it in your routine or ditch it and then see what the next week has to offer :)
I'll share articles I have found to read that make me think, yummy healthy recipes of everyday meals I am making for my family, ideas to make days go smoother, simple ways to incorporate exercise - (seriously the first week takes one minute a day - we can all find one minute) and general feel good stuff.
What I can guarantee you is that nothing I write will be hard or time consuming - we are all super busy but I know for me that I want to feel better and I would love to share with you what I have been learning and what is working. Selfishly I want to gain my own sense of purpose - it's something that is very important to me. So thank you for reading and allowing me to do this. I feel renewed.
I'll see you tomorrow with the first week - It's a long one so plan a nice cup of something to have while you read. Oh and why Friday ? Because it's the day I feel the worst and it's a great time of the week - end of school/work gives you a chance to think over the weekend and decide if you are going to give it ago and maybe, just maybe, feel better :)
I do hope you will.
