We tend to do a lot of self-evaluation when a new year begins. It’s an opportunity to take stock of yourself, to think about where you are in life, what’s working and what’s not working so well. To modify or reconfirm your vision for the future. If you are living with a chronic condition, then chances are these moments in front of the mirror have special meaning for you. You may have additional factors that you consider as in your self-evaluation, like physical and emotional self-care, compliance with treatment regimens, any potential effects of your condition… That’s a lot to think about. (And chances are, you’ve got other people in your life, including concerned family members and medical professionals, who also have an eye on you, and aren’t shy about giving you their opinions.) Moments of self-evaluation leave you with a choice. You can cut yourself some slack, and focus on what’s working in your life, as well as the possibilities for the future. In a word, optimism. Or, your self-evaluation can slip and slide into self-criticism, woulda-shoulda-coulda thinking, and regret. In another word, self-criticism. You have a choice.
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