Living with a chronic condition brings challenges into your life, a whole lot of them on some days. As a result, your vision for the future may not look quite the way you thought it would before your diagnosis. Think about your vision as a work in progress, based on positive intentions for what you […]
Enough with the “should-ing.” Every time the word “should” creeps into your self-talk, ask yourself: “Who says?” Asking this question is a way to assess when the need to be perfect – and to live up to unrealistic expectations for yourself and others – is interfering with your well-being. In other words, call yourself out […]
People who are living with chronic conditions often talk about how their diagnosis has helped them to recognize their own resilience. They have tapped into sources of strength, and learned to be resourceful, in ways they never thought possible. Yet, at the same time, one of those curveballs, or a series of curveballs, can leave […]
Human beings spend their waking hours in an ongoing conversation with themselves. What’s going on with your inner dialogue? If you are constantly telling yourself how bad things are, and what you can’t do, then you are allowing yourself to be pushed around by the voice of the big bully in your mind. When you […]
When you bump up against a new challenge, go off by yourself and do some brainstorming. Define the challenge. Review your strengths, as well as the resources that you have to draw upon to solve it. Come up with a potential solution. By going through this process, you will have a clearer idea of what […]
I often tell my clients that if they want to feel like taking action before they actually start taking action in their lives, the two of us might be sitting here for a long time. How trying the opposite approach: Taking action and letting the feelings catch up? Take a step, even a small step. […]
Are your friends and family labeling you with your diagnosis and treating you like you are “sick?” Here is what I tell my clients: You are not a diagnosis. Keep focused on the big picture —who you are to yourself and to others, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Remind yourself every day that you are a […]
Families facing chronic illness are constantly at risk for stress, and unacknowledged stress interferes with communications. Whether they hear you talking when you don’t think they are around, or simply see the tension in your face and your behavior, children know when something is not right with their parents. They may take a guess at […]
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 […]
Expecting 100% can be a setup for a letdown. Behind the science and technology of healthcare are humans. And humans aren’t perfect. Healthcare professionals aren’t always so responsive. Delays are going to happen, along with the restrictions and inconveniences of managed care. And you’re human too. So what if, instead of expecting perfection, you expected […]