Thanks for sharing this. I just had a conversation yesterday with a colleague that I'm not the same person I was 6 months ago. I too have come to realize how precious life is. Nothing like contracting
a deadly virus for a little perspective. I too am also terrible at waiting. I was formerly a Type A personality, a chronic worrier, and I would obsess over the littlest things. Mostly, I just didn't ever want to wait. Now I go for walks, listen to music, meditate and most importantly, I give myself a break. I've also given myself time to heal. No lists, no timetable. My job is to help my body heal and to do things that help with this goal. It's not always easy, but I think the investment is worth it.
I love this - "my job is to help my body heal." I've been thinking a lot about the connections between body and soul. Obviously our long-haul covid is a very physical ailment, and yet it also seems clear that our emotional and spiritual state impacts our physical recoveries. Like you, I've slowed my pace in many ways and have started meditating. I was always too busy and too impatient for meditation before, and even with all of this, it took me months to finally start, but I'm so glad that I have!
Thank you Lisa. Another thought provoking piece. I think a lot of long coviders who are at the 6 month mark are realising there’s no point in waiting to get better because well... 6 months have just passed doing just that! Having said that, it has been a life changing 6 months and not just in bad ways but some good ways too. For one, the relationship with my husband is much deeper and more loving, and I love love love nature outside my bedroom window 🥰
I love hearing about relationships that are deeper and closer as a result of hardships like long Covid! Like you, I just passed my 6-month mark. I was trying to explain to my 9-year-old today why, in many ways, I feel grateful for the experience of this illness. He clearly found it baffling. It's not that I enjoy being sick, but this experience has made me so much more appreciative of the thousand seemingly insignificant gifts that I experience every day (like nature outside my window). So like you, I've changed, and not just in bad ways!
Thanks so much for saying this. I kept putting things off. I would say I won’t have a little ice cream or take out Chinese food till I felt “normal”. It’s usually always food related! Well,I also stopped waiting. Need to have some enjoyment in life, no matter how you feel or how tough things are going.
Wow I had not been aware of my waiting state of mind before. Now I can see how much I have let external factors control and impact my ability to be in the present! Even though my chest is tight and I have very little energy today, I can still be in the present by focusing on the sun on my face, the taste and comfort of my tea as I sip it. Noticing sensations anchors me to the here and now. Thank you for expressing this so well.
Thank you Lisa, your writing resonates so deeply. You have an amazing attitude and ability to articulate the emotional experience of long haul Covid. I truly look forward to every newsletter!
I like to think that consciously choosing to enjoy the present moment also makes our rest more restorative! If stress makes my symptoms worse (it does), then softening into the present moment seems likely to help both soul and body!
Thanks for sharing this. I just had a conversation yesterday with a colleague that I'm not the same person I was 6 months ago. I too have come to realize how precious life is. Nothing like contracting
a deadly virus for a little perspective. I too am also terrible at waiting. I was formerly a Type A personality, a chronic worrier, and I would obsess over the littlest things. Mostly, I just didn't ever want to wait. Now I go for walks, listen to music, meditate and most importantly, I give myself a break. I've also given myself time to heal. No lists, no timetable. My job is to help my body heal and to do things that help with this goal. It's not always easy, but I think the investment is worth it.
You’re so right. Getting better is a job, and it’s worth the investment.
I love this - "my job is to help my body heal." I've been thinking a lot about the connections between body and soul. Obviously our long-haul covid is a very physical ailment, and yet it also seems clear that our emotional and spiritual state impacts our physical recoveries. Like you, I've slowed my pace in many ways and have started meditating. I was always too busy and too impatient for meditation before, and even with all of this, it took me months to finally start, but I'm so glad that I have!
Thank you Lisa. Another thought provoking piece. I think a lot of long coviders who are at the 6 month mark are realising there’s no point in waiting to get better because well... 6 months have just passed doing just that! Having said that, it has been a life changing 6 months and not just in bad ways but some good ways too. For one, the relationship with my husband is much deeper and more loving, and I love love love nature outside my bedroom window 🥰
I love hearing about relationships that are deeper and closer as a result of hardships like long Covid! Like you, I just passed my 6-month mark. I was trying to explain to my 9-year-old today why, in many ways, I feel grateful for the experience of this illness. He clearly found it baffling. It's not that I enjoy being sick, but this experience has made me so much more appreciative of the thousand seemingly insignificant gifts that I experience every day (like nature outside my window). So like you, I've changed, and not just in bad ways!
Thanks so much for saying this. I kept putting things off. I would say I won’t have a little ice cream or take out Chinese food till I felt “normal”. It’s usually always food related! Well,I also stopped waiting. Need to have some enjoyment in life, no matter how you feel or how tough things are going.
Mmmm, ice cream! You speak my language!
Wow I had not been aware of my waiting state of mind before. Now I can see how much I have let external factors control and impact my ability to be in the present! Even though my chest is tight and I have very little energy today, I can still be in the present by focusing on the sun on my face, the taste and comfort of my tea as I sip it. Noticing sensations anchors me to the here and now. Thank you for expressing this so well.
Thank you for sharing this, Kay! Wishing you many soothing and anchoring sensations in the coming day!
Thank you Lisa, your writing resonates so deeply. You have an amazing attitude and ability to articulate the emotional experience of long haul Covid. I truly look forward to every newsletter!
Thank you so much, Courtney! I think about you all and what to share all week long, and I'm so happy that you look forward to the newsletters!
This is a powerful lesson. Even as we rest or recover from relapses, there are things we can do to enjoy where we are right now.
I like to think that consciously choosing to enjoy the present moment also makes our rest more restorative! If stress makes my symptoms worse (it does), then softening into the present moment seems likely to help both soul and body!