When I got sick with Covid-19 in early March, I had no idea that I was crossing a threshold. As my symptoms worsened, life seemed to tip on its side, tossing me from the comfort of a well-worn couch—from the steadiness of a body that obligingly did nearly everything I asked of it. I found myself tumbling through a doorway that wasn’t supposed to exist, at least not for me. And still, I imagined that life would quickly pivot again—my body would heal, it just needed a few weeks’ time—and when it did, gravity would deliver me back into the warm embrace of normalcy.
Realizing I was having a flare-up this morning, I had to find the resolve to say NO to coffee... It was comforting to read this reinforcement along with my cup of ginger tea. :)
Thank you for this. The greatest challenge for me is in being totally in the present with happiness. Rather than the ‘what if’ of the future. This is nothing new for me I guess but covid has sharpened the need to enjoy enjoy today, even if it’s difficult, and boy a relapse this week has been hard to resign to and relax into. I’m inspired by your post and I’ll take a look at the yoga. Xx
Beautifully written. I tend to get very frustrated and disappointed when I feel I’m heading in the right direction and then have a setback. It can be very difficult at times. Okay, many times! We just have to try to keep heading forward.
Love this thank you Lisa 🙏 saying no has always been hard for me. You have awakened me to a new reality! I am learning to say NO big time. Since fully accepting and surrendering into “relapses will happen”, I have been feeling so much more peaceful. I just had a mild two day relapse and I’m sure it was mild and easier to cope with as a result of accepting it and inviting it in. Sending you virtual hugs 🤗
This is so true and beautifully written- thank you so much.☺️
Last spring I was juggling a full time teaching job, a full-on PGDip and buying my first house, which required a lot of work. My friends used to call me ‘Duracell 🐰’ as they were astonished by my energy levels, which I always took for granted.
Fast forwarding to spring and summer 2020, I can’t get up the stairs to use the loo or can’t solve half of beginners crossword puzzle without getting exhausted.
‘Duracell’ is now feeling an old, well used battery dropped on the floor of an abandoned house...
And yet, I have never appreciated the little things and I have never celebrated the small victories more than I do now. And this is because of wonderful people like you, Lisa, who are teaching me each day how to accept some NOs and to be grateful for each YES.
What a beautiful and inspiring way to put it! I will print this post and keep it with me to read it again whenever I feel frustrated by a no. Thank you so much. <3
Once again you are articulating so perfectly what I, and I suspect others, are feeling. Thank you. It’s difficult to slow down when everyone, including close friends and family, are doing their normal thing ... things that were so normal to us a few months ago but feel alien now, or at least out of reach. I would like to get back to doing these things again someday or find a way to do them but by alternative means. Today my whole family has me laughing at the thought of me getting around using a mobility scooter. To them it was a crazy, unrealistic idea .... to me it was a hysterical possibility!! This illustrates how much life has changed. Will everyone slow down to my pace? I’m currently on holiday in Cornwall and my husband and eldest son (18) have taken time to walk with me, or rather bench-crawl with me a few times! My youngest two (13 and 12) latched onto their Aunty who operated at their high speed. Operating on go-slow certainly gives you many more views of things that others speed past and miss. One thing I’m finding it hard to say no to is chatting but thankfully I seem to be quite good at this especially in the evenings. And I’m saying yes to chatting to complete strangers online because they understand. I look forward to your yoga video 🧘♀️
I look forward to reading your posts. Makes me feel grounded. You document this experience in a such a way that it is relatable to all of us. The hardest Nos are saying, ¨I cant today¨ to friends, and I have to ¨take a leave from work¨ to my special education parents and students. At month 6, I have two-three days where I can barely get out of bed, but thanks to your support along with this group, I find inspiration to keep going. Im looking forward to your yoga video:)
This is amazing, when I'm having relapses laying alone in illness, this reminds me that I'm not alone.
Realizing I was having a flare-up this morning, I had to find the resolve to say NO to coffee... It was comforting to read this reinforcement along with my cup of ginger tea. :)
Thank you for this. The greatest challenge for me is in being totally in the present with happiness. Rather than the ‘what if’ of the future. This is nothing new for me I guess but covid has sharpened the need to enjoy enjoy today, even if it’s difficult, and boy a relapse this week has been hard to resign to and relax into. I’m inspired by your post and I’ll take a look at the yoga. Xx
Thank you, this was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Have a lovely weekend and I’ll be looking forward to your yoga video posting.
Beautifully written. I tend to get very frustrated and disappointed when I feel I’m heading in the right direction and then have a setback. It can be very difficult at times. Okay, many times! We just have to try to keep heading forward.
Thank goodness for you and your writing! It’s so helpful to know others understand!
Love this thank you Lisa 🙏 saying no has always been hard for me. You have awakened me to a new reality! I am learning to say NO big time. Since fully accepting and surrendering into “relapses will happen”, I have been feeling so much more peaceful. I just had a mild two day relapse and I’m sure it was mild and easier to cope with as a result of accepting it and inviting it in. Sending you virtual hugs 🤗
This is so true and beautifully written- thank you so much.☺️
Last spring I was juggling a full time teaching job, a full-on PGDip and buying my first house, which required a lot of work. My friends used to call me ‘Duracell 🐰’ as they were astonished by my energy levels, which I always took for granted.
Fast forwarding to spring and summer 2020, I can’t get up the stairs to use the loo or can’t solve half of beginners crossword puzzle without getting exhausted.
‘Duracell’ is now feeling an old, well used battery dropped on the floor of an abandoned house...
And yet, I have never appreciated the little things and I have never celebrated the small victories more than I do now. And this is because of wonderful people like you, Lisa, who are teaching me each day how to accept some NOs and to be grateful for each YES.
Thank you! 💐💕
What a beautiful and inspiring way to put it! I will print this post and keep it with me to read it again whenever I feel frustrated by a no. Thank you so much. <3
Once again you are articulating so perfectly what I, and I suspect others, are feeling. Thank you. It’s difficult to slow down when everyone, including close friends and family, are doing their normal thing ... things that were so normal to us a few months ago but feel alien now, or at least out of reach. I would like to get back to doing these things again someday or find a way to do them but by alternative means. Today my whole family has me laughing at the thought of me getting around using a mobility scooter. To them it was a crazy, unrealistic idea .... to me it was a hysterical possibility!! This illustrates how much life has changed. Will everyone slow down to my pace? I’m currently on holiday in Cornwall and my husband and eldest son (18) have taken time to walk with me, or rather bench-crawl with me a few times! My youngest two (13 and 12) latched onto their Aunty who operated at their high speed. Operating on go-slow certainly gives you many more views of things that others speed past and miss. One thing I’m finding it hard to say no to is chatting but thankfully I seem to be quite good at this especially in the evenings. And I’m saying yes to chatting to complete strangers online because they understand. I look forward to your yoga video 🧘♀️
I look forward to reading your posts. Makes me feel grounded. You document this experience in a such a way that it is relatable to all of us. The hardest Nos are saying, ¨I cant today¨ to friends, and I have to ¨take a leave from work¨ to my special education parents and students. At month 6, I have two-three days where I can barely get out of bed, but thanks to your support along with this group, I find inspiration to keep going. Im looking forward to your yoga video:)