Chronically Thriving

One thing that I have noticed during social distancing is how similar it is to my life during a flareup. In fact, I have been able to use this time to encourage my friends who are experiencing life at a distance from their friends and loved ones for the first time. What about you? Have you given your friends and family tips on how to enjoy this time of social distancing?

Whether you are in the middle of a flare up or living during a global pandemic, here are five activities to help you thrive from a distance. Each of these ideas can be done by yourself or with others.

Get some fresh air: Fresh air is a great way to clear your mind and help you to step away from what is going on in your world. Take a walk around your block or two around your house. Stop for a moment on your walk to stop and close your eyes. Feel the sun on your face and listen to the birds sing.

If you are unable to go outside, open your window. Pull up a chair and look around. What do you see? What do you hear? Take five minutes to just sit in silence. Don’t think about the chaos that is going on, just sit.

Reflect: I have never been good at keeping a journal, but in the middle of any struggle I find it extremely beneficial to reflect and keep track of five positive things are going on in my life that day. It makes it easier to focus on the good in my life rather than let the bad take over.

What are some things that you are thankful for even with everything that is going on?

Read the Bible: Whether you have been reading the Bible all your life or never opened it before, right now is a great time to start spending more time in the Word. In times of uncertainty, it is a relief to be reminded how consistent God is. The Bible is filled with God’s promises and steadfastness.

One thing that I have held onto during this time is that God works all things together for good. Paul writes in Romans 8:28 that “we know that for those who love God all things work together fo good, for those who are called according to his purposes.” It was a promise that I held onto after my diagnosis and it is a promise that I hold onto still.

Play a mental game or do a puzzle: My family has been doing a lot of Sudoku the last several weeks. The great thing about a game like Sudoku or a word search is that it makes you exercise your brain but in a different way than school or work–same with a puzzle. Go at your own pace. You don’t have to rush, just relax and solve the puzzle.

Look for fun connections: Coronavirus similarities are everywhere. During the last several weeks, my family has noticed references to quarantines, sicknesses or the Coronavirus in almost everything that we have watched. Tangled takes place in the Kingdom of Corona. Garfield, in The Tale of Two Kitties, relishes his imprisonment as a chance to step back and reflected on life. I have even noticed some fun connections in my Bible reading. Isaiah 26:20 says, “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed.”

During a flare up, pick a connection to watch for as you go about your day. Make sure to pick a funny connection because laughter will release endorphins and brighten your mood.

Your turn: What are some activities that have helped you during flare ups or while you social distance?

Chronic pain and illness make for a tough journey. Don’t do it alone. Subscribe below to join me on this journey.

Hello and welcome to my blog. 🙂

On March 11, 2019 my world spun out of control. As I stepped onto a bus to head into campus, I slipped on the ice and hit my knee. What followed in the next two months was one urgent care visit, two sets of x-rays, one MRI (plus a last minute canceled MRI), three different doctors and multiple physical therapy visits. The guesses of my physicians ranged from a stretched ligament to a bruised bone to a torn meniscus.

I was finally diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a nerve disorder that causes the brain to read normal stimulation as pain and a threat to my body. The threats my brain perceived included clothing, wind, the vibrations from the drums at church and my mother’s lightest touch.

From the beginning of my chronic journey, I knew that God was right beside me, but that didn’t stop me from trying to stand on my own strength. My pride kept me from asking people–even my own roommate–for help. I went five weeks without fresh food because I didn’t want to be a nuisance. For seven months, I thought that I was relying on God’s joy through my chronic pain.

It wasn’t until I attended my college ministry’s fall retreat and had to physically be two rooms away from the rest of the group to escape the vibrations of the drums that I finally realized the depth of isolation that I felt–not just from my friends, but from God as well.

During that retreat where I had nothing left to give, I learned that in order to fully lean on God, I had to let go of my own strength and fully collapse into Him. God was not as glorified in me powering through my weaknesses as he was when I fully collapsed into him.

I didn’t know anyone my age with chronic pain. I looked to God, my family, and my friends for support but I still felt alone. The internet also wasn’t very helpful. There was not a lot about college and chronic pain–especially not from a Christian world view. I didn’t want to just survive in college and life, I wanted to thrive.

By the grace of God and the support of those around me, I am thriving through my chronic issues. I want to encourage other young adults who are going through chronic pain and illness that it is still possible to have a life worth living. You’ve got this! I know that you feel isolated and alone (even betrayed) but you can thrive.

I cannot wait to start on this journey with you!

5 Ways to Thrive from a Distance

Chronically thriving through life and college