APPARENTLY, I’m ending 2023 on a high.
… A sugar high.
Still, aside from stuffing my face with enough chocolate, mince pies, and cake to induce a diabetic coma – I think I can confidently say, this year has been a good one for me health-wise.
I’ve:
– Been to the gym most weeks – sometimes only once, or if I’m super lucky, twice. (Apart from hardly at all in Nov/Dec. And that’s okay. Rest is important.)
– Made 2 attempts at the Couch to 5K. It doesn’t matter that I failed both times. It matters that I felt able to at least try. And I will keep trying in 2024.
– Lost my PIP (Disability Benefits), because I’m no longer considered sick enough to qualify. (I’m choosing to see this as positive, despite my capabilities for employment being severely limited by my chronic ill health.)
– Been on road trips as a family to visit family & friends.
– Been to one party and actually DANCED! (NOT past my bedtime though. Let’s not be crazy!)
– Had one lovely dinner out with friends.
– Started planning mine and Pete’s wedding for next year. (We’ve been waiting over 5 years for us to both be able to say ‘I do,’ instead of ‘I don’t feel well enough’.)
Now, normally I might feel uncomfortable about making a NYE list of my achievements, as it feels a little ‘braggy’. However, my achievements are small enough and humbling enough to not feel like I’m showing off.
Some things in my list have included elements of stress which negatively impacted my health, HOWEVER, each thing has either brought me joy and/or a sense of freedom that I was missing for so many years when my ME/POTS was severe.
As such, this year has also brought an abundance of gratitude. I am literally grateful for every tiny – and large – thing I am now able to do. Regardless of whether it’s an exciting road trip to see friends and family, or mundane housework … it brings a sense of ‘normality’ to my life that I will never take for granted again.
Life with ME/POTS is HARD. Simply making it through each day in one piece is nothing short of a MEGA achievement.
So, if you are reading this, then a massive WELL DONE for surviving each day this year. All 365 of them. That is something to be proud of. Genuinely. It is enough. You are enough.
Finally, I am eternally grateful to you guys for all your support this year. Writing this blog is truly rewarding, and the reason for that has always been … you 😊
I wish each and every one of you a happy and (hopefully) healthier New Year.
And for those of us who go to bed at the normal time tonight – I wish us the superhuman ability to sleep through those pesky fireworks at midnight!
