Ha! I was thinking you were going to write about how you had to have a talk with yourself in order to talk yourself into resting! (e.g. If I don't have COVID or a broken rib or pneumonia, I should work.) LOL. You were inspirational to me in combatting the voices in my head that were telling me I needed to work while my body was definitely telling me to rest and rest and rest and rest some more. For me, it's always easier to pep talk others. I am, however, getting better at pep talking myself into listening to my body. Oh, those voices!
When I did go back to work I had a conversation with a co-worker that opened up a whole other avenue of thinking - my beliefs about illness. Somewhere down the line (likely early on) I came to the strange belief that NOT getting sick proved something about my strength. Consequently, getting sick proved the opposite about my strength. And, of course, strength is the desirable attribute/character trait. In this scenario weakness might be the opposite of strength. And, in this type of belief system there seems to be culpability. If I were stronger I wouldn't be sick, therefore it is my fault that I am sick. Such an unhappy, unhealthy (dare I say, "sick") narrative! Luckily I have grown out of that belief, mostly. I still need support in combating the voices in my head that insist on sneaking in there to convince me.
Thank goodness I have so many allies! Thanks, Mary, for being one of the best!
Thanks for sharing, Lori! And for your kind words! I likewise appreciate you as support on the journey.
I imagine this line of thinking - the belief that getting sick is a weakness - is typical of our shared socio-cultural background. I too held this mistaken belief. As you said, it's such an "unhappy, unhealthy narrative." And it's akin to victim blaming, ie. you're sick because you weren't strong enough to resist the germs/illness/disease. I think perhaps people adopted these beliefs as a way to feel like they had some control over uncontrollable (and sometimes chaotic) circumstances. Like many beliefs, they were a coping mechanism.
While I believe our thoughts can impact our healing, we can't think ourselves out of actually contracting Covid, for example, when we have a close exposure. Thank goodness we have awareness about these beliefs and can mutually support each other in combatting unhelpful and unfounded ideas.
Glad you are on your way to feeling better! It also makes me think that sometimes we may need to "convalesce" from not only illness but to recharge our brains or bodies. A day resting in the yard to gain 'strength' for the week ahead! Have a good week. xo
Glad you’re on the mend, Mary. And, glad you still took the time to write this short post. Take care!❤️
Thanks, Deb!
Ha! I was thinking you were going to write about how you had to have a talk with yourself in order to talk yourself into resting! (e.g. If I don't have COVID or a broken rib or pneumonia, I should work.) LOL. You were inspirational to me in combatting the voices in my head that were telling me I needed to work while my body was definitely telling me to rest and rest and rest and rest some more. For me, it's always easier to pep talk others. I am, however, getting better at pep talking myself into listening to my body. Oh, those voices!
When I did go back to work I had a conversation with a co-worker that opened up a whole other avenue of thinking - my beliefs about illness. Somewhere down the line (likely early on) I came to the strange belief that NOT getting sick proved something about my strength. Consequently, getting sick proved the opposite about my strength. And, of course, strength is the desirable attribute/character trait. In this scenario weakness might be the opposite of strength. And, in this type of belief system there seems to be culpability. If I were stronger I wouldn't be sick, therefore it is my fault that I am sick. Such an unhappy, unhealthy (dare I say, "sick") narrative! Luckily I have grown out of that belief, mostly. I still need support in combating the voices in my head that insist on sneaking in there to convince me.
Thank goodness I have so many allies! Thanks, Mary, for being one of the best!
Thanks for sharing, Lori! And for your kind words! I likewise appreciate you as support on the journey.
I imagine this line of thinking - the belief that getting sick is a weakness - is typical of our shared socio-cultural background. I too held this mistaken belief. As you said, it's such an "unhappy, unhealthy narrative." And it's akin to victim blaming, ie. you're sick because you weren't strong enough to resist the germs/illness/disease. I think perhaps people adopted these beliefs as a way to feel like they had some control over uncontrollable (and sometimes chaotic) circumstances. Like many beliefs, they were a coping mechanism.
While I believe our thoughts can impact our healing, we can't think ourselves out of actually contracting Covid, for example, when we have a close exposure. Thank goodness we have awareness about these beliefs and can mutually support each other in combatting unhelpful and unfounded ideas.
Hope you feel better soon, Mary.
Thanks, Erin!
I'm sorry you've been ill. It's good you are practicing self-care and some nature therapy.
Thanks, Heide!
Glad you are on your way to feeling better! It also makes me think that sometimes we may need to "convalesce" from not only illness but to recharge our brains or bodies. A day resting in the yard to gain 'strength' for the week ahead! Have a good week. xo
Yes - exactly! That's an excellent point, Sara. Hope you have a good week too! xo
I hope you feel all better soon! Glad you were able to spend some time outside today 😊
Thanks, Angela. Being outside always helps!