Bumpy start to the New Year 2023

It’s been a bumpy start to my New Year.  I was lucky enough to get sick.  I know many of you or your loved ones were/are also sick over the Christmas holiday and now into the New Year. 

(Co-vid, Flu, Colds, sore throats, RSV, and many other ailments are running amuck.) And I want you to know you are not alone.  Aren’t we done with all this yet?

I ended up having a viral pink eye.  This is no ordinary pink eye I have ever experienced.  It came on suddenly like a hot poker to my right eyeball waking me up out of a deep sleep.  It was quite disconcerting.  I had a restless night to say the least.  Apparently, you can get a mild case or a severe case that affects your vision.  I had the later. 

A trip to the minute clinic ended in a prescription for antibiotics for a possible sinus infection and eye drops.  I thought that was great, I'll feel better tomorrow.  Pinkeye no big deal. 

Two days later no improvement with my vision getting worse.  It was very scary.  I could not read my phone, watch tv, be in bright light, drive my car, or keep my eyes open for any length of time.  So, I basically could do nothing that I could usually enjoy or at least keep me distracted when I am normally home sick.  

A visit to the eye doctor and new drops, slowly started to improve the pain and redness.  The whites of my eyes were blood red.  Cue the vampire movie montage.  But it took another 3 days for my eyes to get clearer and clearer.  There was a point in the car when my husband was driving me so I could get to the studio and check something out, and I just burst into tears.  He said, “what’s wrong?"  People get sick. 

A-HA.  Yes! We do!  And isn't that just a fact.  This hit me and was exactly what I needed to hear to put things into perspective.

I was just frustrated and feeling helpless. 

No one wants to get sick or see a friend or family member sick.  But we are human, and sickness happens.  Never when you are ready for it.  

In my mind, I was worried about how behind I was from these days of total stillness. Or doing nothing. The most nothing ever!  I can't even remember the last time I had so many days of nothing in a row.

All the worries came rushing in! New Years has traditionally been a fresh start for me.  I enjoy it very much. That was ruined by this sickness.

​There is an awful lot of internal pressure we put on ourselves.  All the plans, work, stuff I needed to be accomplished will still be there for me to get back to no matter how long it may take.

This is all in our minds. This feeling of getting behind, not being able to keep up, or not being able to take time to take care of ourselves.  

We have to change our thinking.  Because it’s not true.

This is a story we tell ourselves.  SO many of our stories are harmful to our well-being.  What story are you telling yourself about something that is going on with you right now?

This week I’m probably going to have to take things slowly.  I am going to accept that.  It just is.  My eyes are way better but not yet 100% and sometimes injuries and illness take time to recover from.  We don’t get to choose how much time it takes.

Attitude, Mindset, Self-Talk, asking for help all contribute to us recovering. 

Practicing yoga, meditation, self-care, and mindfulness gives us the resilience to handle these situations when they present themselves.  

By getting into a habit of exploring and practicing these habits regularly, we fill ourselves up to be ready for the challenges that will come in life no matter how they present in our lives. 
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Be well and take care of you! Let me know how you are doing in the comments below.  What do you do to help you get through a difficult time?
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Love,
Denise