Sometimes we’re stuck in an unwanted hiatus or time off. Totally unguarded and unexpectant after 2 years of not getting sick, at the end of 2022 I got COVID-19. I was unable to celebrate New Year’s with friends and family. My Hiatus was a week long. Nevertheless, I was stuck at home feeling sick. When you feel sick 60 seconds might feel like 60 minutes, therefore, being stuck at home feeling unwell was emotionally more draining than other times being sick in the past.
At that point, I realized that I can still make some choices for myself in order to feel better. I can wait it out sad and depressed, or I can choose to do at least one of the things on my to-do list each day. Doing one thing a day might make me feel like I’m progressing toward my goals. It’s not about anyone else but me. Therefore, making a list of the things that I want to accomplish and keeping my word to myself on doing what I set out to do in spite of how, is success to me.
But, how do I make myself do what I don’t feel like doing?
Sometimes in life, you find yourself having to do the dishes. Who in the world enjoys washing dishes every night? Definitely, not me. However, I wash the dishes every night in spite of how I feel. I use the same method in life to make myself do the things that I don’t feel like doing but need to do or should get done in spite of how I feel at that moment.
This very message is an example of one of the things on my list. Though I’m no longer on “hiatus”, I’m still sick. I feel sick and weak, which in turn also makes me feel emotionally drained. In any case, my choice was made under the understanding that doing one thing on my list today would strengthen me emotionally as I feel like I’m still progressing. My day was more purposeful after writing this message too.
Do I feel much better now? Not yet, I might need a few more days for my body to be strong and 100% again. However, my choice to move forward in spite of feeling sick in the end strengthened me emotionally and that always helps you have a better attitude toward the difficult things in life. Doing the dishes in spite of how I feel it’s in the end rewarding.
With much love,
Alicia
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