This video from the Optimum Health Clinic that dropped into my inbox last week could not have been more pertinent. As my endless struggle to hold back dominates my recovery this clip perfectly describes just why it is so hard for me (and other acheiver/perfectionists like me) to rest and why, strangely, rest takes more strength than pushing through.
It offers a useful insight and is a helpful reminder for any achiever personalities out there aiming to recover from ME/CFS or just trying to slow down but finding it difficult do to. This is me in a nutshell.
The ingrained behaviour patterns that teach us to override pain and tiredness are nearly impossible to ignore. To always keep soldering on so that nothing is ever missed and no one is ever let down. They become part of the very fabric of who we are. To change them is to change our identity.
Not only this but the very notion of taking rest can be seen as appearing weak or failing.
When actually if you stop to think about it the reverse is true.
It takes more guts, bigger balls, to stop and rest. To quiet those voices in our heads and summon all that strength to go against every instinct you know. To use that power and discipline to hold yourself back.
This is the kind of strength of character I need to foster.
But I do need help (I shouldn’t even be writing this now).
So If I ever seem to be overdoing it or you think I am in need of a general reminder, please just ask me the following question:
Dan, HOW BIG are your BALLS?!
It is one that I will be asking myself until my recovery is complete.
(All forms of reminder are welcome: verbal, text, email, pictorial (is there an emoji for balls?!))
M.E life in a blog 