Staying productive with chronic pain
I've been in pain for the last decade. Not always the same variety of pain, not always to the same degree, but always in pain. It's an incredibly draining state-of-being that has been a constant shackle on my life choices.
So, whether you're in a similar position or not, I'd like to share how I make life a bit more bearable and do my best to stay productive despite it all.
Every effort counts
Recalibrate your threshold for achievement. Each day I manage to pull myself out of bed once again to take on the world, I commend myself for not giving up. Getting the laundry done, doing exercise – what were trivialities before are now triumphs.
As VTuber Mori Calliope puts it:
idk man I just think every day if you're alive and doing something, that's great. Idk man, if no one else is proud of you then fuck it, I am.
Get better dreams
Finding that your dream has become out of reach due to circumstances beyond your control is crushing. But down is not out. Maybe you can't become an astronaut, but you can become something astronaut-adjacent. Or maybe there's an entirely different path you hadn't considered.
In my case, upon finding that my condition was incompatible with my work, I retrained to change careers into something that could accommodate it. It was a long play, but the smartest move I've ever made.
Prioritise work-life balance
Chronic pain makes every hour of your life worse, so you need more free hours to feel properly rested.
To that end, I cannot recommend enough downsizing to a four-day work week. Not every company will approve it, but they do exist – I'm happy to say that I've successfully requested it in my last two roles. It is truly life-changing, allowing me to catch up on exercise, access healthcare and spend more time on my hobbies.
Treat yourself
Get yourself something nice each day, because each day you make it through deserves a reward.
I used to live like a monk, but since entering survival mode I've always made sure to allocate myself a cheesecake or coffee to keep my morale up. You're worth it!
Do actually exercise
Exercise, as miserable as it can be while in pain, is still a necessary pillar. Pick a day for exercise, and stick with it – rain or shine, make it happen.
I try to make it as easy on myself as possible. Usually I'll work out at home whilst watching TV. On a good week, I'll exercise multiple times, but it is critical that you maintain at least one immutable, no-excuses day to keep up the habit.
Misery likes company
Make an effort to get out and socialise so that you're not alone with your pain.
Some of the best relief I've had from pain is to hang out at my local art club or language exchange. I remember vividly this one chap who came to the art club to draw a donkey he'd adopted. I was so mesmerised by his arguments of why his was the best donkey in the sanctuary that I positively forgot all the troubles I'd come in with.
Life comes in seasons
Things may suck right now. But there is no winter without spring. Your spring will come.
I used to draw in all my free time – indeed, I could've been a cartoonist – but eventually had to give it up due to pain. Years later, though, I had become better at managing my condition and picked up the paints again. It took months of short sessions, but the end result was probably some of the best art I've ever produced.
If you thought this was a jolly good read, then the excellent news is that there is a mechanism below for obtaining more of it. With any luck, see you in the next issue where again, I'll talk about Whatever.