OK, if you haven’t already guessed, I’m an optimist. And yes, our type can get on peoples nerves when we’re too upbeat. Not to say that optimists don’t have their down times. I’ve had many. Some of those darkest times for me were when I was bedridden with ME/CFS. A disease as cruel as ME/CFS plays games with your mind, your psyche and your emotions. The worst of it for me was that I became someone whom I didn’t recognize. It began to erode my sense of self and my self esteem as well as my physical health.
What I took away from that dark place was the knowledge that this sick ME/CFS person was not the full definition of who I was and who I intended to be again. It became a tool – a negative model of what I rejected. I used it as a springboard from which to move upward again. It renewed my commitment to regain my health – one small step at a time. And each step was a little further away from those lowest points.
Did I do this after my first serious depression? Of course not! Type A personalities are quite certain of their methods and need to be clubbed a bit before they admit to being wrong. But after a few low episodes, the optimist blessedly took control and I finally began the slow yet steady ascent back to health.
How to you handle lows? Can you call on your optimist to move you upward again? Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!
Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.
Be Well Again,
Martha
What I took away from that dark place was the knowledge that this sick ME/CFS person was not the full definition of who I was and who I intended to be again. It became a tool – a negative model of what I rejected. I used it as a springboard from which to move upward again. It renewed my commitment to regain my health – one small step at a time. And each step was a little further away from those lowest points.
Did I do this after my first serious depression? Of course not! Type A personalities are quite certain of their methods and need to be clubbed a bit before they admit to being wrong. But after a few low episodes, the optimist blessedly took control and I finally began the slow yet steady ascent back to health.
How to you handle lows? Can you call on your optimist to move you upward again? Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!
Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.
Be Well Again,
Martha
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