living your best life possible – choices

/ simplywendi
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Almost every single person who is diagnosed with a chronic illness is forced to give up something.  And if we are to be deeply honest, it is usually a bucket filled with somethings.  It sucks, there is no other way around it.  But, this doesn’t mean that our lives are not worth just as much as they were before,  things are just different.

Sometimes we are forced to give up something after our diagnosis and sometimes we choose to give up things that we believe will make a positive impact in our lives.

So, my question for the week is, What is one thing that YOU have chosen to give up that has had a positive impact on your life?

Thank you so very much for sharing!

78 thoughts on “living your best life possible – choices”

  1. Once I had to say no to coffee, alcohol, sour fruit and and and. It was hell. Now I can eat all that again.

    I don’t eat unhealthy food any more, which was my best choice ever.

    I had to give up spicy food as well, sth I’m not really happy about. I can eat it on and off but not daily as I used to.

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    • Thank you so very much Bojana for your willingness to share. It is SO hard to give up so many things that bring us joy. I am thrilled that you are able to consume most of it again………and eating healthy does help out all conditions………I hope today is being good to you!

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  2. For me, it was helpful to let go of the hope I’d been holding onto that I could go back to the life I lived when my illness was last in remission. Acceptance has helped in shifting the focus to what I can do to make my life more meaningful as it is now.

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  5. I give up a lot of what we call treats (candy, ice cream, cakes, pies, cookies, etc). Not all, mind you, and that adds to my symptoms. I’m not good at giving up what I should. This ol’ flesh of mine likes to hang on too tightly. 😕

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      • Wendi, your questions are always the type that “stick with” me. I’ve mulled over your question and have come up with several other things I’ve had to give up – healthy things, like swimming. But the trade-off has been so worth it. God is closer when I draw near to Him.
        And yes, may we live with no regrets come next week! 😊
        Happy Thanksgiving!

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      • Thank you so very much Kathy for your kind words 🙂 I am so very sorry that you had to give up swimming, that must be a huge bummer! But I love how you have become closer to God…….that is always a great thing. Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving week.

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  9. I have had to watch hubby give up one thing after another, activities, favorite foods, etc. etc. It’s hard and it does suck, big time. The one silver lining is that when others were complaining about the restrictions this pandemic has caused them we were not much affected. We’ve been living a quiet, simple life for a few years now – though I miss being able to have our adult children and friends over for a meal. That one hurt. I am trying but cannot think of the positive impact from so much giving up, but it did make us appreciate the little things so much more. So there’s that.

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    • It is so lovely to “hear” the love in your words for your husband. It must be very difficult to watch the one you love have so much taken from him. I understand about the restrictions as it did affect us as we have kids still at home, it was not as devastating as it was for many as we live much more simple lives due to living on a tight budget and not feeling well enough many days to do much……….Prayers sent up for both of you this evening………..I hope you had as good of day as possible.

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      • Wendi, your kindnesses are like balm for my soul. I’ve been M.I.A. quite often of late, with numbers continuing to climb and nothing but bad news constantly I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed. Your words and especially your prayers are such a comfort.

        I guess we all know how difficult this thing is, especially when it’s not cut off at the pass. Unfortunately our provincial government has not done all it could to keep this from happening, focused on the economy as they are. Every day that my hubby has to go to hospital for his treatment (3x a week) is a day we are holding our breath and praying he will not be exposed. I know we are far from alone in this situation and I hate to complain, but, it is getting heavier and harder to carry.

        so thank you, Wendi, for your support and care and most of all for your prayers. I know you have a lot on your own plate so I doubly appreciate your caring words. Stay safe my friend, I will be praying for you as well.

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      • Oh Carol, your kind words brought tears to my eyes. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers and as I have written before, it is truly my pleasure…….if you would like me to sent you a letter or card I would be so pleased to do so. Just leave me an email (and let me know that you did so I can look for it) and I will get one out to you and/or your husband.
        Thank you for your prayers, I absolutely treasure them! Sending you love, light and many blessings from above.

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  11. I have made changes in my life because both my knees had to be replaced due to my rheumatoid arthritis. I wouldn’t call it sacrificing as it has made my life better; I am walking a lot daily. Before that I couldn’t walk much at all. So it is an improvement all in all.

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  12. Hi Wendi, I have recently been diagnosed with work related stress and pressure high blood pressure. It is a complete nuisance as my BP is only high when I work. The rest of the time, on the medication, it is very low which makes me feel tired. I am now taking one pill during the working week and only half when I’m not working. I am drinking much more water now [so gave up some of my lovely tea] and I’ve also given up full cream diary products.

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  13. Probably one loss I regret the most is the ability to be spontaneous. Just after TM, I had to rest before and after any event, so I couldn’t just up and go somewhere without planning. Nowadays IBS is the worse culprit and an even bigger detriment to spontaneity. I don’t like to go out all that often anyway, but I regret for my husband’s sake that I need some notice before any excursion.

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    • I am so very sorry Barbara…………..I completely understand the loss of spontaneity and it stinks! always having to plan everything and even then it may not work out is a huge bummer not just for us but also our families. I hope today is treating you well……….thank you so very much for your willingness to share.

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  14. I have had strong seizures at times. Depending on how messed up I am afterwards and the opinion of the Doctor(s), my driving privileges’ might be suspended for 6 months or so depending on my recovery.
    I don’t drive much so this doesn’t really rock my boat.
    have a great day Wendi

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  15. Giving up nuts has improved my symptoms. I do still let myself have things like hazelnut chocolate and pesto from time to time but the hardest thing was peanut butter 😭 I don’t really think about it anymore though and I think I’m doing okay xxx

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  16. Thank you for sharing!!.. I am never forced to give up happiness…should something happen (health, economics, etc.) that means I cannot do something I would normally do, I adjust as needed… if I cannot do a certain thing at all, I simply find something to take its place… “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” (Alexander Graham Bell )… 🙂

    Hope all is well and have a wonderful holiday filled with peace, love and happiness!!… 🙂

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  18. Friends who aren’t supportive, is the biggest thing I gave up that has been a huge positive in my life.
    I tried so hard to hold on to our group of friends when I got sick, but it just wasn’t worth it. They weren’t interested, or able, to change the type of relationship we had. I could no longer do the things we used to, and I could no longer hear in groups. I have no hard feelings….ok, that’s not exactly true, I do have some, but not many. I realize that our lives simply went in different directions, but it hurt, a lot.
    You don’t need to be hurt by your “friends”, when you feel that over and over, it’s time to stop trying.
    Now I have friends who got to know me after I got sick, and they are some of the best people in the world. I’m so grateful for these people.

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    • This is wonderful Wendy! Having/finding friends who “get you” and are willing to love you through your ups and downs is an incredible blessing and I am SO happy you have found those people!!!! 🙂 Thank you for sharing………

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  19. Great question, Wendi but I don’t think I can answer this one. I’m one stubborn cuss and still haven’t let go of what would help me. Ask again in the spring. This year has been the one that has left me with little desire for anything but soothing myself. Deep sigh here.

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  20. This is a hard one. I had to walk away from a family member because of the way they were emotionally abusing my children with their cruel ways. It still hurts because I so wanted them to change their ways but when I set boundaries and rules with their behaviors towards my kids they just stepped up their abuse so I had no choice but to leave. It has been years now and my kids are no longer little. They have come a long way. Sadly anyone that was close to this toxic family member of ours did not do as well and they struggle now as an adult. Emotional abuse is hard to prove but it also can do so much damage. I pray for them all the time and hope they start turning their lives to happiness of course. I miss what could have been but seeing my kids and how far they have come answers the question to whether I did the right thing. I am still holding out that one day this family member will realize the pain and hurt she caused for so many over the years and make amends…maybe, I just keep her and others in my prayers for now. Hope you and yours are having a beautiful Thanksgiving day.

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    • this must have taken a lot of bravery and I am so very proud of you for putting your children first! so many people do not do this and as you mentioned, it messes them up as they become adults. removing toxic people, especially family members is very, very difficult………I pray for those who are like this in my family too……..thank you so very much for sharing this, i think a lot of people will be able to relate to it.
      Hope your Thanksgiving was blessed……

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  21. Due to health problems, I had to give up my last job, being no longer physically able. But it has been a blessing in disguise! I started this blog, got reunited with my love for writing and met some pretty wonderful people here! I’m so thankful to have met you, Wendi!
    Happy Thanksgiving!🍁🦃

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    • Oh Renee, I am so very sorry that you had to quit your job. I know how difficult that this mentally and financially. But, I am THRILLED that you are here on WP to be a blessing to me and so many others that you communicate with! Thank you so very much for sharing!

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      • Thank you so much, Wendi! I think it was a blessing in disguise. God always provides, and He works in mysterious ways! I’m so glad He led me here! What a great community we have! You are definitely a blessing to me! Love you friend! 💜🤗

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