Tag: writing

Advocates

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A friend of mine was telling me about the struggles her friend is having with her team of doctors, and it reminded me of what another friend told me many moons ago — that only I could be my own best advocate when it came to dealing with doctors. I think this is so true, and it’s something that I have been practicing ever since. Because it does take some practice, especially if you are anything like me and not used to speaking up for yourself, asking questions and, in some cases, demanding better care.

And though, I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the years as I’ve had plenty of opportunities to practice both with good doctors as well as terrible ones (Dr. Wanker!), I like extra advocates in the room with me. I typically bring either a close friend or my mom with me to my appointments as they can be a little complex at times. So, the more ears I have listening, the better!

And in addition to the extra set(s) of ears, I often make a list of questions or things I need the doctor to do for me before my appointments, because 1) I have a tendency to forget in the moment and 2) I know I only have a finite time with the doctor. Typically I only have like 10-15 minutes (or sometimes even less) with the doctor, and I am just one of probably 20 or more patients that they are seeing that day. They’ve got a lot on their minds, juggling multiple cases, reviewing charts, and staying updated with the latest medical advancements. Even the really good doctors that can put all their attention on you for that 10-15 minutes can still get distracted by unforeseen circumstances or urgent matters that might arise during the day. This is why a list is a great tool to keep me on point and make the most out of my visit. It not only helps me stay organized but also ensures that I address all my concerns without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Annnnd I’ll typically review my list with my advocates prior to the appointment, so we’re both on the same page and they can help me remember anything I may have forgotten. Their support is invaluable, as they often think of additional questions or details that I might overlook, ensuring that we are thoroughly prepared to discuss my health and treatments. As they say, two heads are better than one. So between me and my advocate, we can maximize the effectiveness of each visit and make the most out of the limited time we have with the doc.

Taking care of my health can be exhausting and overwhelming. There are times that I just want to ignore it, and I do. But staying on top of it is kind of rewarding, because I’m actively taking care of me and making myself a better, stronger person.

Procrastination

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It’s the absolute worst, but I do it all the time—procrastinate. Usually over things that will not even take that long to do. I’ll find myself doing dreaded chores like washing the dishes or putting away laundry or even paying bills to avoid the one thing that I should be doing. Then when I finally manage to do it, it never fails that I think to myself, “Why on earth did I wait so long to do this? That took like two seconds?!”

I think for me, I build up this story in my mind that whatever the task may that I’m putting off, say like doing my daily 20 minutes of writing, is going to be super hard and will just take up way too much time. So, I start this point counterpoint conversation with myself that can drag on for what seems to be a lifetime. Here’s just a little sample of tonight’s back and forth over completing my 20 minutes of writing for today:

It’s only 20 minutes which is not that much time at all. Well, I want to let my brain rest of a bit after working all day, I’ll get to it in a bit.

Three hours of “resting” later.

What am I going to write about today? I don’t really have anything to say…maybe I’ll just write a bunch of gibberish and not actually post anything today. I didn’t actually commit to posting on my blog every day. Just writing 20 minutes a day. Well, that’s nonsense, I can always figure out something to write about, it may not be the most of exciting of topics, but I can figure something out. Always. And if I’m going to be writing, I might as well post it. Well, I’ll just watch one more show, and then I’ll write.

And thus the back and forth conversation continues in my head while doing anything but the task that needs to be completed until I finally say enough and get the bloody task done. Funny enough, today’s topic did finally come to me as I was doing the last bit of procrastination in avoiding today’s 20 minutes writing session. Just never know when inspiration while strike.

Oh, maybe I should think about making a topics list to help with the argument of not having anything to write about. But that’s kind of like a task that I’m sure I will more than likely spend many days procrastinating in getting done….

And just like that 20 minutes has past, and I have another post to share. 🙂

Trip #47 around the Sun

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It’s Day 2 of my 47th rotation around the sun, and I’m buzzing (thank you Love Island UK for the slang!). As a birthday treat to myself and to kickoff my 47th year in a positive and grounding way, I did a chakra balancing massage, meditation and treatment at my favorite day spa, Copper Well Retreat. It was the perfect balance of woo, relaxation, inspiration and rejuvenation that I needed. Within the first 10 minutes of the treatment as I was focusing in on my breathing and connecting with my higher power, the idea of starting to write again settled into my mind. Twenty minutes a day. Every day. For the next year.

I could do this. I’ve written down three things that I’m grateful for every day for the last 1,641 days; I could totally write for at least 20 minutes a day for the next 365 days. I just need to commit to it, because once I say I’ll do something, I do it. Follow it all the way through. I actually just recently learned this about myself when reviewing my Clifton Strengths again with a friend. I did this strengths finder when I was 28 years old – every single strength is still so spot on! It’s a little nuts to me, but that’s a story for another day. Today we’re are focused on commitment. The commitment to chronicle every day of my 47th year.

So, I guess let’s do this. =)