We Go Through Life at Our Own Pace

I hate when sickle cell disease gets in the way of life, although I feel its effects 24/7. There is no escaping the symptoms, such as fatigue and chronic pain, which are less intermittent than the pain crises. But most times I can live with it, I can manage it, and I know how to work around it.

However, once in a while my sickle cell symptoms are far too great to ignore, and I have to put my plans on hold to give my body all the time and undivided attention it needs.

It becomes very frustrating at times. When I have to put my plans on pause and can’t complete what I set out to do, it almost feels as if I am not living to my full potential. In fact, I feel slightly jealous when I see others easily doing the things I want to do.

Having a chronic illness means accepting that our body has limits and may be unable to handle certain things, which I find very difficult. Life tends to be fast-paced. We are told we need to work hard and push ourselves for the things we want, but in my case, this isn’t always possible.

I must accept that my body works differently than the bodies of those around me, and I need to act with my best interests at heart, which means not always following the crowd.

I need to remember that even if I achieve everything I work hard for, it won’t be rewarding if I neglect my health in the process. I do not want to compromise my health for anything. It must always come first!

I try to remind myself that there is no right way to go through life. There is no golden example to emulate. I just have to do the best I can, and things will eventually fall into place. I need to stop getting distracted by other people’s journeys and focus on my own.

We go through life at our own pace. Whatever that pace may be, we are still taking steps forward and should be proud of how far we have come.

Do you ever feel pressured to do more than you can handle? Do you ever compare yourself to a healthier version of yourself? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

***

Note: Sickle Cell Anemia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sickle Cell Anemia News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sickle cell anemia.