Creating a Sustainable Routine with Chronic Illness & Pain

Who wants to start the new year off strong with a sustainable routine, with chronic illness & pain??

In today's episode, we discuss,

1. A few common challenges & obstacles we can face when creating & sticking to a routine

Lack of motivation, unpredictable symptoms & pain levels, struggling to accept our limitations and new life. 

2. A few key things Amanda believes are vital before we dive into our routine creation & execution. 

• Our why for creating our routine is as important as the routine itself
• Approaching our routine as if we were not chronically sick, will always end in failure, sadly. 
• There is no one size fits all approach to routine with chronic illness & pain
• Any changes, including implementing a new routine take time, repetition, discipline and most importantly self-compassion & grace.
• We must adapt along the way & become flexible in our approach.

A routine is NOT the same as a schedule. Amanda dives into the difference and why it is crucial for our routine creation. 

3. Lastly, Amanda gives you a number of steps to help you begin the routine creation process. 

Become aware of our current habits & beliefs, whether they are healthy or harmful. Amanda suggests to anyone who has not listened to season 2, episode 6, "How to recognize unhelpful habits & limiting beliefs holding you back from real change with chronic illness & pain." Go have a listen as she goes into detail about the importance of our habits & beliefs. 

Listen to Season 2, Episode 6, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/embracing-the-pain/id1616242542?i=1000592476439

Listen to season 2, episode 6, on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4v5xmyTnsB50UfygojAu61?si=e42WmZvvQw2LLQWDqvPZOA

Accept our ongoing obstacles & challenges when trying to create sustainable change, via a routine. Amanda knows how difficult acceptance can be and she strongly encourages you to listen to season 1, episode 3, Accepting our limitations and new life. 

Listen to Season 1, episode 3 on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/embracing-the-pain/id1616242542?i=1000555529660

Listen to Season 1, episode 3 on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FA9XBuAMlpgHxBVCnzboD?si=rfE2nBgZSE-VbXnCR7d58A

Know your personal, social, financial, relational & health goals or intentions. Why you have chosen those intentions and goal also matter greatly.

Bring awareness to your current routine(s). Believe it or not, you already have a routine. What do you like? What aspects of your day-to-day life keep you up at night, worried and disappointed?

Approach our routine creation from a place of awareness around our circumstances, challenges, symptoms & our variations, day to day.

What do our good days typically look like?

Would you want to approach your better more managed days differently, if so how?

Same for your harder, less managed days, what would you like to shift?

How do you want to feel in those harder moments and days? How can your routine support those desires and goals?

Implement one aspect of your routine at a time. Focusing on one habit & belief that we can shift or redirect is vital.

Be realistic & intentional. Again keep in mind your current capacity. Not your ideal capability. If we want a routine that works for us & our bodies we must draw within the lines. So think of your routine as a way to give you & your body the best chance at seeing real, lasting, transformative change.

Focus on tasks or aspects of a routine that will enable you to take some of the control back. While honouring our realistic abilities & capacity. Again why starting by implementing one component of our routine is so vital. 

Don't rush the process & if possible enjoy the process of unbecoming and becoming more of who you desire to be. 

Acknowledge routines are not meant to confine or restrict you, but rather enable you to live a life you enjoy, love & promote improved health. 

Get support & accountability. We all need support on our journey and creating and sustaining a routine with illness and pain is no exception. So find a space where you can receive guidance, and accountability, and implement your routine. 

We hope this episode helps you get your routine creation started and please know Amanda is always available via email, social media & our website.

Email Amanda: [e-mail]

Learn more: https://www.embracingthepain.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracingthepain_1dayat_a_time/

Follow ETP Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/wellness.with.illness.one.day.at.a.time/

Thanks for tuning in and we are excited to bring you a NEW season in March 2023. 

Much care,

Amanda Grabb