One Area That I Could Improve In My Life

Summary

The author reflects on personal health challenges and the importance of mental health as part of a writing challenge, acknowledging the need for continuous adjustments to improve quality of life despite physical limitations.

Abstract

In the fifth entry of a writing challenge, the author discusses the importance of self-improvement, particularly in the realm of health. They reveal struggling with health issues that have led to significant weight gain and an inability to work, emphasizing the difficulties in managing these challenges despite various interventions like medication, diet changes, and limited physical activity. The author also touches upon the psychological impact of their health, noting that writing has been a more effective tool for managing mental health than therapy was. They express a desire to live a fulfilling life despite being medically disabled and acknowledge the interconnectedness of mental and physical health in achieving this goal.

Opinions

The author believes that writing has been more beneficial for their mental health than regular therapy sessions.
They express a sense of loss and longing for the physical activities they once enjoyed, such as basketball and swimming.
The author is critical of their weight gain but recognizes that their medications and inability to work have contributed significantly to this issue.
They have a pragmatic approach to self-improvement, focusing on what is achievable within their physical limitations, such as dietary adjustments and mental health management.
The author values the role of mental health in overall well-being, suggesting that it is foundational to managing other aspects of health.
Despite the challenges, the author remains determined to make the most of their situation and improve their quality of life.

We all could make improvements and I’ve identified what I need to improve

Back to the writing prompt after a couple of days off. This is now the fifth day of the writing challenge. I think that after the June MIDFORM Daily Writing Challenge, I’ve had to break up other writing challenges so as to not overwhelm myself. I had to take a few days off since I last wrote my Day 4 so that I could relax, travel to the campsite, get some important things done, and refocus.

Now that I’m back to continue on my writing challenge journey. I’d like to answer the question from Day 5 of Dr. Tracy Davis’ writing challenge: What is one area of my life in which I would like to make improvements and how can I do that?

I had to think about this one for a bit. I have many issues related to my health currently and that’s the first thing that came to my head when I thought about this. The thing is, though, that the second part of the question asks how I could make improvements there.

I’ve tried a lot. I’ve taken different medications, I’ve tried some of the muscle strengthening exercises they’ve suggested to make my back stronger, and I’ve modified my diet enough to where I feel like it was a drastic lifestyle change, but none of that has improved my health in general.

I’m unable to work and the pain is so intense that most physical activity feels way too strenuous, even activities I used to enjoy like basketball and swimming. I wouldn’t dare even try basketball again at this point because of my back and knee. Swimming seems to help sometimes but not enough to make a huge difference. And not many people would want to see me with my shirt off.

That’s another thing about my health. It’s been so bad that my weight in the four years since I last worked ballooned from 235 to 315. I’m carrying an extra 80 pounds that I hadn’t been before I moved to Erie. I’m not blaming that on Erie, necessarily. My medications for diabetes can certainly make me gain weight and not properly adjusting my diet immediately after I was unable to work definitely further contributed to a massive increase in weight gain.

That weight gain has definitely decreased since now that I know what I can and can’t eat in a day. Since I’m unable to move around much, I’m lucky if I can eat more than one meal a day. I love food so that’s very hard for me to believe. The thing is, my health is actually the thing I could most improve and would need to improve but I’m also going to include my mental health in this.

Writing has definitely helped me sort out a lot of my thoughts and feelings and has helped in a way. More so than when I was regularly going to a therapist. I loved going to a therapist but I don’t think it was helping as much as I needed it to.

Our health is very important to continue on in life. I’ve got to constantly adjust and reassess how I’m living. I try everything despite having all of these ailments and being deemed medically disabled to try and live as full of a life as possible.

I can’t do many of the things that I used to be able to. I love sports. I wish that I could still play them. I was a decent sportsman. I think that I already know how to improve my quality of life through health and that I’m achieving this through proper medication, diet, as much physical activity as I can muster, and focusing on my mental health as well. I know that with mental health goes the other stuff.

If I don’t get mental health in order first, the other aspects of living healthier can often fall by the wayside. So I’m just looking forward to continuing to manage my illnesses and mental health and continue to try to make my quality of life as decent as possible given the circumstances.

Day 4:

One Area That I Could Improve In My Life — Day 5

We all could make improvements and I’ve identified what I need to improve

Journaling for Self-Reflection and Personal Growth: 30 Prompts to Start Now

Join me in this challenge!

The Thing I Like Most About Myself Today — Day 4

I was really hilarious in the restaurant today and I’m overcoming adversity better than I expected