Remission Motto: "Be Careful"

When I first went to college, it seemed like Mom could only say, “Be careful.” When after years of illness I started entering remission, again, all she could say was “Be careful.” When I visited my ME specialist a few weeks ago and told her how much better I was, she was delighted but said...wait for it...“Now be careful. Don't overdo it.”

I know. But there's so much I want to do and should do. I don't think I ever fully broke the habit of being an overachiever. I just switched to being the best patient I could be. Now that overachieving streak is growing stronger and threatening to reverse the progress that I've very slowly made over the past few years. 

The rule of pacing is to know how much energy you have for the day and exert yourself only that much. Underestimate that amount; never overestimate. Being careful to pace may not always be fun, but it's far better than crashing or relapsing. Now I will do my Mom impersonation: Be careful!   

Photo: Greyerbaby, Pixabay

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Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. If you'd like to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel {a} gmail.com.