Thirty, flirty, and thriving… I’m putting less emphasis on the number and middle word and paying more attention to the third. I turned 30 years old a few days ago, and it got me thinking, what does it mean to thrive?
Someone recently asked me if I was afraid to turn thirty. Afraid? No. If anything, motivated. Turning a milestone age can be difficult for people for a variety of reasons. I see it as an opportunity to be the next best version of myself.
Let's be clear— there have been numerous occasions of comparing myself to others. Why does so-and-so have it so easy? Or, how come I am x and they are y? Social media fuels that mostly.
MG can open a floodgate of emotions and you start to zero in on how this disease holds you back or the injustice of it. BUT, I try to reel myself back in and have some perspective. I have lived with myasthenia gravis for 20 years now basically, and it has been a wild ride. But each day I am grateful to move forward, even when I’m couch-bound.
Other than the basic fundamentals of surviving, thriving looks different for each person. I started to jot down what it means to thrive, particularly living with myasthenia. I furthered this reflection by writing down ways to achieve such prosperity.
To thrive with myasthenia gravis in my life means…
1. Having a disease that is well-controlled
Work with my care providers on a regular basis.
Reduce stress as much as possible i.e. eliminating toxic people, breaking down tasks, having multiple plans when plan a isn’t achievable.
2. Utilizing treatments that are minimally invasive, less time consuming, and most effective
Educate myself on current and emerging therapies.
Research and learn how to take a holistic approach to my wellbeing.
3. Having manageable symptoms
Create a good work-life balance.
Carve out time for rest and rejuvenation.
Work towards reducing feelings of guilt and shame about the disease.
4. Living independently
Find creative ways to reach financial independence.
Break down tasks and responsibilities.
Research tools and brainstorm ways that can help make physical tasks easier.
5. Getting back to doing the things I love and the things I am passionate about
Don’t let fear get in the way of your goals and dreams.
Give yourself permission to do the things that “don’t need to be done.”
Embrace what you can do, not what you can’t.
Life comes at you fast, and before you know it, you’re 30! I know, I know; that is still young. But I will say I do have a few years under my belt when it comes to myasthenia, and I do believe we can all thrive with this disease in spite of the curveballs it can throw us. Be the author of your own plotline, not myasthenia.
The following blog post was written by Meridith O'Connor, St. Louis Program Coordinator of the Myasthenia Gravis Association.
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