03/01/2025
๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ท ๐๐ช๐ฒ๐ท ๐๐ผ ๐ ๐๐ธ๐ธ๐ญ ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐ฟ
Iโve learned that pain isnโt always a bad thing. Itโs my bodyโs way of protecting me, sending me messages that Iโve been paying close attention to lately.
As someone with a family history of diabetes, asthma, skin diseases, and even alcohol-related deaths, Iโve become very aware of how these health issues run in my genes.
But instead of feeling afraid, I choose to take action, not just because I want to avoid suffering, but because I truly want to live a healthier, more vibrant life.
Still, itโs not always easy. We all know how our bodies can crave the familiar, and comforting, even if itโs not the best choice for our health.
There have been many moments where Iโve struggled to choose the healthier option โ moments when I wanted to indulge, like last New Yearโs Eve when I couldnโt resist that fruit salad (even with less sweetened cream), convincing myself that it was โokay.โ
But then thereโs the reality: my autoimmune skin disorder, which usually flares up once a month with my menstrual cycle, often worsens when I consume too many sugary foods, like bread, rice, and sweets.
Itโs not just about the flare-ups; itโs the constant cycle of managing it. When I overdo it, I get those painful, pus-filled blisters on my elbows and fingers, the itching becomes unbearable, and Iโm left searching for relief.
Despite all of this, I keep pushing. I cut back on the things that trigger the flare-ups, use the creams prescribed by my dermatologist, and even drink my ginger and moringa tea for relief. Yet, sometimes, it still gets worse before it gets better.
The other night was one of those times. After indulging in fruit salad on New Yearโs Eve, with pasta and a root beer the following day, the blisters on both of my elbows came back worse than ever.
The pain kept me awake, and for the first time in a long while, I reached for a pill โ something I usually avoid.
Then I realized something important: the pain was reminding my body of its limits.
I have a choice. I can continue to ignore the signals and suffer the consequences, or I can be more mindful of what I put into her.
Yesterday, I woke up with a renewed sense of clarity.
The pain I experienced wasnโt just discomfort. It was a protective measure, a reminder that I have the power to choose how I want to feel. A reminder to honor my bodyโs natural rhythms and tendencies and make choices that align with the healthy life I want to live.
Pain isnโt always a bad thing. Itโs our bodyโs way of saving us from harm. Just donโt become addicted to it.๐
We can learn from it, grow, and make changes that bring us closer to the vibrant, healthy lives we deserve. ๐
