the man who owns and runs the thai restaurant in my town knows me by name. he is one of the kindest and most thoughtful men i know. i started ordering from his place back in january, which was when i got my fibromyalgia diagnosis. back then i was using a walker, had limited mobility in my entire body but especially my hands, and was very visibly in pain. i always ordered the same thing: yellow curry with no meat, potatoes and carrots only (i have texture and other dietary issues). he always made it a point to make sure i could get out the door and carry the food safely. he had his workers package the food so that it was easier for me to open. as i kept coming back and i told him a little bit about my health status, he would always encourage me to keep going. he told me about how the spices he used were good for inflammation and began to edit the recipe just for me so that spices that were even better for fighting inflammation were used. he’d give me extra portions and despite the fact that i would tip every time, i realized later that he never charged my card for them. as time went on and my condition began to get better, especially with the help of a physical therapist, he would make encouraging remarks and tell me how happy he was for me. the day i came in without my walker, he practically jumped for joy, and despite my insistence, he gave me my meal for free that day. i continue to make progress with my conditions and i continue to go to the thai place. this man who does not know me personally and who i hardly know anything about is one of my favorite people. it’s interactions with humans like these that make loving life easier. and his curry really does help my chronic condition. it’s comfort food taken to the next level.
Brainwash yourself with good habits. You need to do it the way you would train a dog - fetch the stick and get a treat.
I love listening to music but I also wanted to start listening to podcasts. I have to go to work everyday, and I prefer to drive myself to work and back.
I know that if I make myself listen to podcasts both drives, the habit will last not more than 3 days.
But if I make myself listen to a podcast on the way to work; and listen to my favourite music on the way back home to de-stress and relax; now that’s a healthy compromise. And it works for the long term.
The same goes with social media. I deleted all social media from my phone. I don’t have Facebook, Instagram, or even tumblr on my phone. The YouTube account that I keep on my phone has been very consciously kept; I only allow the algorithm to show me educational stuff like podcasts, history videos, news, psychology, stuff like that. Absolutely no entertainment. I keep all my social media (and my “fun” YouTube account which is basically Korean mukbangs and all sorts of useless beauty hauls that I honestly love to watch) on another device - my iPad, which I use for work. I check out what’s happening on tumblr or YouTube or Pinterest when it’s my lunch break or a coffee break. That’s another healthy compromise that works for me.
Going cold turkey with anything - stopping something addictive like smoking or drinking or suddenly starting a plethora of new habits- doesn’t work. You’ve restricted your mind and body so much that you keep remember the good old days where you drank like a whale and sat on the couch watching rubbish and you glamorise, romanticise and reminisce those times. Now you’re in that dangerous red zone where you know that if you see that bottle or the packet of chips, your body is going to reach for it before your mind can intervene.
Aim for long-term, sustainable albeit small habits, rather than complex overnight habits.
i will get that dream job. the husband. the wedding. the children. a marriage founded on God. he’s not done with me yet. he’s rewriting my story. i’m on God timing.🤍
Being the main character of your life means taking charge of your own narrative, making intentional choices, and living authentically. This doesn’t mean life will be perfect. It means you’re actively participating in your journey, making choices that align with your values, and striving to live a fulfilling life.
Understand yourself. Your desires, strengths, weaknesses, and emotions. What you like and do not like. Reflect on your actions and decisions regularly.
Figure out, decide and commit to the life you want.Both short term and long term. Break these goals down into small steps.
Take action. Don’t wait for things to happen; make them happen.
Every main character faces obstacles. They build you. They show you, and others, how bad you want it. Instead of avoiding challenges, face them head-on. They’re opportunities for growth.
Physical, emotional, and mental well-being are crucial. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, meditation, and adequate sleep can make a huge difference. How you treat yourself is how much you do or do not love yourself.
Surround yourself with positive influences and people who uplift you. Limit exposure to negative media or toxic individuals.
The world is full of knowledge. Always be curious. Read books and take courses. Always learn.
Connect deeply with others. Genuine relationships add richness to life.
Be true to yourself. Don’t live to meet others’ expectations. Celebrate your uniqueness.
Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the good in your life. There is always something to be grateful for. It shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant. How you look at life is what you will attract.
Find balance in work, relationships, and personal time. Create a life that is fulfilling. You are not just one aspect of your life.
Imagine yourself succeeding and achieving your goals. This positive visualization can be a powerful motivator. Live your life as if it is already done.
Life will have its ups and downs. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward.
