Ebb and Flow

Details: Published on Thursday, 03 May 2012 16:00; Written by Gini Briggs

It has been my personal observation that, although anxiety and depression can be diagnosed separately,
each brings some degree of the other. It can also be said that the limitations of chronic illnesses in
general also bring elements of both. In my own life, and my particular cocktail of maladies, I am learning
to accept the ebb and flow of emotions and physical capabilities I have been dealt.

Just last week I was kicking ass with my husband in the seemingly impossible task of clearing out and
organizing our basement. Yesterday, except for a shower, I spent the entire day in bed bemoaning my
miserable existence.

Knowing the low spots will eventually come pushes me to milk the hell out of the uppers, without, of

course, physically overdoing it and bringing on a flare. There is a delicate balance, but it can be done.
Likewise, it is knowing that the good times will indeed return is what carries me through the despair. It
lets me look at the laundry, the dishes, and the toys that have wandered far from their boundaries and
accept them for the present. It may be a few days, but I will once again be able to do more than look at
them. For now, I have to cut myself some slack…jack.

Being Chronically Awesome isn’t easy. That’s not the point. It’s about sharing your successes,
encouraging others with what you’ve learned and not eternally playing the part of Eeyore singing, “Woe
is me.”

When you’re up, be up. Spread it around. Tweet it. Blog it. Post it. Shout it. When you’re down, find
your closest chums to carry you through. You know who they are, the ones that take you from tears
to giggles and snorts and don’t mind listening to you whine a little because they know you’ll return the
favor.

Everyone’s situation is unique. You may find that fighting the downs works for you. Go with it! It has
not worked so well for me. I can say the downs seem to be getting shorter for the most part, and the
ups are lasting longer. Ima gonna go with the flow.

Find your awesome!

Then, for Dod’s sake, tell me about it!

GiniB.