Beginning Life After Death

If you're like me and have survived a long, agonizing illness... well, let's face it, I'm not going to draw a large audience with that line.

If you've faced a huge obstacle in your life and have done your best to overcome it, we've got something in common. Cheers! We made it, right? Maybe not completely.

Your life may seem like it is still upside down, though now there may not be a scientific name to blame it on. Sometimes this can result in self blame although this need not be the case. Our minds are our most valuable assets, after all.

Drudging through youth (or our salad days, if you grant me a Mac DeMarco reference) is exceedingly difficult, and can remain so despite a discontinuation of physical symptoms. It's hard to be enthusiastic about beginning real life when everything else has been exhausting. I get it.

Growth after a life-altering illness or hardship is difficult for anyone, even the most resilient of us. Though many valuable lessons can be learned through pain, there are a few negative concepts that can stick.

One of these is a lack of empathy. Some of us are able to drive through our pain and show other people the same quality of care they received themselves (or maybe the care they were never given). On the other hand, some of us seem to be stuck in bitterness, negativity, and insist that the people who are blessed with happiness are undeserving. (Show of hands, anyone?) I'll be the first to admit that afflictions have not always helped me become a better person. The key is not to entertain defeat for long, if at all.

When constant concerns of wellbeing are still an issue, it can be hard to find and maintain motivation. It may feel as if you are trapped in midair, not quite falling backwards but making no palpable progress. This signals the need to imitate the intellectual: finding new, stimulating activities that divert the mind might just be our saving grace.

Arts and crafts are an excellent way to involve both the sensible and creative portions of our minds. I have spent years pursuing hobbies to enjoy keeping busy; I resorted to making jewelry, knitting, sewing, learning new musical instruments, reading, writing, and practically every activity I could enjoy from the comfort of my home. Though reclusive productivity is fantastic, investing in friendships also provides a boost.

Surrounding yourself with people who take the time to understand your past and support your climb to the future is crucial. Socializing may seem like the last thing on your mind, but trust me, it is worth it.

You, me, and the next guy might not be "there yet." But there. Is. Time. We're all trying to become the future person we see ourselves as, anyway—some of us have just had to take a few extra steps.