It is brave to stay in my body, it is wise sometimes to leave it
If you are someone who struggles to stay in your body.
If you are someone who has leaned into dissociation as a survival strategy.
If you are someone who struggles to connect with the sensations and language of your body.
If you are someone who encounters deep pain when you touch into your bodyscape so it’s like: okay, why the heck would I even go there?
If you are someone who has been should on to stay with your body as if it’s easy.
If you are someone who has been admonished and shamed for shutting down, numbing out or disconnecting from parts of your body.
This love note is for you.
Gratitude is not required on your chronic pain journey
Gratitude is not required in your journey with chronic pain.
Sure, folks will foist it upon you.
Tell you your pain is a gift.
And it might be.
But the truth, as with most things, is that you get to decide.
And often it’s not as simple as a gift with no sharp edges.
Perhaps it’s easier for someone else to declare your experience a gift when it isn’t theirs to hold.