Since my MS diagnosis in 2021, I’ve had to re-think in some ways what “living my best life” actually looks like for me. A lot of the changes I’ve made aren’t dramatic or visible from the outside, but they’ve made a difference to me in managing my symptoms and protecting my energy as best I can. In some ways, changes I’ve made have involved just really “living” when I can and grabbing life with both hands due to the uncertainty of MS.
I was pregnant when I was diagnosed with MS so not only did I have to adjust to the idea of becoming a mum for the first time, I also now had this whole new diagnosis to squeeze in.
2021 was my year of learning, making changes, and just trying to navigate life as best I could and I think sometimes that’s all you can do, your best. Even if your best is just opening one eye in the morning, rolling back over, and accepting defeat. I think one of the biggest changes I’ve made, or I try to make, is learning when to slow down and listen to my body.
This is also probably one of the changes I find hardest and most frustrating. because I want to be a cool mum that’s present, I want to push through the fatigue, I want to push through pain, I want to push through wobbly legs and falls but I’m learning, albeit slowly, to not push through and to build rest into my days intentionally or face the stronger wrath of a plethora of symptoms already floating around.
I’ve made getting a good night’s sleep and sometimes saying “NO” non-negotiables even if it means a tiny bit of FOMO from missing out on cocktail o’clock style late nights these days. That being said, it doesn’t mean I miss out on everything. Hello Harry Styles in June! I’ve just adjusted my plan making or saying “yes” to those that work around MS and Tysabri treatment dates. Some days you’ll catch me in a hospital gown or hooked up to Tysabri with a good book, others you might catch me in full disco ball get up. I still get to enjoy life, probably more so because I understand how precious it is and how you don’t really know what’s around the corner so you should probably do it now (if it’s accessible!). Unpopular opinion but in some ways, I can say an MS diagnosis worked wonders for me in getting me to try new things and live in the moment.
