Living With Chronic Illness - The Interesting Life Plan

The Interesting Life Plan

A few years ago, let’s say seven or eight, I decided that what with one thing and another (in other words, debilitating illness) my life was not interesting enough.

Now, it’s not that I wasn’t busy.  But something was lacking.  I wanted to be engaged.  I wanted to look forward to something.  I wanted some variety and color.  I wanted a little less predictability and a little more of the unexpected.

So, I came up with a plan, my great master plan encompassing all other plans.  And I called it my "Interesting Life Plan".  (You are overwhelmed by the creative title, I can tell.)  I've told you before that I like lists - right?  Well, this is like my grandmother list - the list that begets all others.  That sort of thing. 

I came up with the plan and I followed it pretty well.  And guess what? It worked.  My life actually did become more interesting. And my level of health had not changed.  I was just directing my energies in a more concentrated way.

Use Any Method You Want - List, Mindmap, Blueprint, Etc...

I won’t share all of my personal particulars.  Should you have a sudden longing for a more varied or meaningful existence, I am sure that your plan will not look exactly like mine.  I mean, how many people are interested in reading math and history textbooks?  How many people actually think that makes life more interesting?  OK, we all agree to disagree.  (Actually, I didn't get very far with that particular goal - so maybe we do agree after all.)

Nevertheless, I am going to share the structure of my plan with you, the strategy.  It’s not terribly specific.  It’s just a general outline.  You fill in the blanks.

The Interesting Life Plan

1.      The first thing to think about is what you need less of in your life, what you want to reduce to make room for something else.  Things like:

·         Media: mindless TV, internet surfing/computer time, phone time

·         Time spent in bed

·         Time alone with your negative thoughts

·         Alone time period

·         People time

·         Time spent being anxious

·         Etc

Don't Overwhelm Yourself

In my current plan I only have two of these picked out.  That is key – don’t overwhelm yourself with too many expectations all at once.  In my plan I want to limit (not completely get rid of) my media consumption.  And I want to spend less time in bed whenever possible (that one is pretty easy because whenever it is physically possible for me to spend less time in bed, I do so.)

2.      Then Identify what you want more of, what you want to increase in your life.  Think about things, activities, values, qualities, people, places, etc… This list might include:

·         Reading

·         Art

·         Culture

·         Spirituality

·         Generosity

·         People time

·         Love

·         Friends

·         Hospitality

·         Leaving the house

·         Alone time

·         Thinking time – no media distractions

·         Learning

·         Travel

·         Work

·         Volunteering

·         Helping others

·         Laughter, Etc…

 Again, as with number 1, don’t go crazy.  Choose a few things that you desire more of, which would also make your life more interesting, enjoyable, productive, or meaningful.  Focus on these things in the coming months or even years.  When you are ready for a change, you can rework your plan.

Do you want more reading, laughter, nature, or travel?

Also, be as specific as possible.  How often do you want to do this?  Once a week?  Once a month?  Every day?

3.   3.  Next you may need some lists to add to part 2.  For example, do you want to find ways to be more generous?  Then make out a list of ways you can do this – at various levels of illness (so upswings and downswings are not a barrier).   Add the list to your plan.

On one of my Interesting Life Plan’s I decided that I wanted to leave the house by myself several times a month.  This was important to me because I was just coming up out of a bad relapse and going anywhere alone still scared me.  I wanted the satisfaction of conquering my fear and feeling more independent.  So – I made a list of about 30 places around town I could go by myself - some of them I was already comfortable with, some of them were pushing my comfort zone.

4.      Seriously, keep in mind your current level of health while compiling this plan.  Make the plan something you can start now – not something you can’t get to for months or years.  And as your health changes, adjust your plan.

When In Doubt, Consult The Plan

5.      Keep your list in a place where you will see it often.  Maybe on your wall.  On your door.  In your phone.  In the front of your journal.  Or all of the above.  Keep it close.  I don’t know about you, but I need the constant reminder.

Conclusion

So that’s me all interestig’d up.  (Yes I know that is not a word.  I’m feeling frisky today.  Actually – It’s night.  Late night.  That explains everything.) 

But seriously speaking – when I work this plan it really does work for me.  I really do have a better social life, more interesting pastimes, and more productive days.  I have more to think and talk about – instead of the same old monotonous thoughts.  Sometimes you have to stir your brain cells up a little.  You know, if you don’t use it you lose it. 

And now it’s your turn:  

What would your interesting life plan look like, or what does it currently look like?



More from Laina Laughing

Coping With Chronic Illness posts: 

It's OK to grieve your losses
Knowledge is power
Do not eat, breathe, and sleep your illness
Part 1 - Friendship is a basic human need (the dilemma)
Part 2 - Friendship is a basic human need (who can be a friend?)
Part 3 - Friendship is a basic human need (10 ways to be a good friend while chronically ill)
Part 4 - Friendship is a basic human need (How to be a friend to a friend who is chronically ill)
2 Reasons why lying keeps you sick
Let go of the dream, accept reality, and be happy (it breaks your heart and then rebuilds it)
Accepting reality - what it does NOT mean
3 Ways to advance in a new direction
18 Ways to ward off sadness
I Can't Do It Alone
Talk.  And Talk Some More.
You Do Not Need To Justify Your Existence
Coping with Chronic Illness - Dealing with Its Unpredictable Nature

Coping With Chronic Illness - Other People Have Problems Too
When I have no brain and no body
Caring too much what people think keeps you sick
Caring too much what people think - how to overcome it.

5 Ways to be a Good Friend to a Friend with a Chronic Illness
Coping With Chronic Illness Exercise - Part 1 - Is it Good or Bad?
Coping with Chronic Illness Exercise - Part 2 - 5 Myths and Facts about Exercise While Ill
5 Ways to Maintain Independence While Chronically Ill  Coping With Chronic Illness - Part 3 - How to Build Strength while Chronically Ill

Coping With Chronic Illness - For Better Health- Laugh!

Living With Chronic Illness - What Decluttering, Organizing, and Simplifying really mean.

Energy Economy posts:

How to get food into our mouths while chronically ill part 1 Food part 2 Food part 3 

Grocery shopping and chronic illness
Wardrobe considerations for the chronically ill - part 1
Wardrobe considerations for the chronically ill - part 2  
15 suggestions for Leaving the house while chronically ill
14 suggestions for cleaning the house while chronically ill
Personal hygiene and chronic illness Dealing with people while chronically ill
12 Ways to simplify your grooming and dressing routines  

10 Ways to COPE with Cognitive Dysfunction (Brain Fog, Fibro Fog)  
10 Ways to COMBAT Cognitive Dysfunction (Brain Fog, Fibro Fog) 

How To Attend Important Events While Chronically Ill 

10 Ways to Make it Through the Summer Heat while Chronically Ill 

How To Declutter While Chronically Ill - Part 1 (The Brain Work)How to Declutter while Chronically Ill - Part 2 (The physical work)

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