Don't feel Sorry for Me

You might be surprised to know that I find more positive about being disabled with Rheumatoid Arthritis than negative. I was just thinking about what I'd be doing in my life now if I didn't have arthritis (RA) and the answer would be a resounding- Everything. I'd be my usual perfectionist self. I'd be working, stressing, depending on caffeine and junk food for my highs, feeling guilty for not exercising, and most of all not getting to be with my daughter much.

I mostly love my life right now. I have my ideal sleep schedule (can I just mention, I feel decadent when I hear my neighbors leave early for work and I'm not), I take a nap most days, when I need a break I have to take one, I eat healthy and exercise for health and not vanity, I have time to be playful and creative and enjoy my daughter, I have money coming in. I'm disabled but not to a point that I'm not thankful or not able to enjoy life.

When I think of the time that I'm not working (8 hrs a day x's most days of the week and year) or stressing, I am actually getting more out of life than the average person. It is known that RA may shorten one's life span but really it's added to mine. Going to work for other people was not my idea of living- I did it and it was sometimes fun and rewarding. Getting 8 more hours a day to live my life outside of office walls has expanded my life.

I'm thankful so don't feel sorry for me.