Being diagnosed with cancer can feel like being stranded in a deep, dark jungle. Nothing looks or feels familiar. Danger may be anywhere. As a result, you need to find ways to fight for your life. Survival is key.
After surgery and treatment, you might be declared a survivor. As a survivor, you need to adapt your skills to make it through each day. As you physically and mentally heal, thoughts about cancer recurring may consume your world. For this reason, you may remain in survival mode for years. This might cause you to grow weary and discouraged. Especially when you have to figure things out on your own.
Use the skills you gained for surviving a cancer diagnosis to gradually shift from surviving to thriving. Although you can’t get back your old life, you can create your new normal. You might still feel weighed down from all the testing, scans, treatments, medications, doctor visits and other parts of surviving cancer. But, in order to thrive, you need to work on letting go of the past and moving forward.
If you have difficulty creating your new normal, talk with other cancer survivors for insight and ideas. They might suggest starting with a mindset shift. Leave behind a world of cancer. Focus on a life filled with excitement and joy.
Create a vision board of what you want your life to look like. Recite positive affirmations to counter your negative thoughts throughout the day. Write in a journal. Talk with a counselor. Make a conscious decision to do what feels best to move from survivor to thriver.
Give yourself time to adapt. Shifting from survival to thrival mode takes time. You’ll have ups and downs along the way. Go easy on yourself. Things won’t change overnight. They take time.
If you or someone you know is battling cancer, get in touch with Chix 4 a Cause. Learn more about our Gifts of Love program at chix4acause.org today.